Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

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How much?	$ 164109
Engine:	4691cc, 8cyl, 440BHP @ 7000, 361lb ft @ 4750
Transmission:	Automatic
Fuel Economy:	15.7 - l/100km
Performance:	5.1 sec 0-100kph , 285kph
How heavy?	1990kg

Shahzad Sheikh
14 June 2009

Another month, another new Maserati derivative?

Granted, Maserati is doing its best to confuse and confound us. It’s almost as if it’s taken upon itself a challenge to see how many variants can be spun out of just two model ranges (for the record there are six from two models).

The good thing is that it’s worth taking time to understand the machinations of Modena, because each is a gem. However, last month we reviewed the Granturismo S Automatica and pronounced it the best iteration of the super GT car.

This time we’re taking a close look at the Quattroporte Sport GT S – which sits above the Quattroporte S.

And is the GT S the finest of breed when it comes to the QP?

Well it gets the same 4.7-litre V8 that makes such a beast out of the Granturismo S cars. But so does the S.

So what’s the difference between them?

Firstly it gets a remapped engine and a sports exhaust – the same exhaust system in fact that sits in the rump of the Granturismo S Cambiocorsa. From the moment you press the Sport button, the valves in the pipes which normally take the exhaust gases around the houses to water down their energy and quieten the output, open up.

This sends the raging emissions straight out through those big oval exhausts, giving the car its nutter-mad, loud personality, plus an extra 10bhp, slashing a few crucial fractions off the 0-100kph time.

Does the tranny get beefed up too?

Oh yes. The ZF torque converter continues to do a great impression of an automated manual and now boasts even faster and more aggressive changes, holding on to gears and giving the driver better control. It even has launch control!

Anything else?

Just check out its stance. The front and rear suspension features single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and the ride height drops 10mm at the front and 25mm at the back.

Combined with the massive 20-inch wheels and ultra-low profile tyres with the merest sliver of black separating the alloys from the road surface, and it has a real hunkered down sportscar profile. Even if that means you have to take it real easy around speed bumps, potholes and kerbs, plus the ride comfort is slightly compromised.

To read more, click next below.

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