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Due to their special elongated design, the paddles on the Maserati GranTurismo S are always within easy reach of the driver even when steering sharply, compared to those on the automatic transmission model.
The GranTurismo’s automatic gearbox control lever on the centre tunnel has been replaced with a panel that accommodates two buttons, one for engaging reverse and one for first gear: it is particularly useful during parking manoeuvres to be able to engage first gear without having to use the steering wheel paddle.
The electro-actuated transmission features two basic operating modes, manual and automatic. Manual mode ensures maximum driving involvement and shifts take place only if requested by the driver and when the car’s top performance is required; automatic mode, by contrast, is intended for those driving conditions in which the driver wishes to have less involvement: the system also decides on gear change speed as well as carrying out the shift and take-off operation.
The functionalities linked to the “Sport” button, which affects available power output, shift speed and dampers setting when Skyhook suspension is fitted (optional), can be overlapped in both modes.
The Maserati GranTurismo S can be driven selecting from a total of six operating modes:
- Manual Normal
- Manual Sport
- Manual Sport in MC-Shift
- Auto Normal
- Auto Sport
- Ice
Manual Normal Mode
In Manual Normal mode the valves are closed and the choice of gear lies solely with the driver. To ensure greater driving enjoyment the system holds the gear when the limiter is reached; the control unit merely checks that the gear requested matches engine speed, so as to avoid taking it beyond the limiter when shifting up or below the minimum speed when shifting down.
Manual Sport Mode
In manual mode, pressing the “Sport” button causes the transmission control system to adopt a more performance-oriented gearshift strategy, with much shorter times to change between one ratio and another.
In Manual Sport mode the pneumatic exhaust valves open: the reduced backpressure generated allows the engine speed to increase more quickly.
Manual Sport in MC-Shift
The gearshift solution known as MC-Shift is the most important innovation of the electro-actuated system on the Maserati GranTurismo S: this includes management software and special hardware components which provide top performance in terms of gearshift times.
In conventional electro-actuated systems the three shift phases (cut in torque and opening of clutch; gear disengagement, selection and engagement; closing of clutch and restoration of torque) are carried out sequentially.
On the Maserati GranTurismo S the shift phases are partially overlapped: gear disengagement and engagement take place in advance of clutch opening and closing; this means that the shift time, interpreted and calculated as the break in acceleration, drops to 100 ms, whilst the single gear engagement phase reduces to 40 ms.
The fast MC-Shift is available only when shifting up and in Manual Sport mode, provided that the transmission control unit recognises when given parameters relating to engine and transmission temperature are achieved: the quick shift is possible above 5500 rpm and with the throttle at 80%.
Once these parameters have been reached, the system enables fast shift, and warns the driver through the MC-S indicator on the dashboard display, which lights up and stays on.
Auto Normal Mode
In Auto mode the gear change is managed completely automatically by the transmission electronic control system. The control unit determines engine speed and moment of the shift as well as its speed, based on parameters such as vehicle speed, engine revs and the driver’s request for torque and power. In automatic mode a gear can be requested manually through the paddles behind the steering wheel (gear suggestion).
The system recognises the driver’s style by analysing lateral and longitudinal acceleration and throttle opening. If a sportier driving style is recognised, the “UP” shifts are moved to a higher number of engine revs. The control system also recognises the type of road, adapting gear changes when the road climbs or descends, on a bend, in town and on motorways.
Auto Normal mode is the mode most designed for comfort: changing to a higher gear is required as soon as possible in order to obtain the lowest level of vibrations and acoustic return from the engine. Shifting is managed in such a way as to ensure that gear changes are ultra-smooth. This mode also ensures lower fuel consumption when combined with a normal and non-aggressive driving style. In Auto Normal mode the sporty exhaust by-pass valves stay closed, which results in greater acoustic comfort whilst driving.
This does not mean, however, having to give up on the car’s sporty nature: when driving in sport mode, with frequent opening of the throttle, gearshift speeds approach those of the Auto Sport mode.
Auto Sport Mode
Auto Sport mode is activated with the transmission in auto mode and by pressing the “Sport” button located on the dashboard: changing gear is still managed automatically by the transmission control unit, but by varying the speed of the operations to open up and reduce torque, disengage, select and engage gear, close the clutch and restore engine torque. The result is a faster gear change and a sportier driving feel.
Compared to Auto Normal mode, shifting up takes place at higher engine speeds, whereas moving down a gear is accompanied by a more pronounced heel and toe effect.
In Auto Sport Mode the pneumatic exhaust valves open so that the engine can achieve top performance.
ICE Mode
This mode can be used on low-grip road surfaces and is activated through the ICE button located on the central tunnel alongside the electric parking brake. When engaged, it limits the torque transmitted to the wheels (the engine speed is limited to 3,000 rpm), thus keeping loss of grip to a minimum.
ICE mode takes priority over the Sport mode and does not allow the stability control to be switched off (MSP OFF): When the driver requests the ICE mode, Sport mode is deactivated automatically (if it was on) and the stability control (MSP) restored (if previously deactivated).
The Cambiocorsa configuration will always revert back to Auto mode/MSP engaged when started, but will maintain the Sport mode if previously selected.
Braking system — Dual-cast technology
The Maserati GranTurismo S is fitted with a high-performance brake system, which uses dual-cast technology for the front brake discs, developed in collaboration with Brembo and used for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S.
Different from traditional cast iron discs, the dual-cast disc consists of a cast iron braking ring and an aluminium hub, making it possible to combine the advantages offered by cast iron's performance at temperature with the aluminium’s light weight.
At the front the Dual-cast discs are combined with the six-piston mono-bloc brake callipers with differentiated diameter (30/34/36 mm), with Ferodo HP1000 pads. The mono-bloc callipers are more resistant to deformation than callipers made of two parts; this means that lighter materials, in this case aluminium, can be used and component weight minimised even further. The calliper is also more efficient at any operating pressure, so braking requires less effort from the driver.
At the rear 330 x 28 mm discs are fitted with 4-piston callipers with differentiated diameter (32/36 mm), and Jurid 673 GG pads.
The brake callipers fitted as standard on the Maserati GranTurismo S are red. Clients may personalise the colour of the callipers selecting from five alternative shades: titanium or yellow for a sportier look, silver and blue for a more elegant configuration and the classic black.
The braking system in the Maserati GranTurismo S also features ABS, which prevents the wheels from locking up when braking, and EBD for better distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels, both integrated with MSP Bosch version 8.0.
“Hill Holder” device and Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
The Maserati GranTurismo S is equipped with a “Hill Holder” function, which aids the driver during hill starts. The device holds the car for a few seconds (the time varies depending on road incline), so that the driver has time to move his/her foot from the brake pedal to the throttle without the car moving.
