The Maserati Connection

During the history of Maserati, a number of technical collaborations with other car manufacturers came into existence. Mostly it where other car constructors who benefited from Maserati’stechnical know how.

The best known example is probably the Citroën SM, who resulted from the ownership of Maseratiby the French company. Its all-alloy, quad-cam V6 engine was made by Maserati (tipoC.114) and later in modified versions also used in Maserati’sown Merakand QuattroporteII models. About 13.000 units were produced between 1970 and 1975. This car was for many years the world’s fastest front wheel drive production car.

Maserati’sTipoC.114 engine was also used in the only sports berlinettamade by French car constructor Guy Ligier, the JS2 (named after racing driver Jo Schlesser, who was killed during the French Gran Prix of 1968). The engine was first used in 12-valve and later also in 24-valve configuration, boosting the power to 240 bhp. About 200 units were built between 1972 and 1977.

During the 1980’s, the friendship between then Maseratiowner Alejandro De Tomasoand Chrysler’s boss Lee Iacocca led to the creation of the “Chrysler TC by Maserati”, a convertible that was intended to become Chrysler’s image-building flagship. Maserati delivered know-how and engineered certain components for this vehicle, but despite it had Maseratiwritten on the valve cover, its engine was not a Maseratiunit. 7300 vehicles were produced between 1989 and 1991, all designated for the American market.

More recently, Maserati’sexpertise in the production of limited-series, high performance sports cars was used by group partner Alfa Romeo for its 8C Competizionesports car. A lot of its mechanical components, such as the V8 engine and robotized gearbox, origin from Maserati. Limited production of 500 units started in late 2007 at Maserati’sModena plant and will be followed by another 500 units of a spider version (planned for 2009).

Coupé, Spyder& GranSport

General Information

Introduction

Thisnew generation of Maserati GrandTurismo vehicleswasrungin bythe presentation of the Spyderat the Frankfurt motor show in September2001. Thiswasfollowedlittle later bythe presentationof the Coupéat the Detroit motor show in Januari2002. Bothvehicles presenta completelynew technicallayout asthe resultof the closetechnicalcollaboration withFerrari. Withrespecttothe 3200GT model, the twin turbo enginewasabandonnedin favourof a completelynew, normally-aspirated V8 enginewitha total displacementof 4.2 litres.

Alsothe transmissionwastotallynew. The gearboxwasno longerfixedbehind the engine butwasnowmountedat the rearof the vehiclewhereitformsa single unitwiththe limited slip differential(transaxleconfiguration). The possibility fora traditionalautomatic transmission(asforthe 3200 GTa) wasno longeroffered. Instead, the Coupéand Spyder wereavalablewithbothmanualand robotizedgearbox. The lateroffersthe possibilityto bedrivenin fullyautomaticmode. The manualversionisreferedtoasCoupéGT and SpyderGT, whilethe versionwithrobotizedmanualgearboxiscalledCoupéCambiocorsa and SpyderCambiocorsa.

The Maserati Spyderhas a 220 mm shortenedfloorplanwithrespecttothe Coupéand existsstrictlyasa two-seateronly.

The body lines of the Coupéresemble muchtoitspredecessor, the 3200GT, but the technicallayout iscompletelynew. The boomerang-shapedtaillightsof the 3200GT werereplacedbymore traditional modelledunitsforAmerican homologation reasons.

The Coupéand Spydermodelsintroduced Maserati’s return tothe American market.

IntroductiontoMaserati

Main characteristics:

•Optimal weight distribution between front and rear axle (52% front, 48% rear for the Coupé, 53% front, 47% rear for the Spyder.

•Monocoquebodyshellreinforced with a tubular structure designed to respond to the highest standard in passive safety.

•Typical Italian muscular and harmonious body style with long hood and compact tail. Designed by Giugiaro’sItaldesign

•Roof operated by an electro-hydraulic system.

•Roof of the Spyderoperated by an electro-hydraulic system. Fully automatic opening and closing of the soft top by pushing a button in only 25 seconds. Soft top is fitted with a heated glass rear window.

•Spacious luggage compartment of 315 litres (Coupé) or 300 litres (Spyder). A tailor made set of leather suitcases is available upon request.

•Some modifications were made for MY03. New 7-spoke alloy wheels were available as an optional.

•A special series “Spyder90°Anniversary”was presented at the 2004 Paris motor show to celebrate the brand’s 90°anniversary. Only 90 pieces were made, all finished in a special “Blu Anniversary”blue colour.

•A special series “CoupéVintage”was presented in 2005. This model had the same alloy wheels as the GranSportand is further recognisable by a small chrome grill on its side wings.

Modifications for MY05:

•Newly designed front bumper and new chrome grille in line with the GranSportmodel.

•Newly designed rear bumpers in line with the GranSportmodel.

•7-spoke light alloy 18”wheels as standard.

The Maserati M138 modelseriesusea complete newengine(F136R)

•Compact and light 8 cylinderin V, 90°

•4.244 cc overboreengine

•Dry sumplubricationsystem, racingpedigree.

•Fouroverheadcamshafts, drivenbychains. Timing variatorson the intakecamshafts

•Fourvalvesper cylinder, hydraulictappets.

•Bosch MotronicME7.1.1 integratedinjectionand ignitionsystem, drive bywire.

•Immediate throttleresponsefora sportydrivingstyle, maximumdrivingpleasurein dailyuse.

•Poweroutput of390 hp at 7000 rpm

•Torqueoutput of452 Nmat 4500 Nm

Engineevolutions:

•ComplyingEuro 4 standard fromMY06 forthe marketswherenecessary.

•Doublefuelpumpreplacedbya single unitfromMY06.

•New engineoil reservoirfromMY06 forUS/CDN specifications.

Seechapter3 formore detailson the F136R engine.

Manualtransmission:

•Newlydesignedtransaxleconfigurationwith rearmountedgearbox/differentialand torque reactiontube guaranteeanexcellentweight distributionbetweenthe frontand rearaxles.

•Dualplateclutchwithreducedrotational inertiaallowsthe enginetopickup and loose speedquickly.

•Standard 6-speed gearbox, madeby Graziano.

•Limitedslip differential, 25 % lockingratio duringacceleration, 45 % duringrelease.

Cambiocorsatransmission:

•Electro-hydraulicoperationsystem forboth gearboxand clutchcontrol.

•Mechanicalgearboxrequiresno modifications foradaptionofthe Cambiocorsasystem

•Gerashiftingbymeansofthogearshift paddlesbehindthe steeringwheel.

•Possibilitytobedrivenin boyhmanualand fullyautomaticmode.

•Normal, Sport and Ice(low adherance) operationmodes.

Evolutions:

•Software update to Sofast(CFC201) for smoothergearchange, more drivingcomfort and lessnoise.

•AdaptionofSofastII (CFC231) from assembly12.204.

IntroductiontoMaserati

Braking System

Coupé, Spyder& GranSport

•Brembo brakingsystem withlight alloy4pistoncalipers.

•Ventilatedand perforatedbrakediscs, 330 x 32 mm front, 310 x 28 mm rear.

•Bosch 5.7 integratedABS system concludes: ABS anti brake-locksystem, EBD electronic brakeforcedistribution, MSR topreventthe rearwheelsfromlocking duringdownshifting, ASR tractioncontrol system and MSP stabilitycontrol.

Suspensions and Wheels

•Light alloysuspensionlevers, double wishbonetypewithantidive and antisquatgeometry.

•Skyhooksystem withelectronically controlleddampingavailableupon request.

•TwooperationlogicsforSkyhook: Normaland Sport.

Evolutions:

•New shock absorberssettingsand new Skyhooksystem software and hardware forMY06.

Safety Components

•Twodualstage frontairbags

•Twoside airbags, integratedin doorpanels

•Seatbeltswithpyrotechnicalpretensioners

•Inertiaswitchforfuelcut-off in case ofa collision.

Internals

•The interior of the Coupéand Spyderis characterised by the use of precious materials, cured in every detail.

•Optimal driving position and ergonomic seats which are fully electrically adjustable.

•Easy Entry system for easy access to the rear seats (Coupé)

•Sportiness without compromising comfort, room for four adults (Coupé).

•Classical Analogue instruments, characterized by white dashes on a blue background.

•MaseratiInfo Centre with with a 5,8”colour info screen showing information about the sound system with CD player, and automatic climate control. On request also satellite navigation, GSM telephone and CD-changer.

•Traditional analogue clock integrated in the centerof the dashboard panel.

GranSport

With the GranSport, presented at the Geneva motor show of 2004, Maseratirevives one of the great names of its own motoring heritage to indicate the most dynamic version of the M138 model range. The GranSportname was used in the 1950’s to indicate an elegant two-litre coupe on the basis of the famous A6G model with Fruabodywork. The GranSportincorporates all necessary ingredients to convert the Coupéfrom a great performance GT car in a true driving machine. The GranSportwas joined later by an open GranSportSpyderversion, presented at the Frankfurt motor show of 2005.

Various modifications gave the GranSporta more sporty temperament:

•ModifiedF136R enginedeliversnow400 hp at 7000 rpm. 10 horsepowerwas gainedbyadaptinga newenginecontrolsoftware, intakeair ductsand valve seats wereelaboratedand internalfrictionwasreducedbyreworkingseveralcomponents.

•Newlydesignedexhaustsystem withelectronicallycontrolledpneumaticby-pass valvesforthe rearsilencersprovidea deepand sportyenginesound

•Excellentperformances: top speedof290 km/h and acceleration from0 to100 km/h in only4.85 seconds. The standing kilometeriscoveredin 23 seconds.

IntroductiontoMaserati

Coupé, Spyder& GranSport

•New light alloywheelswithTridentdesign inspiredbythe Trofeo championshiopcars. Diameterincreasedto19”and newtyres.

•10 mm loweredsuspensionand newsuspensionsettings.

•New controllingsoftware forCambiocorsagearbox(standard) leadstofastergearshifting(35% faster).

•6°gearwitha 5% longerratio.

Externals:

•Variousexternalmodificationsare the resultofintense testingwork in the windtunel.

•More muscularand sporty appearance

•Coefficientofdrag ofonly0,33: amongstthe best in itscategory

•New and largerfrontgrillewith chromemeshwhichremindsofthe Quattroporte grille.

•Newlydesignedfrontand rear bumper.

•Newlydesignedsportyside sills

•Smallbootlidspoiler

Internals:

•New leatherupholsteryand new special“technical”fabricforthe dashboardcomingfromthe nautical world

•New ergonomicseatswithimproved lateralsupport, fullyelectrically adjustable.

•Newlydesignedcentralconsole with carbonfibre inlay

•Blue“START”buttonon central console

•New instrumentpanelwithsportywhite graphicson a bluebachground

•New leatherand carbonfibre steering wheelwithergonomicgrip.

•New Becker “On LinePro”audio system.

•New aluminiumsportypedals

GranSportContemporaryClassic

This special edition of the GranSport was presented at the 2006 Paris motor show. The GranSportContemporary Classic is recognisable by its alloy wheels with “Ball Polish”finishing and red painted brake calipers.

GranSportMC Victory

To celebrate the winning of the Constructors Cup with its MC12 racing cars in the 2005 FIA GT Championship, Maseratienriches her model range with a special version of the GranSportproduced in a limited series of only 180 pieces. The GranSportMC Victory has the following specific features:

•Special “Victory Blue”external colour

•A numbered identification plate on the central console

•A newly designed carbon fibre front spoiler with lateral profiling improves downforce

•A small boot lid spoiler finished in carbon fibre

•19”alloy wheels in titanium finishing

•Label with the Italian flag on both front side wings reminds to the MC12 racing cars

•Bucket seats made of carbon fibre are taken from the MC12, finished in blue leather and alcantara.

•Blue alcantaraupholstery of the dasboard.

•Carbon fibre central console