Tuesday 9th January 2007

Debut for Maser Quattroporte auto

New 'box aims for slick gearchanges

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Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT

Maserati's debuting its Quattroporte Automatic at the Detroit auto show this week.

The car's got a completely new hydraulic six-speed transmission that, according to Maserati, "ensures a sleek, fluid gear change while allowing for rapid shifting and seamless driving comfort".

According to Maser, the new hydraulic six-speed transmission is a result of the collaboration between Maserati and ZF, is entirely new and has been designed for fluid gear changes. The additional weight changes the weight balance, but the new distribution at 49:51 remains pretty good.

The company's take the opportunity to add new paint colours, Granite Grey and Ocean Blue, and a new type of wood, tanganika, while the interior now can be ordered in a two tone colour scheme.

The Quattroporte Automatic, alongside the Quattroporte with the DuoSelect gearbox, is offered in the luxury-oriented Executive GT, and the Sport GT.

[Lord-Flasheart]

I love the Quattroporte. Personally I think it's styling is way better than the new S class or 7 series. Ultra cool in blue or black as well.

[Valentin]

I saw an automatic Quattroporte two weeks ago in Paris.
Factory, or a very good client??

[oagent]

At last a gearbox that will appeal to the typical buyer in this market sector. Gorgeous car though whatever the drive train.

[carsnapper]

oagent said:

At last a gearbox that will appeal to the typical buyer in this market sector. Gorgeous car though whatever the drive train.

I don't understand why manufacturers persist in developing hydraulic automatics...they're all complete rubbish when driven back to back with VW/AUDI's DSG dual clutch set up.

[scotty_917]

carsnapper said:

oagent said:

At last a gearbox that will appeal to the typical buyer in this market sector. Gorgeous car though whatever the drive train.

I don't understand why manufacturers persist in developing hydraulic automatics...they're all complete rubbish when driven back to back with VW/AUDI's DSG dual clutch set up.

you can bet your bottom dollar that a rival such as the forthcoming Porsche Panamera will have a VW/Audi DSG 'box of some sort?

[Frank1e]

The Sport GT is one of the first cars I would be ordering from my local Maserati dealership if I got the six lucky numbers. I read the article on it in today's Independent and the semi-auto box was the only criticism. With a proper auto it should be spot on.

Beautiful looking automobile.

[MitchT]

I love the Quattroporte. Modern and classical at the same time. Makes the usual super-saloon crowd's cars look very synthetic. With unlimited cash I'd have one as my 'sensible' car, alongside an F40. Now... where's a 'wishful thinking' smilie when you need one?

[sjn2004]

Frank1e said:

The Sport GT is one of the first cars I would be ordering from my local Maserati dealership if I got the six lucky numbers. I read the article on it in today's Independent and the semi-auto box was the only criticism. With a proper auto it should be spot on.

Beautiful looking automobile.

Thats the problem, its actually a paddle shift manual but most jornos don't seem to undestand that because its got 4 doors.

[FestivAli]

I used to hate the Quattroporte. I thought it looked like it had a snout, which ruined the rest of the cars exterior. But then I watched that Top Gear when James May was testing it in Sicily, and blipping the throttle on the downshift... lovely. And look at it next to the new S class and 7 Series? They can't touch it for style. Only the XJ comes close, but even then...

Hopefully this new gearbox will see more sales. And I'll see more on the road.

Ali.

[wadgebeast]

gorgeous cars. Nice to see Maserati taking a note of the feedback and doing something about the negative feedback about the clumsy gearchange very very quickly. They didn't do that 10 years ago!

This has been one of my lottery cars since they brought it out (inc Alfa SZ in red and a 911 carerra); they look stunning in dark colours, especially the violet one I saw in Amsterdam last year.