Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S deliveries start in Oz

Interest rates may be on the rise, along with inflation but it doesn’t seem to be hurting the ‘big end’ of town, with Maserati reporting a 77 per cent rise in its Australian sales in the first quarter of 2008. Those sales are set to increase with the arrival of the ultimate Maserati Quattroporte, the Sport GT-S, as deliveries start in Australia after its local debut at the 2008 Melbourne International Motor Show.

“The Maserati Quattroporte is a car that could only be produced in Italy. It is an effortless blend of exclusive performance, style, handling and luxury delivered with a refinement and delicacy of touch that sets it apart from its heavy-handed rivals. The Sport GT-S sets a new benchmark for handling and roadholding with suspension and brakes derived from Maserati’s world-beating race programme, yet at the same time it remains comfortable and luxurious – a unique feat,” says Edward Butler, General Manager of Maserati Australia and New Zealand.

Based on the best-selling Maserati of all time, the Sport GT-S features a new suspension system that has been developed specifically to provide the luxury sports saloon with sports car-like handling and roadholding, without compromising ride quality, a feat that Maserati believe they have achieved.

The new suspension system offers a higher level of body control, sharper turn-in for the steering and makes ever better use of the massive grip offered by 20 inch wheels and tyres. Yet, at the same time damping and spring control, working in harmony with the seat spring rates, maintains ride comfort so that while the driver is reveling in sports car-like levels of response from the chassis, the passengers are able to savor the Quattroporte’s luxury.

Ensuring the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S stops as well as it goes, are a set of composite dual-cast disc brakes, the first time such a set up has been employed on a road car.

Styling changes are subtle, with the discreet 20 inch dark chrome alloy wheels and use of Alcantara cloth inside the Sport GT-S setting it apart.

The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S is the big fella in the Maserati stable with a recommended retail price of $308,000.

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