Maserati lands its range-topper

THE first examples of Maserati’s new range-topping Quattroporte Sport GT S sedans have arrived Down Under, but Maserati Australia says new federal pricing legislation introduced on May 24 prevents it from revealing the car’s price.

The new component pricing legislation requires for a driveaway price inclusive of all on-road costs, which vary from state-to-state and even between individual customers, to be advertised and therefore makes it illegal for car companies to supply the media with recommended retail pricing (RRP).

As such, Maserati advises potential buyers to contact their nearest dealer for pricing information, but GoAuto understands that a price premium for the Sport GT version of the Quattroporte S upon which it is based will make it the most expensive Maserati currently available.

According to RRPs issued before May 24, the Quattroporte S is priced at $323,800* (well up on the ‘base’ 4.2-litre Quattroporte’s $286,000 sticker), while the hitherto most expensive Maserati model is the GranTurismo S, at $328,500*.

Based on the 4.7-litre V8-powered Quattroporte S and revealed at the Detroit motor show in January, the Sport GT S has attracted about 30 Australian orders, the first dozen or so of which will arrive by the end of this month, providing the perfect spoiler for Porsche’s upcoming Panamera five-door.

While the previous Quattroporte Sport GT S offered purely cosmetic upgrades, the latest iteration of the nameplate takes the S-badged Maserati four-door to new heights via a number of mechanical upgrades, resulting in enhanced engine performance and sound plus a more aggressive chassis and transmission, along with subtle cosmetic changes.

Billed as the most aggressive Quattroporte to leave Maserati’s Modena factory, the third sedan model variant employs revised engine mapping to produce 323kW at 7000rpm and 490Nm of torque from 4750rpm.

The extra 6kW and 30Nm of power and torque (which brings the Sport GT S into line with the GranTurismo S) are accompanied by an enhanced exhaust note, courtesy of exhaust valves that open to reduce back-pressure in Sport mode.

Maserati says the result is 0-100km acceleration in 5.1 seconds, making it one-tenth quicker than the Quattroporte S, while top speed increases from 280km/h to 285km/h.

Apart from an uprated V8, the Sport GT S debuts Maserati’s MC-Auto Shift transmission, which is claimed to be “the closest an automatic transmission has come to offering instant response of sequential manual”. The company says a new gearbox operating software that is not available on other Quattroporte variants allows it to do so while maintaining seamless gearshifts.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S is fitted with a single-setting suspension system featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs (30 per cent firmer up front and 10 per cent firmer at the rear) and a ride height that has been lowered 10mm at the front and 25mm at the rear.

Maserati’s says the car’s 51 per cent rear weight bias makes the Sport GT S unique in its class, while a Brembo braking system is also specific and comprises 360mm rotors gripped by single-piece six-piston aluminium callipers.

Setting it apart from lesser Quattroportes is a deeper-set grille flanked by new fog lights and enlarged air intakes, plus a ‘titanium-finish’ front light cluster with Xenon globes and LED indicators.

More aerodynamic wing mirrors, revised side skirts and two new types of 20-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior picture, while the Sport GT S interior is highlighted by M-embroidered sports seats in perforated Alcantara, which extends to the side panels, front armrest, gearshifter and steering wheel.

An “ultra-lightweight aluminium-coated titanium fibre fabric” dubbed TitanTex is also applied liberally to interior surfaces, while the longer steering column-mounted shift paddles are finished in decorative chrome and the model’s name is applied to the dashboard.

Even so, aluminium race-style pedals remain an option for buyers of the Quattroporte Sport GT S, which has a kerb weight of 1990kg, measures 5097mm long and returns combined average fuel consumption of 15.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of 365g/km.

*Due to confusion over ACCC pricing policy introduced on May 25, 2009, car companies are taking the view that it is no longer legal to supply the media with recommended retail car prices. GoAuto will continue to supply indicative prices (when we can get them) to assist consumers in their buying decisions during this period of confusion. Meanwhile, buyers should be aware that additional fees and government charges on registration of the vehicle of some thousands of dollars can be charged on top of these prices. Until the industry can resolve this issue with the ACCC, car buyers are advised to contact their car dealer to confirm prices.

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