Maserati has announced a new version of the Quattroporte, the Sport GT S. There is more power, revised suspension and a series of cosmetic changes. It will be launched in Detroit at the
North American International Auto Show in January and commemorates the 70th anniversary of Maserati's first victory at the Indianapolis 500.
Mechanically the Sport GT S should be a little sharper to drive thanks to single rate dampers, stiffer springs and a lower ride height. The
standard Quattroporte has 395bhp, but the Sport's 4.7-litre V8 has been tuned to give 433bhp. That power reaches the rear wheels through an automatic transmission with a revised and more sporting shift program. A sports exhaust is fitted with a valve that allows it to produce "a deep, throaty and captivating sound."
Maserati's new model can be identified by a range of cosmetic changes. The headlamps are new, with a metallic titanium finish; the grille features concave vertical slats and the Maserati badge has red accents to indicate the model's sporting status. Other changes include body coloured door handles and black trim around the side windows and on the exhaust pipes. Inside, new sports seats are finished in leather and Alcantara.
We'll get our first proper look at the Quattroporte Sport GT S at the 2009 North American International Auto Show which runs from 11th to 25th January.
John Lambert - 23 Dec 2008