Engine

The new Maserati Quattroporte comes equipped with a naturally aspirated, eight cylinder 4,244 cc V90° engine. The lubrication system features a wet sump, which means a reduction in noise, making the cabin quieter.

The Quattroporte’s V8 power unit is made of aluminum alloy and silicon, with the drive shaft and five supports in forged, reclaimed steel. The timing is controlled by two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder activated by hydraulic tappets. The aspirated overhead camshafts, designed especially for the requirements of a luxury sedan, are controlled by a variable valve timing system with actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds.

The ignition and injection systems are tightly controlled by the engine management system to maintain emissions within guidelines. The accelerator is controlled electronically using ‘drive by wire’ technology while the ECU microprocessor communicates with other systems through the Controlled Area Network (CAN) to optimize engine performance. The Maserati’s V8 engine delivers its power in a specially designed way to give the Quattroporte maximum on-board comfort and smooth gear changes while also delivering the performance for which Maserati is famous.

The torque curve, which reaches its peak of 339 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm, is characterized by its fluid delivery. The engine’s revs rise effortlessly to offer consistent power at any point in the rev range. The Quattroporte’s performance is among the best in the luxury sedan category with its 405 bhp power output, a top speed of 164 mph and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds.

Transmission

The Maserati Quattroporte’s automatic transmission provides fluidity and smooth gearshifts without compromising power or speed. The 4.2 liter engine’s delivery is teamed with transmission management software that was developed to optimize pick up and provide seamless power delivery.

The result of a collaboration between Maserati and German transmission specialist ZF, the transmission is served by a hydraulic torque converter. The transmission provides smoothness at low to mid revs but also delivers cutting edge performance with gearchanges right up to the 7,200 rpm redline.

The driver can modify the transmission response to best suit the road conditions or to match his own driving style by selecting the Low Grip or Sport buttons.

Low Grip mode can be selected when the road surface is slick or icy. Pressing the Sport button makes the transmission more aggressive and places the emphasis on performance with faster changes at higher revs.

To keep in touch with its granturismo heritage, the Quattroporte can also be driven in manual mode by moving the shift lever located on the center tunnel to the left into the manual gate.  Just as in sequentially shifted racecars, upshifts are engaged by pulling the shift lever back in the gate, while downshifts are engaged by pushing the shift lever forward.  Optional paddles can also be used to control gearchanges: again, just as in a Maserati racecar, the paddles are fixed to the steering column, with the right paddle for upshifts and the left paddle for downshifts. 

The Sport setting can be used in either manual or automatic shifting modes, with the manual/Sport combination providing the most engaging driving experience.

Chassis and suspension

The Maserati Quattroporte’s chassis makes it an involving drive while also improving safety and comfort. Its high torsional stiffness results in well-balanced handling and enhances the driving experience.

The car’s front and rear double wishbone suspension, with forged aluminum arms and hubs, features ‘anti-dive’ and ‘anti-squat’ geometry. This prevents the front end dipping under braking and the rear end squatting under acceleration. The suspension on the Quattroporte version of the Maserati flagship can also be further upgraded with the optional Skyhook suspension system. Skyhook controls the variable shock damping in response to the driver’s inputs and road conditions.

The Skyhook system

The optional Skyhook electronically controlled suspension system provides automatic and continual adjustment of the damping. The system adapts to the driver’s style behind the wheel and the road surface to help maintain comfort levels on board.

Skyhook boasts software that is dedicated to the Quattroporte and designed to offer the maximum in comfort on the move. Skyhook acts by using acceleration sensors that detect movement on all four wheels and the body to adjust the dampers accordingly.

There are two different settings: Normal and Sport. In Normal mode the ride is softer, meaning more comfort. The driver can switch to Sport mode at any time to stiffen the ride and bring out the Quattroporte’s sporty nature and performance.

Traction and stability control

The Quattroporte’s dynamic handling is further assisted by the Maserati Stability Program (MSP). This has been specially designed by Maserati to help improve safety and works by integrating the ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and ASR (automatic slip reduction), acting on the brakes and the engine in order to help enhance the driver’s control in critical situations. The Program is based on a series of sensors that constantly monitor the car’s handling. MSP can act according to two different logic maps; these correspond to settings chosen by the driver by pushing ‘Sport’ on the center console. This setting adjusts the dampers, the traction control and the speed of the gear changes.

Steering

The power steering is direct and accurate at speed to give the driver precise feedback. At the same time, it is light and easy to use at lower speeds and when performing parking maneuvers.

Weight distribution

The Maserati Quattroporte’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 transforms the luxury sedan into a car where performance is privileged and that rewards the driver with its 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.

Brakes

The Maserati Quattroporte’s brakes are made up of four self-ventilating discs (13 inches in diameter both front and rear) with fixed, four piston calipers in the front.

Fixed calipers are more rigid than the two piece calipers used on almost all other sedans, and apply direct braking force to both sides of the rotor.

The system is completed by the ABS, that helps to prevent the wheels locking under braking, and EBD, that distributes the braking between the front and the rear axles; both systems are integrated into the Maserati Stability Program (MSP).

The Maserati and Brembo braking system offers unbeatable stopping power, giving the Quattroporte sedan braking performance that rivals two-door supercars.

Lights

The new Quattroporte S features redesigned front and rear lighting using the latest in LED technology. The use of LEDs makes a big impact on the car and is one of the elements that link this model with the Maserati GranTurismo.

The most important lighting functions have been improved. The front xenon cluster now boasts the Adaptive Light Control system. Xenon produces a brighter and clearer beam compared to conventional halogen bulbs. The lights also automatically track the movements of the steering wheel so that the beam points to the inside of a curve (up to a maximum of 15º). For safety reasons, when the car is travelling at highway speeds the system returns to a traditional fixed position.

Ten LEDs are set along the bottom edge of the headlights. These amber LED turn signals catch the eye and integrate beautifully with the redesigned front headlights. The new fog lights are located low in the bumper and provide a wider beam.

The LED system is also used in the rear. This technology was employed because LEDs illuminate more quickly and produce a more intense light than normal bulbs. They last longer, consume less energy and their performance does not dim over time.

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