Maserati Sport GT S – One Step Beyond
Arriving in Maserati Dealerships now!

It is an exciting month to be a Maserati dealer: not only are the first GranTurismos arriving, but so too are the first of the very limited edition Quattroporte Sport GT S.  Certain auto magazines are very fond of the term “hard-core”. When a company brings out a more sporting variant of an existing model, it is often described as “the hard-core version”, or “this will appeal to hard-core enthusiasts”. It’s a term which isn’t really appropriate when talking about Maserati – can a car with such a luxurious cabin, equipped with double-glazed windows, upholstered in the finest Italian leather and with discreet wood-trim highlights, ever be considered ‘hard-core’?

And yet the new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, which is starting to arrive at dealerships now, may find itself described in just such terms. Rest assured that this doesn’t mean the interior has been stripped out – all the creature comforts you expect from a Maserati are there, such as the dual-zone climate control and the superb audio system. Neither does it mean that the exhaust note will annoy the neighbors and frighten small children – the system fitted to the new model is identical to the existing Sport GT, permitting the car to be wonderfully unobtrusive at low revs while allowing the glorious wail from the 4.2-liter V8 engine to be heard when it heads for its 7,200rpm red-line.

Instead, the Sport GT S seeks to achieve what might seem improbable - improving on the already fine handling of the ‘standard’ car. To this end the Skyhook adaptive damping system has been replaced by conventional shock absorbers and springs, reducing unsprung weight; it has also allowed the engineers at Maserati to lower the ride height, by almost half an inch at the front and an inch at the rear. The changes bring a 25% increase in ride firmness, allowing the keen driver to feel even more connected to the road.

The Maserati Quattroporte is a full-size sedan, able to carry four adults and their luggage in sumptuous luxury – such a car needs brakes which are up to the demands of rapidly shedding the speed which can be attained. It would be difficult to find fault with the standard brakes, which endow the Quattroporte with the best braking performance of any sedan in the world (performance that according to Road & Track magazine matches the 60 to 0 stopping distance of a Ferrari Enzo!), but for the Sport GT S Maserati has raised the game even further.  The enhanced brakes of the Sport GT S provide even more phenomenal stopping power: The front rotors are now more than 14” in diameter, and are gripped by new six-piston Brembo calipers. Those rotors also employ the first road-car use of dual-cast technology, allowing for lighter weight and better heat control for reduced fade – once again Maserati is bringing what it learns on the racetrack to the street.  To further enhance the handling, grip and braking performance the 20” wheels carry new wider tires, specially developed in conjunction with Pirelli.

The interior of the car features some detail changes – the carbon fiber trim now has unique aluminum threads incorporated into the weave, and the seats and steering wheel can be configured in Alcantara suede. The side bolsters of the front seats have been increased slightly, to help provide lateral support when exploiting the car’s remarkable cornering ability.

Subtle exterior changes will also set the Sport GT S apart: a dark chrome finish is available for the 20” wheels, tailpipes and window trim, and the door handles can be painted to match the body.  Together these changes give the Sport GT S a more focused, sporting look, and combined with the lowered ride height, some might say a slightly more sinister look as well.

The Quattroporte has already redefined the meaning of ‘luxury sports sedan’; contact your local authorized Maserati dealer to find out more about how the Quattroporte Sport GT S is set to raise the bar even higher.

To build your own Quattroporte Sport GT S visit the Maserati car configurator or to see one and arrange a test drive, pop down to your authorized Maserati dealers.  The first of their ultra-exclusive and much-heralded  Quattroporte Sport GT S models are arriving now.