Smoother Automatic Transmission to Quell Sequential-Manual Gearbox
If Maserati's Quattroporte has an Achilles heal, it isn't styling, or its sumptuous interior, phenomenal active suspension
system or glorious Ferrari-derived V8 engine. No, only its F1-inspired, paddle-shift actuated, six-speed sequential-manual transmission, also sourced from Ferrari, has received criticism.
While ideal for the prancing horse brand's mid-engine F430 supercar or Maserati's GT Coupe and Spyder Grand Sport models, the Cambiocorsa electrohydraulic gearbox, reconfigured from its Ferrari roots for smoother shifts, is nevertheless considered by some to be too course and balky for a luxury car.
To quell critics and deliver more refined power delivery, the conventional automatic will be available on 2007 model year Quattroporte sedans. Even Maserati S.p.A. CEO Karl-Heinz Kalbfell is on record saying the current transmission has hampered Quattroporte sales.
"It is
to some extent a limiting factor for those who want an easy operation," commented Kalbfell, taking question at a Maserati event in Modena, Italy. "You cannot just put a car like a Maserati down and say, 'Here is the key.' "
No information is available as to where Maserati will source its upcoming automatic, the first conventional auto to be used since a previous-generation Quattroporte. It is possible that the Italian brand will look to Volkswagen Group and its ultra-smooth six-speed with manual-shift mode with paddle-shift actuation, due to a working relationship in component sharing, but VW owns Bentley, its new Continental Flying Spur more expensive, but nevertheless a direct competitor to the Quattroporte.
Those concerned
that the sportier Cambiocorsa gearbox might not be offered alongside the new automatic needn't fret; as the two transmissions will be sold side-by-side when next year's Quattroporte goes on sale in the fall.
It is expected that the new automatic will help Maserati increase its North American Quattroporte sales especially, which rose to 1,550 units last year, out of approximately 3,600 globally - which is up from approximately 2,000 worldwide sales in 2004 when the Quattroporte was introduced.. Altogether, Maserati sold 2,114 vehicles last year, the difference being made up of its Coupe and Spyder models. Kalbfell expects that even with the sequential-manual transmission issue, Maserati's North American sales will rise by approximately fifteen percent this year to about 2,500 units.
The Quattroporte, as well as Maserati's Coupe and Spyder, are considered by premium buyers, to offer excellent value considering the marque's prestigious pedigree and the high quality of the cars. The sedan is Maserati's most approachable, at $108,750, less expensive actually than comparatively powered top-tier models from BMW (760Li is $118,900), Mercedes-Benz (no 2007 S55 AMG or 2005 S600 are yet available) and even Audi (A8 W12 at $118,190).
If Maserati's Quattroporte has an Achilles heal, it isn't styling, or its sumptuous interior, phenomenal active suspension
 |
| The Quattroporte's F1-inspired, paddle-shift actuated, six-speed sequential-manual transmission, sourced from Ferrari, has received criticism. (Photo: Maserati North America) |
While ideal for the prancing horse brand's mid-engine F430 supercar or Maserati's GT Coupe and Spyder Grand Sport models, the Cambiocorsa electrohydraulic gearbox, reconfigured from its Ferrari roots for smoother shifts, is nevertheless considered by some to be too course and balky for a luxury car.
To quell critics and deliver more refined power delivery, the conventional automatic will be available on 2007 model year Quattroporte sedans. Even Maserati S.p.A. CEO Karl-Heinz Kalbfell is on record saying the current transmission has hampered Quattroporte sales.
"It is
 |
| To quell critics and deliver more refined power delivery, a conventional automatic will be available on 2007 model year Quattroporte sedans. (Photo: Maserati North America) |
No information is available as to where Maserati will source its upcoming automatic, the first conventional auto to be used since a previous-generation Quattroporte. It is possible that the Italian brand will look to Volkswagen Group and its ultra-smooth six-speed with manual-shift mode with paddle-shift actuation, due to a working relationship in component sharing, but VW owns Bentley, its new Continental Flying Spur more expensive, but nevertheless a direct competitor to the Quattroporte.
Those concerned
 |
| The new automatic will help Maserati increase its Quattroporte sales, especially in North America. (Photo: Maserati North America) |
It is expected that the new automatic will help Maserati increase its North American Quattroporte sales especially, which rose to 1,550 units last year, out of approximately 3,600 globally - which is up from approximately 2,000 worldwide sales in 2004 when the Quattroporte was introduced.. Altogether, Maserati sold 2,114 vehicles last year, the difference being made up of its Coupe and Spyder models. Kalbfell expects that even with the sequential-manual transmission issue, Maserati's North American sales will rise by approximately fifteen percent this year to about 2,500 units.
The Quattroporte, as well as Maserati's Coupe and Spyder, are considered by premium buyers, to offer excellent value considering the marque's prestigious pedigree and the high quality of the cars. The sedan is Maserati's most approachable, at $108,750, less expensive actually than comparatively powered top-tier models from BMW (760Li is $118,900), Mercedes-Benz (no 2007 S55 AMG or 2005 S600 are yet available) and even Audi (A8 W12 at $118,190).