- Maserati Quattroporte, 2013
The flagship Maserati Quattroporte is larger, lighter, more luxurious and more practical than the globally acclaimed car it replaces. With a 307km/h (191 mph) top speed, it's also as fast as most two-door supercars.
The sixth-generation Maserati Quattroporte delivers a leap forward that not only sets the high-technology tone for Maserati's upcoming new-model onslaught, but also remains faithful to Maserati's long history in luxury sports saloons.
The powerful engine and the large cabin at the core of the Maserati Quattroporte's design, dominated by a long, powerful nose and a concave Trident grille, provide a clear link to both the outgoing Quattroporte and the GranTurismo.
Even with all of its new technology, the new Quattroporte remains true to Maserati's roots. Its V8 twin turbo makes it not only the fastest four-door Maserati ever built, but also the most powerful and the most fuel efficient.
The direct-injection engine family will boast a 3.8-litre V8 and a 3.0-litre V6, both of which are all new, twin turbo charged, designed by Maserati Powertrain and assembled by Ferrari at Maranello.
The 3.8-litre V8 engine provides Maserati's new performance benchmark, reaching 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and achieving a 307km/h (191 mph) top speed. It is 20km/h faster than the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S and delivers up to 200Nm more torque as well. The V6 twin turbo doesn't lack in performance, either, reaching 285km/h (177 mph).
With an eight-speed automatic transmission and both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations (V6 only, AWD not available in RHD markets), it is also the most secure all-weather performance car in Maserati's history.
The all-new architecture retains the Maserati Quattroporte's traditionally exquisite handling thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution, a double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension. It can now deliver the added security and all-weather assurance of all-wheel drive as well.
It also delivers new standards in quality in every area from design, development, fabrication and process controls. It is produced in a new plant that combines Maserati's traditions of craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies that are able to guarantee outstanding quality by controlling even the tiniest details.
Traditional hand crafted detailing continues in the Quattroporte's cabin, now more spacious and featuring both four and five-seat layouts.
Cabin luxury leaps forward technically too, with features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals (left hand drive only), reversing camera and the optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as WLAN-based WiFi and compatibility with most modern mobile phone systems.
With the original Quattroporte in 1963, Maserati invented the concept of the luxury sports saloon and the new Quattroporte continues to be the benchmark for high quality engineering, supercar performance and comfort.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Maserati has been considered a master of sports saloon design from the day the original 1963 Quattroporte became the first automobile to blend speed and luxury with four doors.
A powerful engine and a large cabin are at the core of the Maserati Quattroporte's design, dominated by a long, impressive nose with its short overhang.
"The design of the Quattroporte is inspired by Maserati's core stylistic principles: harmony of proportions, dynamic lines and Italian elegance," Head of Maserati Centro Stile, Marco Tencone explains.
"Every new model is a step into the future, but for a brand with the strong heritage of Maserati it is fundamental to bring on the most distinctive features as a signature: the contour of the air intake in the front, the three small outlets on the front wings and the strong triangular C pillar bearing the logo".
But the Maserati Quattroporte body design isn't just about looks; it has delivered a 12% improvement in drag (Cx), down to 0.31, and an enormous 24% reduction in lift. These figures reduce fuel consumption and increase high-speed stability.
A large part of the Quattroporte's aerodynamic work is out of sight, beneath the car. It has a flat floor that contains several aerodynamic features with the scope of optimising performance by lowering drag coefficient and keeping the proper cooling of all systems (engines, brakes, and transmission) at speeds over 300 km/h.
ENGINES
At the heart of the new Quattroporte is an entirely new engine grid, which follows recent Maserati tradition as it is designed in-house by Maserati Powertrain and manufactured under contract by Ferrari at Maranello.
V8 TWIN TURBO ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
The flagship 3.8-litre V8 engine is a perfect representation of Maserati's performance tradition combined with a 20% reduction in emissions.
It is almost a litre smaller in capacity than the 4.7-litre V8 in the Quattroporte Sport GT S, yet this is more than countered through twin turbo charging and direct fuel injection to deliver 18% more power and 39% more torque.
The engine produces 390kW (530 hp) of power at 6800rpm and accompanies this with 650Nm of torque from 2000rpm to 4000rpm.
This maximum normal torque figure can be overboosted to 710 Nm from 2250rpm to 3500rpm.
These figures represent the highest specific power output in the class, with 139hp/l, and the best specific torque as well, with 171Nm per litre.
It also has a considerably more powerful engine than the finely balanced 4.7-litre engine in the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, with a full 59kW (80hp) more power and an astonishing 200Nm more torque (on the overboosted output). The torque peak also arrives at less than half the engine speed of the Sport GT S's V8, too, peaking at 2000rpm versus 4750rpm.
In addition, its combination of a lighter body design and a stronger engine give the Quattroporte the best power-to-weight ratio in class, with just 3.6kg for each horsepower.
These engine figures help the Quattroporte reach 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the previous Sport GT S, making the new Quattroporte the fastest accelerating four-door car in Maserati's history. This also makes it 0.6 seconds faster to 100km/h than the outgoing Maserati Quattroporte S and almost a second faster than the 4.2-litre Quattroporte.
Another ground-breaking figure is the Quattroporte's top speed, comfortably breaking through the 300km/h barrier to reach 307km/h (191 mph). Again, this makes it the fastest four-door Maserati in history and second amongst all Maserati production cars behind the mighty V12-powered MC12.
However, the new engine is not just about big performance numbers or high torque. Maserati engines have always been known for their incredible throttle response and that unique Maserati sound - and this engine is no different.
The new engine generation's smaller capacity does help with the Quattroporte's handling too, but Maserati's engineers concentrated mainly on delivering the brand's traditional crisp pickup and low rotational inertia.
The most technically advanced engine ever fitted to a Maserati, the 3799cc V8, uses a pair of low-inertia, twin-scroll parallel turbos to increase its output.
Its architecture retains the over-square, free-revving nature of the outgoing V8, with a bore of 86.5mm and a stroke length of 80.8mm, and it has a slightly lower compression ratio of 9.5:1.
It has been specifically designed to deliver exceptional performance at all engine speeds, combined with lower consumption and emissions. The engine diagrams show that the V8 engine's torque is very high, even at speeds as low as 1500 rpm.
It uses high-tumble cylinder heads with four cam phasers, (doubling the number of the naturally aspirated V8), in a concept refined by Maserati Powertrain for optimal combustion control to deliver high performance and low consumption.
With hydraulically adjusted roller finger followers and two continuous cam phasers for each cylinder head, it can advance or retard the inlet and exhaust valve timing independently in real time and it also reduces friction losses compared to old valvetrain systems.
Another characteristic feature of the new Maserati engine family is the 200 bar direct fuel-injection system. This very high pressure, coupled with seven holes laser drilled oriented holes injectors and multiple injection, helps atomising the fuel directly in the combustion chamber, thus improving the fuel-air mixture and the combustion process at any engine speed.
The new V8 engine is boosted by two small parallel twin-scroll turbines, (one for each bank of four cylinders), which provide the high performance expected of a Maserati engine while reducing inertia. Maserati Powertrain focused on integrating the turbine housing into the exhaust manifold for a compact, light-weight solution.
Each turbocharger is fed by its own air-to-air intercooler. The Quattroporte has two intercoolers, each mounted low and wide of the main radiators to catch a constant supply of fresh, cool air.
The engine also uses a state-of-the-art ECU, with integral high-speed processors, which handle an array of shifting functions in real time.
Maserati Powertrain has also switched to on-demand ancillaries, with a variable displacement oil pump that works under electrical control for improved consumption and performance.
It also uses an innovative, computer-controlled alternator, which monitors the vehicle's electricity consumption and manages the alternator's workload to suit.
The engine also operates in both Normal and Sport modes, along with Manual versions of either mode, operated by elongated shift paddles fixed to the steering column.
The new Quattroporte also introduces the I.C.E. (Increased Control and Efficiency) strategy, a function aimed at reducing consumption, emissions and noise.
It is a user-select strategy and delivers a softer throttle pedal response for smooth driving, cancels the turbocharger's overboost function and keeps the exhaust's Sport flaps closed until 5000rpm. It also adjusts the gearshifts to make them softer and slower and reduces torque at each gear's take-up point.
Besides delivering the Maserati Quattroporte's peak fuel efficiency figure, the I.C.E. mode is also very useful for driving on low-grip surfaces.
V6 TWIN TURBO ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
The Quattroporte's all-new V6 twin turbo engine is a close relation of the V8, sharing most of its core components.
With 301kW (410hp) of power at 5500rpm, it still provides a tremendously powerful driving experience, especially with 550Nm of flat torque between 1500rpm and 5000rpm. In Normal mode the torque is smoothed at 500Nm in the lower rpm range, reaching the 550Nm threshold at 5000rpm to guarantee the 301KW of maximum power.
The engine shares the V8's bore and combustion chamber design, the same valves control technology (i.e. roller finger followers and four cam phasers), the same twin turbocharging approach and direct injection-ignition system. The engine auxiliaries are identical (alternator, starter motor and power steering pump) or very similar (variable displacement oil pump).
Nonetheless it has a character of its own, revving to a lower 6500rpm maximum speed and delivering its torque level of 500rpm sooner than the V8.
While its specific power output is slightly lower than that of the V8, at 137hp per litre, its specific torque is actually higher than the larger-engined car's standard specific torque, at 183Nm per litre.
It is also a lighter car, with 1860kg in its rear-wheel drive configuration (+70kg in all-wheel drive).
In rear-wheel drive mode, it accelerates to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds, while the all-wheel drive V6 twin turbo manages the sprint in 4.9 seconds.
Both cars are still as fast as people would expect from the Maserati brand, with the rear-wheel drive's 285km/h (177mph) top speed matching the outgoing Sport GT S and the all-wheel drive V6 twin turbo reaching 284km/h (176mph).
The rear and all-wheel drive models are also very similar in their fuel consumption, with both cars posting 10.5 l/100km on the combined cycle, with the rear-wheel drive car claiming 244 grams of CO2/km and the all-wheel drive 246 grams.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
In the best Maserati tradition, the sound and performance of the Quattroporte's exhaust system is controlled by pneumatic valves in the pipes of each bank in order to maintain the classic and rich sound characteristic of the brand.
In the default Normal mode, the bypass valves are closed up to 4,200 rpm to give a comfortable and discreet engine sound.
In Sport mode, not only does the car adjust a variety of handling parameters, but the exhaust valves are opened, giving the shortest possible high-energy route for the exhaust gases. This gives the Quattroporte its maximum engine performance and the unique Maserati engine sound.
Beneath the rear bumper, the V8 version finishes its exhaust system with trapezoidal tips with two double pipes in polished steel.
DRIVETRAIN
All versions of the new Maserati Quattroporte are fitted with the ZF AT8-HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission.
Pre-engineered for both rear and all-wheel drive configurations, the transmission delivers increased comfort, faster gearshifting, reduced fuel consumption and reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) values compared to the six-speed automatic in the outgoing Quattroporte.
By delivering two over-driven gears, the transmission alone delivers relevant fuel economy benefit and also weighs 4kg less than the outgoing six-speed transmission.
Befitting Maserati tradition, it features five dedicated shift modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and the I.C.E. mode (Increased Control Efficiency).
Auto Normal is the Quattroporte's default setting and performs its gear changes with fluid shifts at low engine speeds to emphasise the car's comfort and minimise fuel consumption.
The Auto Sport mode sees the transmission switch character to change gears with greater alacrity at higher engine speeds and deliver a distinct gear engagement to enhance the powertrain's sporting feel.
In both of these modes, the car recognises a variety of conditions, such as whether the car is travelling up or down hill or is braking hard or driving through a corner, and selects the best gear and the best gear-shift style accordingly.
The transmission can also be controlled manually by selecting the M button on the transmission tunnel.
In Manual Normal mode, the driver can change gear with either the elongated gearshift paddles attached to the steering column or by using the transmission lever. The driver is in charge of the gear selection, though the system will intervene and change to a lower gear if the engine revs drop too low, or change to a higher gear if the engine revs climb too high.
In Manual Sport mode, however, the gearshifts are at their fastest and crispest, giving the driver full control of the powertrain. The system will not intervene, even if the driver strikes the engine's rev limiter. It will only intervene if the engine's revs drop too low to be effective in a given gear.
The I.C.E. (Increased Control Efficiency) mode is designed for remarkable fuel economy, relaxed driving and extremely low grip conditions. The transmission changes gear as softly as possible, both going up through the gears and returning back down.
All gearshift modes can be selected via buttons on the left of the gear knob.
The Maserati Quattroporte also utilises a mechanical limited-slip differential. The asymmetric locking feature offers 35 % lock-up under power and 45 % under release.
The rear differential is driven via a two-piece, 80mm diameter steel propshaft (hollowed for weight saving) with two constant velocity joints and one head rubber coupling, for comfort improvement. The propshaft runs through a cross member-mounted rubber bearing for higher comfort in respect to vibrations and harshness levels.
The completely brand new AWD transmission is compact, efficient and light weight. The all-wheel drive system is capable of switching the powertrain torque from full rear, to split axles, rear and front, almost instantly (150ms). The smart logic of the system provides the vehicle with the optimum torque split, thus guaranteeing maximum stability in all driving conditions.
From the Quattroporte AWD you can expect maximum performance and enjoy maximum traction torque and safety: the system is able to work in team with the ESP for maximum safety even on the most slippery of surfaces, but at the same time is able to operate independently, preserving driving efficacy and sportiness within limits of safety.
The sensors in the car's body and the AWD CPUs will monitor all vehicle functioning parameters, reacting to each event specifically. The driver can monitor these functions by looking at the display where the front-rear torque split is visible. When the vehicle is running at sustained high speed, the CPU sets all the torque to the rear axle for maximum efficiency and transmission longevity, but then it is always ready to react to ensure optimum safety.
In addition, the AWD system is mechanically designed to deliver the lowest level of operating noise, and maximum performance.
CHASSIS
The chassis of the new Quattroporte has been designed to meet the performance and comfort demands of Maserati buyers, as well as all foreseeable safety regulations.
With the longest wheelbase in its class, the Quattroporte's architecture lends itself both to extreme interior comfort and an exciting handling platform.
Based around a rigid and extremely secure steel safety cell, it uses an array of different steel and aluminium alloys, each designed to maximise strength, minimise weight and retain the sports saloon's perfect weight distribution.
The front of the chassis is based around an aluminium sub frame and a reinforced cross-strut to deliver outstanding rigidity.
The choice of aluminium for the bulk of the Maserati Quattroporte's body panels guarantees the maximum occupant safety with the lowest possible weight. Accordingly, all four doors, the bonnet, the front wings and the boot lid are all made from aluminium.
Along with the freedom it allowed Maserati's designers, the choice of aluminium has also had a positive impact on reducing the Quattroporte's weight, thus lowering its fuel consumption and emissions.
Other diverse materials are also used in the Quattroporte's body, including ultra-light weight magnesium, which is used in the dashboard's cross strut.
AERODYNAMICS
The modifications to the Quattroporte body design aren't just about looks, but have also allowed for a 12% improvement in drag (Cx), now down to 0.31, and an enormous 24% reduction in lift. These figures reduce fuel consumption and increase high-speed stability.
The Quattroporte has gone through extensive aerodynamic work, most of which is out of sight, beneath the car. It has a flat floor that contains several aerodynamic features, including a NACA duct to help cool the differential without increasing drag and flaps on the rear suspension arms to channel airflows.
SUSPENSION
Double wishbone suspension layouts are a race-bred tradition at Maserati and the new Maserati Quattroporte continues with this heritage, also incorporating some new technology for greater driving precision.
The front suspension uses high-mounted, all-aluminium double wishbones to guarantee light and precise handling characteristics.
Aluminium is the dominant metal of the front suspension system with the shock towers, the upper and lower control arms and uprights all made from forged aluminium, while the springs are made of steel. All of these match up to constantly adaptive Skyhook dampers and an anti-roll bar.
The quadrilateral architecture of the system has enabled Maserati's handling team to deliver steering that is precise, communicative and comfortable.
The rear suspension employs a five-bar multi-link system, with four aluminium suspension arms, and has been developed to achieve the apparently conflicting goals of exceptional comfort and extreme sports performance.
The suspension package also uses anti-roll bars and steel springs damped by a faster and more accurate development of the Skyhook adaptive damping system. All four Skyhook dampers can be electronically controlled independently of one another.
One of the standout features of the new Quattroporte, the default Skyhook mode prioritises comfort and then becomes more sporting and athletic if the driver presses the suspension button. This extra stiffness transforms the Quattroporte's handling and was developed in both extreme test scenarios and on the race track. Essentially, it drastically reduces both lateral and longitudinal load transfers and minimises body roll to bring out the sportiest side of the Quattroporte's character.
The computer system in charge of the Skyhook dampers monitors an enormous array of parameters, including speed and lateral and longitudinal acceleration, individual wheel movements, body movement and damper dynamics.
Adjusting also to suit the suspension mode chosen by the driver, the system delivers the perfect damping mode for each wheel almost instantly.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Featuring 20-inch rims as standard equipment, the new Quattroporte is also available with either smaller 19-inch rims or larger 21-inch rims.
The 19" and 20" alloys are crafted from flow-forming technology which reduces the core thickness of the wheels and optimises light weight, without sacrificing stiffness and strength.
The 21" rim is a forged alloy wheel, which also emphasises light weight and weighs no more than the 20" rim.
All the Maserati Quattroporte's rims have been designed and engineered to enhance the visual design of the body and to lower the unsprung masses to improve grip and handling.
The 19" wheels, with 245/45 front tyres and 275/40 rear tyres, are geared towards reduced fuel consumption combined with low road noise and long, comfortable journeys.
The 20" wheels, with 245/40 front tyres and 285/35 rear tyres, are the perfect compromise between sportiness and comfort, while the 21" wheels, with a 245/35 front and 285/30 rear tyre combination, are focused on sports handling.
All three wheel sizes are available with Pirelli, Dunlop and Continental tyres. The 19" and 20" wheels can also be fitted with winter tyres.
Additionally, the Quattroporte continuously monitors its tyre pressure with a sensor mounted inside the rim, as part of the valve. The pressure can be read off the display on the dashboard. If a tyre punctures or its pressure changes, the system notifies the driver with visual and acoustic warnings.
DIMENSIONS
The new Quattroporte has grown to set size benchmarks in its class in almost every dimension. It is bigger in every significant dimension than its predecessor including delivering 105mm more rear legroom and 80 litres more luggage capacity than the outgoing Maserati Quattroporte.
Most importantly, these increases have not created a similar rise in mass, with the Quattroporte weighing almost 100 kg less than the flagship predecessor, (1900kg in V8 form).
Another vital factor is weight distribution and consequently the Quattroporte retains perfect balance with 50:50 front-to-rear weight. This is despite the forward repositioning of the fuel tank to create greater luggage space and the addition of all-wheel drive, bigger radiators and two intercoolers beneath the bonnet.
BRAKES
Maserati has continued its long lasting partnership with Brembo on the new Maserati Quattroporte and all models feature fixed-caliper braking technology.
The V8-powered models feature 380mm x 34mm ventilated and cross-drilled brake discs inside the front wheels. These brake discs continue to use the technology pioneered by Maserati, which allows the weight of the cast-iron braking surface area to be offset with an alloy hat to minimise unsprung mass. As with the V6 models, the V8's front discs are slowed by six-piston fixed alloy Brembo calipers.
The rear end of the Quattroporte V8 uses 350mm x 28mm ventilated and cross-drilled brake discs, with four-piston fixed alloy Brembo calipers.
These brakes, with an enlarged swept area and highly efficient cooling, are designed for consistent performance in sports driving situations. They are also bigger in order to respond to the demands created by the extremely high performance potential of the new Quattroporte.
The brakes on the V6 twin turbo Quattroporte models are only marginally smaller than the V8 twin turbo's brakes - 360mm x 32mm ventilated and cross-drilled brake discs, with six-piston fixed alloy Brembo calipers on the front axle and carrying over the V8 twin turbo's rear braking hardware.
However, high-performance stopping power is only one measure of overall braking performance. The collaboration with Brembo has also concentrated on evolving the acoustic comfort of the Maserati Quattroporte's braking systems.
The Quattroporte also uses an electronic parking brake, which operates on all four wheels. The ergonomically placed button on the gear lever bezel activates the brake when the car is at rest.
It can also act as a safety device when driving. In this case the system communicates with the stability control ECU and decelerates the car at 0.5g in full safety until released.
The brakes also operate as part of the Quattroporte's automatic hill starting system. The on-board sensors detect the vehicle's tilt when parked facing uphill, then lock the brakes for a few seconds; this gives the driver's foot time to move from the brake to the accelerator pedal without the vehicle rolling back.
BRAKE CALIPERS
Besides their strength and effectiveness, Maserati brake calipers have also always added a significant stylistic effect.
This continues with the new Quattroporte, with the front and rear brake calipers available in the standard classic black with the Maserati name in white.
These are also available in red, blue, silver and polished aluminium.
STEERING
The Maserati Quattroporte uses an all-new aluminium steering box, developed specifically for the new front-suspension geometry.
This has allowed Maserati's suspension engineers to deliver ultimate precision combined with the steering sensitivity needed for turning into corners at speed.
Its reduced steering ratio delivers an agility that is rare for this class of luxury saloon and while it is comfortable in all situations, the steering feel is geared towards driving enjoyment.
Avoiding electro-hydraulic steering systems, the Quattroporte employs a servo-powered hydraulic system that prevents artificial assistance when the driver turns the wheel quickly. The power assistance has also been reduced compared to the previous Maserati Quattroporte; the intention being to deliver more feedback to the driver for consistency at high speed, yet maintaining easy manoeuvring at low speed.
MASERATI STABILITY PROGRAMME
Maserati drivers have long known the benefits of the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) and the system has evolved and improved in the new Quattroporte.
Developed in the most extreme of test circumstances, the MSP uses a wide array of sensors to detect any need to intervene on the driver's behalf.
MSP adds a layer of security on top of the new Quattroporte's inherent chassis stability which helps drivers enjoy anxiety-free handling under all driving conditions.
MSP constantly measures the Quattroporte's handling and grip and combines a host of safety and performance systems to maintain the car's ideal handling stance.
The MSP most common areas of intervention are the engine and the brakes. If skidding is detected, the MSP reduces the engine's torque output and can actuate the brakes with minute, finely varied inputs to restore the car's stability within milliseconds.
The other key systems that make up the MSP:
- ABS - stops the wheels locking up under brakes, thereby maintaining steering control at all times.
- EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) - distributes braking force between the front and rear axles to prevent rear-wheel lock up.
- ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) - stops the driven wheels from spinning in low-grip situations.
- MSR - prevents the driven wheels from locking up when down-shifting on low-grip surfaces. It does this by measuring the speed of the driven wheels against the speed of the free wheels and accelerating the driven wheels slightly if needed.
- BAS (Brake Apply Sensor) - uses a variety of sensors to recognise panic or emergency braking situations and increases the pressure in the braking circuit.
- Hill Holder - automatically connects to the braking system to prevent roll back when the car moves away from rest on hills.
