THE Maserati GranTurismo S
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Like the model fitted with automatic transmission, the Maserati GranTurismo S is equipped with an Electric Parking Brake (EPB).
This system, in addition to making handbrake actuation easier, means that the driver can forget all about activating/deactivating the parking brake since it engages automatically when there is no engine power and deactivates when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
In place of the traditional mechanical lever, the electric park brake can be switched on simply by activating an electric control located on the centre tunnel.
Whenever the car has to be moved with the engine off, the automated switch may be disabled using the “Park off” button in the central portion of the dashboard.
Suspension and configuration — Single-rating sport setting to enhance the sporty driving feel
The Maserati GranTurismo S offers the same suspension layout as the 4.2. engine version. However, it also features a special development designed to really exploit the greater power output of the 4.7 V8 and the capabilities offered by the transaxle system.
The Maserati GranTurismo S is fitted as standard with fixed-rating steel dampers modified with the introduction of new springs and dampers, with 10% more damping force and repositioned in terms of compression/extension ratio so as to match the car’s different specification. The diameter of the rear torsion bar has also been increased to make it more rigid.
These modifications have resulted in a 10% reduction in body roll which, combined with the excellent weight distribution, makes the Maserati GranTurismo S particularly agile and responsive to driver instructions: in a succession of bends it appears quick and intuitive when entering and finding the centre of the bend, speedy when negotiating the bend and the driver can accelerate earlier when coming out of the bend due to the reduced load transfers.
As an alternative to the standard fixed-rating suspension the Maserati GranTurismo S can be fitted, upon request, with Skyhook suspension featuring continuously adjustable aluminium dampers; in this case the hardware modifications are accompanied by a dedicated management software.
The Skyhook suspension electronic management system is able to continuously monitor the car’s damping: it operates through acceleration sensors which record the movements of each wheel and thus ensure that any surface unevenness is absorbed and the highest level of comfort guaranteed.
A further advantage for the customer is that he/she can choose from two different settings: Normal, for the highest level of driving comfort, and Sport, for a firmer ride setting with reduced roll angles and load transfers, which enhances the agility and stability of the car body. In the Sport configuration the handling of the Maserati GranTurismo S is comparable with that guaranteed by fixed-rating dampers.
The choice of suspension is very much dependent on driver preference: single-rating dampers make the driver feel more “at one” with the car, as its behaviour is not filtered by the car’s electronics. On the other hand the Skyhook suspension system always ensures the best compromise between comfort and handling in all driving conditions.
Athletic look for the new Maserati GranTurismo
The Maserati GranTurismo S is recognisable on the outside due to a number of aesthetic details that really bring to the fore this model’s sporty credentials, without detracting from the elegance of the lines majestically designed by Pininfarina.
The Maserati GranTurismo S is distinguished by the new-design side skirts, the rear spoiler integrated in the boot lid and the specially designed seven-spoke 20” rims. This instant recognition also extends to the opaque black grille (as against titanium on the GranTurismo); the same colour is applied to the interior parabola of the headlamps.
As with all the sportiest cars, the Trident on the grille and the Saetta logo located in the “C” pillar are decorated with red prongs which match the colour of the brake callipers.
The application of the side skirts and rear spoiler, which are, without a doubt, the most distinctive features of the Maserati GranTurismo S’s look, not only give the car a decidedly sportier and bolder appearance but were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel in order to increase the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the car. The side skirts help to streamline the flow of air towards the rear wheels, whilst the rear spoiler increases the car’s aerodynamic load at the rear, improving the balance between front and rear Cz.
In order to emphasise the car’s handling qualities and dynamic performance, the Maserati GranTurismo S is fitted as standard with new-design 7-spoke 20” rims having distinctive spokes ending with a stylised trident.
The front 8.5J x 20, H2 rims are fitted with 245/35 R20 tyres, whilst those at the rear, 10.5J x 20 H2, come with 285/35 R20 tyres.
The new rim is also available in Grigio Mercury (dark gunmetal grey) colour.
Interior
Without a doubt, the most distinctive features of the interior of the Maserati GranTurismo S are the seats, with the contrasting central section characterised by horizontal piping. The interior is upholstered in Poltrona Frau Leather and Alcantara: In the standard configuration the Alcantara is used for the central section of the seats and for the steering wheel, and can be extended on request right up to the headlining.
Poltrona Frau Leather and Alcantara is not the only combination of materials available for the interior; clients can select a more classic interior trimmed entirely in Poltrona Frau leather, or substitute the Alcantara lining with Peccary leather for a sporty yet sophisticated look.
The Peccary leather is available in three colours (the elegant Cuoio-hide and Grigio Vanadio-grey and the extremely sporty Nero Asphalt-black). It is a full-grain leather with the characteristic embossing that sets it apart from ordinary leathers normally used in the car industry due to the lack of coatings or films. The leather is not chemically treated to preserve its natural look and distinctive velvety feel. The leather is treated so that it is both oil and water-proof, and meets all the quality standards required for use in the automotive industry.
Behind the wheel, the driver’s attention is drawn to the elongated paddles of the electro-actuated transmission, enhanced by a decorative profile around the edge. On the centre tunnel sits an elegantly chromed panel with two buttons for engaging first and reverse gear.
Customers can also choose the type of moulding they want for the dashboard and door panels/rear sides. They are available not only in fine varnished wood, but can also be upholstered in AluTex, an aluminium-coated fibreglass fabric with a hi-tech, modern look. What makes AluTex so special is the autoclave process it undergoes during manufacturing — a fine powder of pure metal is applied to the surface which gives the fibres an unusual brilliance and three-dimensional effect.
The dynamic feel of the car’s interior is complemented by the sporty pedals made from aluminium alloy (available on request).
Maserati GranTurismo S — Technical Specifications
Body
Two-door coupé, four seats, longitudinal centre-front engine (between the two axles), rear wheel drive.
Cx 0.33
Monocoque
Steel bearing monocoque with box-section panels and galvanized sheet structure on both sides. Aluminium bonnet and bumper front reinforcement crossmember, boot lid in thermosetting composite material (SMC technology), with integrated rear spoiler. Sporty side skirts.
Passive safety performance complying with "worldwide" standards, integration of a range of design technologies to optimise weight/performance.
Frame
Derived from the Quattroporte structure, with shorter wheelbase and rear overhang, designed to satisfy the most stringent American crash standards (FMVSS208, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard), front structure compliant with ACEA1 “pedestrian impact” standards.
Constructed in high-strength steel boxed sections; integrates a tubular structure in the rear part to support suspensions and differential; front serves to support the suspensions and engine.
Suspension
Front: independent suspensions, with dual wishbone, “antidive” geometry, aluminium alloy levers, aluminium hub carrier. Standard fixed-rating steel dampers; optional aluminium gas dampers with continuously variable damper setting with acceleration sensors on each wheel (Skyhook), available upon request. Coaxial coil springs.
Rear: independent suspensions, with dual wishbone, “antisquat” geometry, aluminium alloy levers, aluminium hub carrier. Standard single-setting steel gas dampers, optional aluminium gas dampers with continuously variable damper setting with sensors on each wheel (Skyhook) available upon request; Coaxial coil springs.
Wheels and tyres
Standard 20” diameter wheels in light alloy.
- Front 8.5J x 20”, H2 profile, front tyres 245/35 R20.
- Rear 10.5J x 20”, H2 profile, rear tyres 285/35 R20.
Optional: 19” light alloy flow formed wheels
- Front 8.5J x 19”, H2 profile, front tyres 245/40 R19.
- Rear 10.5J x 19”, H2 profile, rear tyres 285/40 R19.
Brakes
Dual-circuit Brembo brake system, 4 ventilating and drilled discs (64 cross drillings, 4 mm diameter and 2 mm radius).
Front: light alloy callipers with 6 pistons with differentiated diameters (30/34/38 mm). Dual-cast brake discs, diameter x thickness 360 x 32 mm. Friction pads: Jurid 673 GG.
Rear: light alloy callipers with 4 pistons with differentiated diameters (32/36 mm). Brake discs diameter x thickness mm 330 x 28. Ferodo HP1000 brake pads.
4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) integrated in the MSP stability control system Bosch version 8.0 Electric park brake (EPB) with Autoapply eDriveaway system.
Steering
Hydraulic steering box with tacho-sensitive servo assistance with on road steering ratio 64 mm/rev
Steering diameter (from pavement to pavement): 10.7 m.
Transmission
Transaxle layout with longitudinal front engine, located behind the front axle, rigidly connected to the longitudinal rear gearbox en bloc with the differential via a tubular steel element.
Electro-actuated 6-speed gearbox, with hydraulic control managed electronically through levers and rocker arm located behind the steering wheel and integral with the steering column. Triple cone synchronizers on 1st and 2nd, double cone on 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.
Double-plate dry clutch, diameter 215 mm, with flexible torsion couplings and co-axial hydraulic control.
20 mm steel driveshaft flexibly supported on 4 bearings inside the engine/gearbox connecting pipe.
Asymmetric limited slip differential (25% in traction, 45% in release).
Traction control and Maserati Stability Program (MSP) incorporating the traction control (ASR), release torque (MSR), anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronically controlled braking correct (EBD) systems.
Transmission gear ratios
Gear 1 2 3 4 5 6 R Final drive ratio
Ratio 3.21 2.05 1.43 1.1 0.9 0.76 3.29 4.18
Engine
8 cylinders in 90 degree V, total displacement 4,691 cm3. Crankcase and cylinder heads in hardened and tempered aluminium alloy, crankshaft in hardened and tempered steel, balanced individually on 5 main bearings.
The timing system features double chain-driven overhead camshaft per bank; four valves per cylinder driven by hydraulic cups.
Increased-diameter Nikasil-coated thin steel cylinder liners.
Wet sump lubrication, oil sump integral with crankcase, single oil bath pump.
Bosch integrated ignition and injection systems and drive-by-wire accelerator.
Bore: 94 mm
Stroke: 84.5 mm
Unit displacement: 586.1 cc
Displacement: 4,691 cc
Connecting rod length: 141 mm
Cylinder centre distance: 104 mm
Valves per cylinder: 4
Compression ratio: 11:25
Maximum power output: 440 HP @ 7,000 rpm
Peak torque: 490 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
Maximum engine speed: 7600 rpm
Petrol: 95 RON
Engine weight: 190 Kg
THE Maserati GranTurismo S
