Triumph of Engineering
Engaging the Driver While the Car Shifts Itself

What better way for Maserati to celebrate spectacular success in 2006 than to begin 2007 by launching the Quattroporte Automatic, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The foundation of the new models is the unparalleled ZF six-speed automatic gearbox, which further tunes driving comfort with smooth, fluid action with rapid, accurate shifting.  For the segment-leading luxury sedan, the ZF unit represents a broadening of choice and increased accessibility for those who want a Maserati but demand an automatic transmission.

An automatic transmission allows changing gears without the direct intervention of the Maserati driver. Precision engineering has resulted in comparable final drive gear ratios for the Automatic and DuoSelect models, and in lower gear ratios for the Automatic in the 5th and 6th overdrive gears. The replacement of the clutch with a torque converter can make driving still more simple and relaxed. The driving experience remains nonetheless exciting thanks to the Maserati’s insistence that the driver be able to change gears manually with the shapely shift lever on the console or inviting gearshift paddles located behind the steering wheel.

The Quattroporte Automatic fatures the engine placed back inside the front axle.
Thanks to this lay-out, weight distribution is still optimal: 49% front; 51% rear (vs 47%;53% of the Quattroporte Sport GT DuoSelect)

The performance of the Maserati Quattroporte Automatic V8 is optimally tuned to produce a smooth, fluid driving experience at a maximum torque of 339 lb/ft delivered at 4250 rpm. The hydraulic torque-converter automatic transmission is also designed to boost driving smoothness at low to medium speeds of the mellifluous 7,200rpm 4.2 liter 90 degree V8 Maserati engine without limiting its power. Indeed, its massive 400bhp and over 333lb-ft of torque are if anything more accessible at lower engine speeds. Performance is further enhanced by an electronic drive-by-wire accelerator complementing the additional comfort and drivability delivered by the new transmission.

The engineers at Maserati have successfully preserved the aggressive nature of the Quattroporte through optimal weight distribution, by keeping the engine and the new transmission well behind the front axle, enhancing the car’s traction and acceleration while assuring it is exceptionally stable and well-balanced. This unique 49:51 front to rear weight distribution is what separates the Quattroporte from a the dullness of “flagship sedans” and makes it a car that demands to be unleashed and flies out ahead of the masses in all conditions, yet remains easy to handle.  

It is a tribute to Maserati engineers that the rear weight bias was maintained even with the larger 6-speed automatic transmission mounted. The deliberate and precise weight distribution gives the Quattroporte a definitive edge relative to all other cars in its class, translating into a more enjoyable driving experience enhanced by better braking and freer acceleration, not to mention improved grip on the driving wheels, which can be especially valuable in low-grip conditions. Furthermore, concentrating all of this weight inside the axles allows for better response time when changing direction. The technical innovations in the Quattroporte Automatic make the car very easy to drive, cementing Maserati’s position at the pinnacle of the luxury sedan market.  

Visit your local authorized Maserati dealer today to learn more about the latest innovation from the leader of the luxury sedan segment - the revolutionary Maserati Quattroporte Automatic.