IntroductiontoMaserati

Interioroverview

The interiorupholsteredin Poltrona Frau leatherand Alcantara (usedforthe steering wheeland centreofthe seatwiththe optiontoextendtothe wholeofthe headlining) reflectthe sportyflairofthe Maserati GranTurismoS; the frontand rearseatsare distinguishedbytheirnewdynamicdesign withhorizontalpipingon the seatsand seatbacks.

As analternative tothe standard leather/Alcantara, classictrim interiorsare availablein all Poltrona Frau leather, or in full-grainPekaryleatherwitha sportyand more refinedlook. The Maserati GranTurismoS isavailablein the samevastrangeofmaterialsand colours asthe GranTurismo: the standard versionisavailablein AluGreyor SmokedQuartz, whileuponrequestitispossibletochoosefromamongthreetypesofwood(Rosewood, Walnutand Tanganyikawood) and fivevarnished hues(Piano Black, Sigillo Red, Laque Blue, IceWhite and Decoro Yellow).

Thisisin additiontoa newupholstery optionnamedAluTex, analuminium-coated fibreglassfabricwitha hi-tech, modernlook. WhatmakesAluTexso specialisthe autoclave processitundergoesduringmanufacturing -a fine powderofpure metal is appliedtothe surfacewhichgivesthe fibresan unusualbrillianceand three-dimensional effect.

Dimensionsand Weights

Capacities, performance, fuelconsumptionand emissions

1. Engine

The maintechnicalinnovationon the Maserati GranTurismoS livesunder the bonnet, wherethe latestversionofthe newfamily ofwet-sumppowerunitsisfitted(F136YE).

The newand more powerful4.7 litreV8 engineiscapableofdevelopingpoweroutput of 440 HP at 7,000 rpmand peak torqueof490 Nmat 4,750 rpm.

In keepingwiththe philosophyofthe mostrecent Maserati engines, the 4.7 litrepowerunit adoptsa lubricationsystem withwetsump, first introducedwiththe launchofthe Quattroporte Automatica, and also adoptedon the GranTurismowithautomatic transmissionand nowappliedforthe first time on a modelfittedwithanelectro-actuated gearbox.

Comparedwiththe previousdry sumpsolution, the wetsumpusesfewerpumpsto recoverthe oil and reducesoperatingnoiseconsiderably, tothe benefit ofdrivingcomfort and improvedbalancebetween comfort and performance.

Recognisableon the outsidebythe redcylinderhead covers, the new4.7 L enginewas developedspecificallytoincreasethe car's performance and providethe driver ofthe Maserati GranTurismoS withanevenmore exhilaratingdrivingexperience.

The newengineisreadytocomplywithfuture Euro-5 regulationsforEuropeand LEV2 regulationsforthe USA.

Engine control system: The GranTurismouses the same MotronicME7.1.1 engine control system as used on the GranTurismowith automatic transmission. Mapping is however specific to obtain an increased power output.

On the GranTurismoS, a new plug-in type air flow meter is used: the Bosch HFM7. The HFM7 air flow meter can be easily identified from the HFM5 type meter due to the new connector design.

Mounting plate

Plug-in type mass air flow meter with integrated intake air temperature sensor

Pin-outHFM7 air flow meter:

1.Ground

2.5V referencevoltage

3.12V powersupply

4.Intakeair temperature analoguesignal

5.Mass air flow analoguesignal

Except from the new sensor design, the air flow meter used on F136YE engine is characterised by the absence of an air flow strainer. The task of an air flow strainer is to ensure a regular and laminar air flow inside the sensor duct. Atthe same time the strainer also forms an obstruction to the incoming air flow.

By eliminating the strainer, a power advantage of 7-8 hp is obtained thanks to a more free air flow.

The absence of the strainer will cause turbulences in the sensorduct which translates into an unreliable mass air flow signal. For this reason the mass airflow is no longer the main parameter to calculate the injection quantity, but will only be used to apply corrections on the fuel quantity. Instead, throttle position and engine speed are used as main parameters. This modification implicates a specific calibration of the engine control software.

Exhaust

The Maserati GranTurismoS givesa voice toits440 HP witha specialsportyexhaust system, designedtoemphasisethe deepthroatygrowlofthe newV8 engine, butalso providethe levelofon-boardcomfort expectedfroma GranTurismo. The steel exhaustsystem consistsoftwoexhaustlines, oneforeachbankofcylinders, compensatedwitha centralsilencer. Twopneumaticvalves, controlledelectronicallyby the enginecontrolunitand operatedbythe driver throughthe "Sport" buttonon the centre dashboard, are fittedclose tothe tworearsilencers.

In aestheticterms, the modifieddesign ofthe twoexhaustswithdualoval chrometailpipesmakethe newsystem instantlyrecognisable.

As on allMaserati models, the Maserati GranTurismoS adoptsanexhaust system withmetallicratherthanceramic catalyticconverters. Thissolution reducesthe density ofthe cellsinside the catalyticconvertersand asa result lessensthe sectionresistanttoexhaust gas flow.

In normalconditionsthe valves are closed, forcing the exhaustgasesalonga long and tortuousrouteso thattheylosetheirenergyand are emittedoutwardswithverylittle noise. Thisallchangeswhenthe "Sport" buttonispressed: the valveswhichwereinitially closed, open up througha pneumaticcontroland the flow ofexhaustgasesischannelled down a routethatleadsdirectlytothe outside. Thisprovidesenthusiastswitha distinctive resonance.

2. Clutch

Forthe GranTurismoS, the clutchhasbeen modifiedwithrespecttothe clutchasused on the latestMaserati variantwithrobotizedtransmission(M139 MY06 Duoselect). Thisnewcluch, indicatedas“RibbedFinger”, hasa newlydesigneddiaphragmspringand newfrictionmaterial in ordertoreduce noiseand wear.

The maincharacteristicsofthe clutchhaveremainedunchanged: dry twin-plate, 215 mm disc withhydrauliccontrol. The PIS value hasremainedunchangedat 4,2 mm (327 bit). The clutchposition sensorisnewwithimprovedthermalisolationforthe wiringharnas.

The clutch housing has been redesigned and contains now a clutchsupport shaft with double support bearing. This solution reduces bearing noise and wear.

3. Transmission

The GranTurismoS hasa robotizedmanualtransmissionwithaninnovative super fast gearshiftstrategy(MC-SuperFast). The system layout isofthe transaxletypewiththe longitudinalenginefront-mountedbehindthe frontaxle, rigidlyconnectedbymeansofa steel tube tothe longitudinalgearbox, whichisrear-mountedin unitwiththe differential. Thisgearboxisanevolutionofthe Quattroporte Duoselectgearbox. Seechapter3

“MechanicalComponent

•Robotizedgearboxelectro-actuated6-speed transmission, withhydraulic management operatedelectronicallyusingthe paddlesmountedbehindthe steering wheel, integralwiththe steeringcolumn. Triple-conesynchroniserson 1st and 2nd, and doubleconeon 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.

•Steel 20 mm propshaftflexiblysupported on fourbearingsinside anengine-gearbox connection pipe.

•Segmentedlimited-slipdifferentialwithasymmetricallockfactor(25% in traction, 45% in release).

•Maserati StabilityProgram(MSP), integratingtractioncontrol(ASR), releasetorque regulation(MSR), anti-lockbraking(ABS) and electronic brakeforcedistribution (EBD).

Transmissiongearratios:

Finaldrive ratio: 4.18

Electronic gearboxcontrolGranTurismoS:

The transmissionofthe GranTurismoS isequippedwiththe Sofast4 electronic control system (CFC 301). The gearboxhastwomainoperatingmodes: MANUAL and AUTO Bothmodescan beoverlappedwiththe SPORT function, whichmakesgearchanges quicker. In particular, in MANUAL+SPORT mode the Maserati GranTurismoS activates the innovative MC-SuperFast gearshiftfunction.

The Maserati GranTurismoS Robotizedgearboxsystem hasa total ofsixoperating modes:

• ManualNormal

• ManualSport

• ManualSport withMC-SuperFastshift

• Auto Normal

• Auto Sport

• Ice

Manual-Normalmode:

In MANUAL NORMAL mode the choiceof gearliessolelywiththe driver. Toensure greaterdrivingenjoymentthe system holdsthe gearwhenthe limiterisreached; the controlunitmerelychecksthatthe gearrequestedmatchesenginespeed, so astoavoid takingitbeyondthe limiterwhenshiftingdown, or belowthe minimum speedwhenshifting up.

Withenginespeedabove4,000 rpmand the acceleratordepressedthroughmore than 80% ofitstravel, the fuelcut-off strategyisactivatedon eachgearchange: duringthe gearshiftthisfunctionshortensthe timetakentodischargetorqueand limitsenginespeed reduction, enablingquickergearshifts.