Detroit 2009: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is a mouthful

Maserati says that its new Quattroporte Sport GT S "sets another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment," and it also appears to be trying to set a record for one car's syllable allotment. Suitable then that it takes more than just a couple of changes to be able to append that "S" to the regular Quattroporte Sport GT.

Torque remains the same, but the 4.8-liter V8 is cranks out 433 hp, eight ponies over the regular model. And you get that horsepower a tad later – the engine's rev limit is 7,200 rpm, but you won't get every one of those ponies in action until 7,000 rpm. The transmission software has also been recalibrated for more engaging shifts in three different modes. The suspension has been lowered, stiffened, and imbued with passive damping for higher cornering speeds and improved response. And the sport exhaust has pneumatic valves that render a "deep, throaty, and captivating sound" through large, twin-oval tailpipes.

Aesthetically, the Maser's big black snout gets concave vertical fins and a trident with red trim, the headlights are finished in metallic titanium, and the door handles are body-colored. Inside, new M-design seats come in perforated leather paired with Alcantara, and a standard trim called Titantex, which must have come from the marketing department. Slightly cheesy, but definitely beautiful. The entire package sits on 20-inch wheels. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

PRESS RELEASE

The New Quattroporte Sport GT S

Introduction

The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S sets another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment. Conceived and developed as "a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan", the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati's sportiness in the Quattroporte range.

The uniqueness of the car in its segment is denoted by some important features.

First of all, it truly offers sporty handling thanks to a suspension set-up which further enhances the Quattroporte's already optimal dynamic balance. The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is targeted at those customers who demand the unparalleled handling of a thoroughbred sports car even in a luxury sedan.

Secondly, it features the latest evolution of sporty automatic gear-shifting software, designed to win over committed and demanding drivers, seeking an exciting driving experience.

Last but not least, it is equipped with a sports exhaust which, by means of the "Sport" button, makes it possible to deploy the full power of the engine and produce a deeply enveloping and throaty exhaust note.

Powertrain overview
The technical changes to the new Quattroporte Sport GT S compared with the Quattroporte S concern four areas: the engine mapping, the gearshift management software, the suspension set-up and the exhaust system.

1. V8 4.7 liter engine power is increased to 323kW (433 hp) thanks to the adoption of a sport exhaust system that allows the vehicle's power to be fully exploited;
2. specific gear-shifting software with new features designed to increase driving enjoyment;
3. front and rear suspension featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height
4. sports exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound enhanced by large twin-oval tailpipes.

Engine
The Quattroporte Sport GT S's engine has been developed to favor maximum power output.
Emission levels conform to Euro5 regulations.

Main technical data:
• Displacement: V8 4,691 cc
• Power: 323 kW (433hp) @ 7,000 rpm
• Torque: 490 Nm ( 361 lb/ft) @ 4,750 rpm
• Max engine speed: 7,200 rpm

Exhaust system
• "NORMAL" MODE – FLAPS CLOSED
In "Normal" mode, the valves are closed forcing the exhaust gases along a long route so that they lose their energy and are emitted with very little noise, thus facilitating on board acoustic comfort.
• "SPORT" MODE – FLAPS OPENED
When the "Sport" button is pressed, the valves which were initially closed, open up through a pneumatic control and the flow of exhaust gases are channeled down a route that leads directly to the outside, providing enthusiasts with a distinctive sound, giving voice to the deep and throaty V8.

Transmission
The new Quattroporte Sport GT S is equipped with an automatic six-speed transmission developed with sportiness in mind thanks to the employment of a new and specific gear-shifting strategy: the MC-Auto Shift. Introduced for the first time on this model, it represents the ultimate evolution of the automatic transmission software in terms of sportiness and features specific characteristics which further enhance driving pleasure.
• "MC AUTO SHIFT" mode:
Some of the car's features are exclusively dedicated to those people with an adequate driving experience, and recommended only for the use of the car on the race track and in a situation of complete safety.

In Sport Automatic mode the gearshift technology enables sporty driving. Moreover, in order to optimize standing starts, the automatic gearbox offers the MC Start Strategy, which functions with the MSP off. The driver should press and hold the brake pedal, then start pressing the accelerator and releases the brake pedal only when the optimum revs are reached (between 2300-2500 rpm). This fast start strategy, recommended only for use on the race track and in a situation of complete safety, reduces the 0 to 100 Km/h (0-62 mph) time from 5.3 seconds to 5.1 seconds.
• "MANUAL MODE":
In manual mode the gear-shift is directly controlled by the driver, allowing the engine to reach its top speed.
In order to allow the driver to find the optimum gear-shifting point, the car features a digital "rpm indicator" on the dashboard display (same as on GranTurismo S). Moreover, the paddle shifts (Active Shifting), integrated with the steering column, present an ergonomic layout (same as on GranTurismo S) with effective results in on-the-limit driving conditions on winding roads.
• "MANUAL SPORT"/"AUTO SPORT" mode:
When down-shifting, the throttle blip is matched with the SPORT-mode exhaust sound to facilitate maximum driving enjoyment.

Handling

The Quattroporte Sport GT S features a sporty passive damping suspension system designed to further enhance the Quattroporte S's already state-of-the-art dynamic balance.

The new suspension set-up reduces the front and the rear ground clearance. In addition, the spring stiffness has been increased by 30% at the front and 10% at the rear.

These new features facilitate
• Greater agility when cornering and greater steering wheel responsiveness;
• more grip when exiting corners;
• improved cornering stability.

Style

Exterior
At the front, the sportier, more "aggressive" look of the new Quattroporte Sport GT S is expressed by the new black grille with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents, typical of the sportier versions of Maserati models. It is also further enhanced by the new headlights, in metallic titanium finish.

The Trident logo with red accents also features on the "C" pillar.

The side and the rear of the car feature a new "shadow line", which includes black finishing around the doors, body-colored door handles and black twin oval exhaust pipes.

New 20" Multi Trident Silver wheels are fitted as standard, together with red brake calipers and Dual Cast technology brakes.

The exterior body color range includes all 19 colors available for the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S.

As an option, dark chrome 20" Multi Trident wheels are available, as well as dark chrome 20" seven-spoke wheels and the "Chrome Line", which includes chrome door line, chrome handles and chrome exhaust.

Interior

The sporty look of the interior features new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery.

The standard trim is the new Titantex: designed to further enhance the car's sporty characteristics, this "titanium colored" composite material, provides a light colored trim with a remarkable 3-D effect. The dashboard trim incorporates the "Quattroporte Sport GT S" script.

The steering wheel features the Maserati "Active Shifting" paddles (longer for improved ergonomics).

The new additional digital rpm display on the dashboard indicates when to change gears.

The interior configuration range features 10 leather colors (Avorio, Sabbia, Cuoio, Marrone Corniola, Grigio Ghiaccio, Grigio Medio, Blu Navy, Rosso Corallo, Bordeaux, Nero) which can be combined with 5 Alcantara® shades (Beige, Pearl Beige, Grigio, Blu Trofeo, Nero).

Among the new interior options clients can choose:
• Aluminium sports pedals
• Full leather upholstery, at no extra cost.
• Carbon-fiber interior trim
• Head lining in Alcantara® in a choice of five colors: Beige, Pearl Beige, Grigio, Blu Trofeo, Nero

Technical Specifications*
*US Specifications on separate document

ENGINE Quattroporte Sport GT S
Displacement 4,691 cm3
Bore 94 mm
Stroke 85 mm
Compression Ratio 11 : 1
Maximum Power 323 kW (440 CV)
Engine speed at maximum power output 7,000 rpm
Peak torque 490 Nm
Engine speed at peak torque 4,750 rpm
Max engine speed 7,200 rpm

PERFORMANCE Quattroporte Sport GT S
Max speed 285 Km/h
0-100 Km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration 5.1* s
Stopping distance 100-0 Km/h (62-0 mph) 35 m

FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS Quattroporte Sport GT S
Urban cycle 23.95 l/100 Km
Extra-urban cycle 10.91 l/100 Km
Combined cycle 15.71 l/100 Km
CO2 emissions – combined cycle 365 g/km

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS Quattroporte Sport GT S
Length 5,097 mm
Width 1,895 mm
Height 1,423 mm
Wheelbase 3,064 mm
Front track 1,582 mm
Rear track 1,595 mm
Front overhang 891 mm
Rear overhang 1,142 mm
Turning circle 12.3 m
Boot capacity 450 L
Fuel tank capacity 90 l
Dry weight 1,880 Kg
Kerb weight 1,990 Kg
Weight distribution 49% front. ; 51 % rear.
Tires 245/35 – 295/30 ZR 20

* with MC Start Strategy