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Interior Style
The seats have a stylized M repeated on the seat
backs - a design element repeated at the top of the dash and in the front
grille. The central sections of the seats are upholstered in perforated
Alcantara suede, for optimal breathability and better grip during hard
cornering; Alcantara is also used on the door side panels, the front armrest,
the steering wheel and the gear lever knob.
The interior finishes on the
Sport GT S are a celebration of technology and workmanship. The material used is
the groundbreaking TitanTex, an ultra-lightweight aluminum-coated titanium fiber
fabric, made even more special by specific processing, which gives the material
a high-tech, high-performance look, as well as a shinier, more three-dimensional
overall appearance.
The transmission shift paddles, integral with the
steering column, have a decorative chromed finish that gives their edges
definition; they are also longer in shape, to help provide a good grip even when
the steering wheel is turned.
Aluminum pedals are available as optional
equipment. Specially designed for high-performance driving, they provide
outstanding grip for quick and precise movements on the brake and accelerator
pedals.
The Most Powerful Engine in the Quattroporte Range
Capable of 433 hp at 7,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 361 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm,
it raises the car's performance to unprecedented levels.
These figures
have been achieved not only by modifying the engine's electronic control
parameters, but also through in-depth development of the racing-style exhaust
system, a real jewel of engineering installed only on the Sport GT S version.
The system is controlled by pneumatic valves that open in SPORT mode to
reduce back-pressure in the exhaust; this increases the maximum power available,
and creates a throaty roar at low engine speeds and the full symphonic sound of
a genuine sports car at higher rpm.
The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT
S's Gearbox, Chassis and Suspension
The new Quattroporte Sport GT S
is equipped with the MC-Auto Shift software package for racing-style control of
gear changes.
In MANUAL mode the driver controls the gear shifts of the
ZF automatic transmission directly, and changes are permitted up to the 7,200
rpm redline. For the highest-performance driving experience, an electronic gear
shift indicator in the middle of the driver's display tells the driver the
optimal timing of gear changes; this system is complemented by "Trofeo" style
extra-long shift paddles fixed to the column behind the steering wheel - just as
in our MC12 racecar - which are ergonomically shaped for easier gear changes on
the most demanding roads.
MANUAL SPORT and AUTO SPORT modes both also
provide rev-matching during down-shifts; this, combined with the Quattroporte
Sport GT S's other characteristics, make this a uniquely enjoyable and focused
sport sedan.
The Quattroporte Sport GT S is fitted with a single-setting
racing-style suspension system. Developed to further enhance the car's handling,
it makes the steering extremely responsive.
Additional stiffening of the
suspension by 30% at the front and 10% at the rear, together with a ride height
reduction of 0.4 inches in the front and 1 inch in the rear, provides a
substantial reduction in load transfers and more effective traction during
direction changes.
Weight Distribution
The Maserati
Quattroporte Sport GT S's weight distribution is unique in its category with a
slight bias towards the rear (49% of the weight is on the front tires and 51% on
the rear). This split, unique among sedans in this class, rewards the driver
with superb handling. This set-up was achieved by shifting the engine behind the
front axle to maximize traction and acceleration while also helping to make the
car more stable and balanced.
Brembo Brakes
The new
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S comes with a high performance braking system
developed by Brembo. The 360 mm brake discs benefit from dual-cast technology:
cast iron for the braking surface combined with an aluminum hub. This set up
takes advantage of the consistent performance of cast iron at high temperatures
and from the lightweight benefits of aluminum.
The six-piston fixed
calipers are in a single aluminum block. Monoblock calipers keep their shape
better than two piece caliper sets and offer unbeatable stopping power: the
Quattroporte has the best stopping distance of any luxury sport sedan, which is
an obvious benefit to both performance and safety.
The system is
completed by ABS that helps prevent the wheels from locking under braking, and
EBD that distributes the braking force between the front and the rear axles;
both systems are integrated into the Maserati Stability Program (MSP). This
solution offers excellent performance both in terms of stopping distance and
resistance to brake fade, even under intense use. The Quattroporte Sport GT S's
brakes live up to the standards you would expect from a Maserati sedan.
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications