ZF 6-speed into Quattroporte

[omicron]

Maserati will offer a true auto in its Quattroporte flagship in 2007


If you've put off buying your new Maserati Quattroporte because of the lack of a true automatic gearbox, you're in luck. The Italian marque has confirmed that it will launch a full automatic version of its flagship sports sedan next year.

The world debut of the Quattroporte Automatic will be at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show in early  January. It will make its Australasian debut at the Melbourne Motor Show in March -- going on sale locally soon thereafter.

Maserati says the new Quattroporte Automatic will: "complement the existing DuoSelect gearbox equipped models, which use Formula One technology to provide a gearbox that combines manual gearbox performance and the convenience of a self-shifting gearchange."

The auto will feature the excellent ZF-sources six-speed gearbox used by BMW, Jaguar and, closer to home, Ford Oz.

The new transmission should curtail the criticism the overtly sporty current set-up has received from some propsective buyers and media types.

The new transmission results in a slight improvement in weight distribution (49:51 front/rear vs the DuoSelect's 47:53) and Maserati says the 4.2-litre 90-degree V8 remains at its full 400hp fettle in the auto version.

Prices have not been announced? Although with the Quattroporte currently priced from $258,000 to around $290,000, we can't see a few grand here or there really being a major concern for buyers.

http://carpoint.com.au/car-review/2232604.aspx

This is excellent news. Obviously, I've never had the chance to experience a Quattroporte in any form, but the ZF is a fantastic transmission and here's hoping for more sales for Maserati as a result.

[Raza]

Absolutely brilliant idea.

[SVT_Power]

There's no normal manual available right?

[Raza]

There's no normal manual available right?

No, there is not.

[SVT_Power]

Only if they could make the sequential shift more smooth

[JYODER240]

Great decision. Maybe I can convince my dad on one.

[sandertheshark]

"The new transmission should curtail the criticism the overtly sporty current set-up has received from some propsective buyers and media types."

Maserati criticized for being overtly sporty?

[Raghavan]

"The new transmission should curtail the criticism the overtly sporty current set-up has received from some propsective buyers and media types."

Maserati criticized for being overtly sporty?

Yes, because the transmission isn't smooth, makes harsh shifts, etc, and most buyers won't even use the manual function anywho.

[sportyaccordy]

Why not just go w/DSG? All problems solved

[Raza]

Why not just go w/DSG? All problems solved

Perhaps they don't have a DSG system.

[sandertheshark]

Perhaps they don't have a DSG system.

I hear they're developing one with Ferrari.

[sandertheshark]

The thing is Maserati has always made brutish sporting cars that only a very few enthusiasts ever buy.  Now recently they've been drifting into the main stage of luxury sedans, and a bunch of bed-wetting auto journalists whine about the manual transmission being a bitch to operate.  "Mercedes and Audi have nice, smooth automatics and DSGs.  Maserati needs one if they want to compete..."  Shut up.  Maserati sells only a couple thousand of these things every year.  They're not out to compete with the Germans.  They need a better transmission but they don't need to soften it or sacrifice its sporting character just to have more mass appeal.  Maserati shouldn't have to sell its soul just because Autoblog says so.

[JYODER240]

The thing is Maserati has always made brutish sporting cars that only a very few enthusiasts ever buy.? Now recently they've been drifting into the main stage of luxury sedans, and a bunch of bed-wetting auto journalists whine about the manual transmission being a bitch to operate.? "Mercedes and Audi have nice, smooth automatics and DSGs.? Maserati needs one if they want to compete..."? Shut up.? Maserati sells only a couple thousand of these things every year.? They're not out to compete with the Germans.? They need a better transmission but they don't need to soften it or sacrifice its sporting character just to have more mass appeal.? Maserati shouldn't have to sell its soul just because Autoblog says so.

The problem is the sports/GT cars they have been making aren't as good as the their competition(911). I'd rather see them move towards the luxury market and beat BMW at their own game.

[MX793]

The thing is Maserati has always made brutish sporting cars that only a very few enthusiasts ever buy. 

I presume you are excluding the TC here, as I don't think any enthusiasts bought that gussied up LeBaron.

[sportyaccordy]

I presume you are excluding the TC here, as I don't think any enthusiasts bought that gussied up LeBaron.

Actually I'm currently a member of the international Maserati club, and the TC constituent is by far the majority, with over 1,000 owners and 22,000 admirers. It was the best of all worlds...early 90s American architecture, Italian electronics and reliabilty, and the perfect balance of luxury and performance.

If a TC is a gussied up LeBaron, then an F430 is a gussied up Fiat.

[heelntoe]

this is great news, i just hope they dont discontinue the sequential box.
i'd pick this over an E-klasse.

[TheIntrepid]

If a TC is a gussied up LeBaron, then an F430 is a gussied up Fiat.

I disagree. The TC was badged a Chrysler and was prominently a LeBaron




Can you REALLY tell the difference without the badges?

[93JC]

Believe it or not, the TC and LeBaron shared only two exterior body parts: the driver's side door handle and passenger side door handle.

[JYODER240]

this is great news, i just hope they dont discontinue the sequential box.
i'd pick this over an E-klasse.

The Quattroporte isn't in the same class as a E-class, its about 2x as expensive.

[heelntoe]

E63 and the maser seem to fall into the same price range. and for that money, id rather have somthing that will get me noticed.
against an s-class, i'd choose this first as well.

[JYODER240]

E63 and the maser seem to fall into the same price range. and for that money, id rather have somthing that will get me noticed.
against an s-class, i'd choose this first as well.

Its still a good 20K cheaper but at least they have similar performance. E-class was a bit vague though.

[heelntoe]

yeah, i realize that. but i had no idea what this thing costs.

[MX793]

If a TC is a gussied up LeBaron, then an F430 is a gussied up Fiat.

If a Ferrari was a Ferrari body on Fiat mechanicals (chassis and powertrain), then yes, it would be gussied up Fiat.

The TC was built on the LeBaron chassis.  The 3.0L Mitsubishi-sourced V6 was straight out of the LeBaron, as was the 3 spd automatic that went with it.  The 8v 2.2L Turbo was straight from the LeBaron line as well.  The twin cam 2.2L (rare) was unique to the TC (found in other Chrysler products, though) and had Maserati heads (IIRC, actually from Cosworth), but was still a Chrysler motor.

Pretty much all of the exterior of the TC was unique.  Much of the TC's interior was unique, but you could see bits and pieces of LeBaron here and there (automatic gearshift, gauge cluster, steering wheel).  The TC was, for all intents and purposes, a custom-bodied LeBaron.

[93JC]

The TC was built on the LeBaron chassis.

Actually a bespoke chassis (Q-body) using bits and pieces from the LeBaron (J-body) and Daytona (G-body).

The 3.0L Mitsubishi-sourced V6 was straight out of the LeBaron, as was the 3 spd automatic that went with it.

Four-speed, not three. The 8v turbo engine came with a 3-speed.

The twin cam 2.2L (rare) was unique to the TC (found in other Chrysler products, though)

How can it be unique and found in other Chrysler products?

This engine was unique to this car. The block was basically the same as the other turbocharged 2.2 Chrysler fours, but everything else was different.

and had Maserati heads (IIRC, actually from Cosworth),

That's right.

(the other DOHC heads used in the Spirit and Daytona R/Ts were designed by Lotus)

but was still a Chrysler motor.

Except for, well, almost everything beyond the block.

[Raza]

I hear they're developing one with Ferrari.

But they don't have it yet.

[Raza]

The thing is Maserati has always made brutish sporting cars that only a very few enthusiasts ever buy.  Now recently they've been drifting into the main stage of luxury sedans, and a bunch of bed-wetting auto journalists whine about the manual transmission being a bitch to operate.  "Mercedes and Audi have nice, smooth automatics and DSGs.  Maserati needs one if they want to compete..."  Shut up.  Maserati sells only a couple thousand of these things every year.  They're not out to compete with the Germans.  They need a better transmission but they don't need to soften it or sacrifice its sporting character just to have more mass appeal.  Maserati shouldn't have to sell its soul just because Autoblog says so.

Which is fine, if they don't really want to stay in business.

[Raza]

Actually I'm currently a member of the international Maserati club, and the TC constituent is by far the majority, with over 1,000 owners and 22,000 admirers. It was the best of all worlds...early 90s American architecture, Italian electronics and reliabilty, and the perfect balance of luxury and performance.

If a TC is a gussied up LeBaron, then an F430 is a gussied up Fiat.

Italian reliability?

[sportyaccordy]

I was just kidding. I don't even think there are 8 TC's on the road. Consider yourself lucky if you see one, and buy a crate of lotto tickets if you see one running...

A 3 speed auto?  I don't even think Hyundai was offering those by the time the TC was released.

[SJ_GTI]

I was just kidding. I don't even think there are 8 TC's on the road. Consider yourself lucky if you see one, and buy a crate of lotto tickets if you see one running...

A 3 speed auto?? I don't even think Hyundai was offering those by the time the TC was released.

I think 3-speed autos were still being used in some economy cars up until the 90's. I know dodge used on in the Neon. I think the base Corolla was using one as well.

[sandertheshark]

If a Ferrari was a Ferrari body on Fiat mechanicals (chassis and powertrain), then yes, it would be gussied up Fiat.

The TC was built on the LeBaron chassis. The 3.0L Mitsubishi-sourced V6 was straight out of the LeBaron, as was the 3 spd automatic that went with it. The 8v 2.2L Turbo was straight from the LeBaron line as well. The twin cam 2.2L (rare) was unique to the TC (found in other Chrysler products, though) and had Maserati heads (IIRC, actually from Cosworth), but was still a Chrysler motor.

Pretty much all of the exterior of the TC was unique. Much of the TC's interior was unique, but you could see bits and pieces of LeBaron here and there (automatic gearshift, gauge cluster, steering wheel). The TC was, for all intents and purposes, a custom-bodied LeBaron.

That's a page in automotive history that should be rimmed in black.