Quattroporte Automatica Gets Sportier

It's been said that the best thing to happen to the Maserati Quattroporte

executive performance luxury sedan since its introduction was the Automatica model which arrived this past year. Instead of the DuoSelect clutchless sequential manual gearbox, renowned for its high-performance shifts but less than subtle gear actuation, the car received a true automatic transmission developed in cooperation with ZF. It's based on the same gearbox as found in an A8, 7-Series and Jaguar XJ, albeit with its own unique touches for the shift points and shift algorithms. Apparently it's been a hit, with the take rate reaching record highs.

Continuing on the model expansion tract started by the two limited edition Quattroporte models, the 2006 Sport GT and Executive GT, this latest Quattroporte, the Sport GT S, combines style and performance-enhancing substance. If its daring and very Maserati-esque appearance wasn't enough to catch your eye, the added aerodynamic body kit most certainly will. Many

of the car's details, such as the exhaust tips and the mesh filling for the front grille and coating for the tailpipes is finished in black chrome, which is subtle and tasteful.

In terms of suspension work, the GT S sits 0.4 inches lower in the front and 1.0-inch lower in the rear, fortifying its stance, while a firmer setup in the electronically controlled Skyhook damping system will ensure that even this large luxury sedan will corner flatly when asked by its driver. The GT S also has a unique “race” mode that should appeal to those who really enjoy driving their luxury sedans like racing machines.

The Sport GT S model also features new brake technology developed by Brembo. Instead of using regular cast iron discs, the GT S has ones that are made of both aluminum and cast iron, which helps to reduce weight as well

as reduce fade under high stress situations. Although carbon ceramic brakes are still at the cutting edge of brake technology, their cost is too high and their temperature range is to narrow for effective daily use, which is what prompted Maserati to seek a new material. These large discs are clamped down on by six-piston front calipers, shown off behind a set of seven-spoke, 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/35 front and 285/30 rear performance rubber.

Moving inside, the Sport GT S features a combination of rich, Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara. The new sports seats with improved bolstering feature the grippy suede-like material on inserts for the main seat cushions, door panels, and the steering wheel. Rather than wood trim for accenting the dash, console and doors, the Sport GT S features carbon fiber inset into aluminum treads for accent.

Maserati will no doubt command a handsome premium for the Sport GT S, but the performance levels it now possesses should make it well worth the difference.