MASERATI COUPÉ
The Maserati two-door models
The Maserati story is one of consistent sporting pedigree. The Trident’s use of performance-oriented technology began with its first car, the Tipo 26, a stunningly successful racer. Creative engineering, both in its racing and road-going cars, has been part of the marque since it opened its doors 90 years ago. The results have helped systematically sweep aside Maserati’s competitors. Two shining examples of this creative engineering are the transaxle system used during the 1957 World Championship which made Fangio’s car almost unbeatable, and the incredibly light, compact yet muscular dry sump engine with cylinder heads equipped with long inlet tracts that gives the Trident’s current models such exceptional power and torque.But Maserati’s consistency has also extended to its cars’ unique yet understated styling, the luxurious comfort of sophisticated, quality materials, and the discreet colours chosen for cars that can be used every day, cars that are as well loved by women as men. 
Last but not least, Maserati has always boasted great consistency in its models. Its four-door cars have all been known as Quattroporte, positive proof that exceptional cars can even make the most everyday names their own. Then there are the two-door cars: the Coupé models, which have often been four-seaters, and, of course, the Spyder models. Eight different variants of these have been designed in the marque’s history. Each one of those eight has made its mark on their own particular era, thanks to its huge originality and personality.
THE CONCEPT
Technological Excellence: Maserati’s common denominator
There is no doubt whatsoever that what makes these wonderful cars so exceptional is their technical content. The light, compact V8 engine, transaxle architecture, Cambiocorsa gearbox, Skyhook suspension system, MSP, and traction control and braking by CAN (Controlled Area Network) line are the main features of Trident models inspired by the very best Italian tradition.
ENGINE
The engine powering the Coupé is an awesome 4244 cc eight cylinder, 90-degree "V", normally-aspirated engine. It is light, powerful, and like most advanced racing engines, has a dry sump lubrication and pump assembly outside the monobloc.The performance of this spectacular engine is enhanced by timing gear featuring two overhead, chain-driven camshafts per bank, four valves-per-cylinder driven by hydraulic tappets and inlet camshafts equipped with continuously variable timing.
Other features include Bosch ME7.3.2 ignition and injection systems and an accelerator with electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle control, while the microprocessor control units (MCU) interact with the other systems via high speed CAN (Controlled Area Network) line to optimise operation of the engine.
A mighty 390 hp (287 kW) at 7000 rpm and spirited 452 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm mean that the Coupé delivers breathtaking performance, power and flexibility. The result is an exhilarating drive and an engine that passes all known present and future environmental standards. Generous torque at all speeds ensures maximum driving pleasure in everyday use and incredibly gratifying responsiveness in sportier situations.
This beautifully engineered power unit produces stunning performance. The Maserati Coupé will accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds and continue until it reaches its maximum speed of 177 mph (285km/h) where permitted. The Maserati Coupé will sprint 1000 metres from standstill in under 24 seconds.
TRANSMISSION AND GEARBOX
The transaxle layout, in which the gearbox is positioned at the rear of the car in a single unit with the differential, offers optimum weight distribution between the front and the rear axle.This optimises traction and acceleration for a more stable, balanced performance in all conditions. In short, the transaxle delivers extraordinarily exhilarating driving and exceptional road-holding in one neat package. As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, the Coupé is also available with an F1-style Cambiocorsa gearbox with hydraulic operation and electronic management operated by paddles behind the steering wheel, so that no clutch pedal is needed. The system allows the driver to choose between four different operating modes: Normal, Sport, Auto and Low Grip.Each of these programmes is selected by means of console-mounted buttons, corresponding to different types of operating mode.
MANUAL - with two levels of sportiness, linked to different electronic stability control (Maserati Stability Programme - MSP) and Skyhook settings. These are designed to give either maximum vehicle control in the more comfortable Normal setting or greater driving pleasure, once again in complete safety, in the Sport setting.
AUTOMATIC - with fully automated, fluid and progressive gear changes. The driver is still able to choose between Normal or Sport mode and to rapidly revert to manual, thanks to the F1-style paddles.
ICE - for low grip surfaces, guarantees smooth starting and gear changes on snow and ice.
In short, the Cambiocorsa combines authentic GT driving pleasure with the slick gear changing of an electro-actuated gearbox which makes better use of the powerful engine and guarantees maximum safety in handling such enormous power.
SUSPENSION
Designed to combine excellent dynamic handling with sumptuous comfort, the Maserati Coupé light alloy double wishbone suspension with anti-dive and antisquat geometries, offers a combination of superb performance and uncompromising comfort.The rear suspension is fitted with a toe-in regulator bar which enhances the precision of the drive train, assuring optimal tyre grip at all times and perfectly balanced cornering. The front suspension layout incorporates "anti-dive" features to prevent nose-diving when braking. The suspension system is completed by front and rear anti-roll bars.
To further enhance dynamic characteristics, Maserati and Mannesmann-Sachs developed the Skyhook adaptive damping system, one of the most advanced of its kind. This system, via a set of sensors, continually monitors the movement of the wheels and car body, and transmits this information to a central unit. By analysing this data, the control unit determines the road and vehicle running conditions and instantaneously adjusts each damper accordingly. The Skyhook radically improves ride quality in that it perfectly and "actively" controls the damping rate and hence the vehicle response in all conditions, producing maximum effectiveness in true comfort.And it does so up to 10 times faster than other systems available on the market.In addition to this automatic adjustment, the driver can also choose different operating modes at any time: Normal and Sport. The former ensures that every bump on the road is beautifully absorbed and maximum comfort is maintained at all times, while the latter is more performance-oriented. In both cases, a flatter set-up, more direct, precise steering and new tyres with improved lateral grip make driving even more accurate and fun.
SAFETY
Superior dynamics don’t only translate into excellent performance. The overall set-up of all of the components connected to driving and road behaviour are the result of a design created to strike a perfect balance between comfort, sportiness, with active and passive safety.The Coupé employs a Brembo braking system with light alloy four-piston callipers all round and cross-drilled large ventilated discs (front 330 mm x 32, rear 310 mm x 28) to guarantee immediate deceleration and shorter braking distances. The two-stage servo brake is calibrated to retain high sensitivity, even with a very rapid reaction time, and is assisted by the four-channel Bosch 5.7 ABS anti-lock braking system, the EBD electronic braking corrector, and the MSR system, which controls the engine to prevent locking of the rear wheels when drivers change down to exploit engine braking.Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) integrates the ABS, ASR and EBD functions by acting on the brakes and engine to help the driver control the vehicle even in the most extreme conditions. The system accomplishes this using a set of sensors to detect any deviations from the ideal dynamic behaviour of the car. These sensors track everything from wheel position to the steering angle and toe-in.
When necessary, the system acts on the brakes and engine to guarantee that the driver always remains fully in control of the car. Moreover, if the Skyhook or Cambiocorsa are present, the MSP offers two modes of intervention, one is normal (more control and safety oriented) and the other (which the driver selects) is more performance-geared and once again leaves more room for fun driving by intervening to a lesser extent on stability control. Finally, expert drivers and sports purists will be happy to know that they can completely exclude electronic stability control altogether at the touch of a button on the central console, whilst still leaving the ABS active.The kind of meticulous attention that has been devoted to active safety has also been lavished on important passive safety features too. Starting with the steel monocoque construction with supplementary integrated tubular structure in front section, every element was developed to exceed even the most severe passive safety standards and the most recent collision regulations.
The standard safety equipment offered by the Coupé is completed by four front and side airbags, front seatbelts with electronically controlled pretensioners and a safety inertia switch which cuts off fuel supply in the event of an impact or violent stop.
The Maserati Coupé: Maserati Tradition
Maserati made its debut on the world stage as a limited-series road car builder with its first coupé, the A6, at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1947, just the second post-war show after Paris. The company was already famous the world over for its racing successes, including two consecutive victories in the Indianapolis 500, when it unveiled the Pininfarina-bodied 1500 cc, in-line six-cylinder engined car. Although the Modenese constructor would continue to concentrate its talents on the track for another decade, culminating in Fangio’s Formula 1 World title, its awareness of market demands was already clear and that alone signalled the path it would follow in the future. In fact, the coupé was to be the first of a series of Maserati on-road GTs that oozed a unique, exclusive appeal born from the marriage of advanced, sophisticated engineering and unique, refined styling.
However, the big change did not come until 1957 when, just after Juan Manuel Fangio won the World Championship in the extraordinary 250F, the Trident marque announced it was quitting the track to concentrate on its road-going GTs. The 3500 GT was launched the same year. This was the road car whose engine and chassis were derived from the equally renowned 300S, the star of the World Sport Championship. This unique feat of engineering marked the start of a whole new era in styling, quality and comfort.
MASERATI COUPÉ GT AND COUPÉ CAMBIOCORSA
The purity and elegance of unmistakably Italian styling and cutting edge technological content combine to perfection in the lines of the Maserati Coupé, a car that is capable of encompassing the very best that Maserati has to offer in refined racing technology and yet present it all in a classic, ageless style.This is a car built around its engineering – and around its engine. Designed to deliver an even sportier driving experience and an even higher standard of on board luxury.
The Maserati Coupé now brims with clever new styling features which add an extra touch of sportiness to its beautifully sculpted forms. These new features include a more prominent grille, rear air vents and an aerodynamic lip running along the sides. The seven-spoke wheels are now offered as standard equipment too.
STYLING
At the heart of the Coupé’s design is the front-engine tradition of which Maserati has historically been one of the most authentic and authoritative proponents. This marque culture produces distinctive, highly individual cars that transcend fashion, and is perfectly expressed in the elegant lines and muscular stance of the all-Italian design developed by Italdesign Giugiaro.The Coupé boasts an aggressive bonnet and clean, strong lines, with the new grille dominating the central part and the redesigned bumpers enhancing the overall sportiness of the whole ensemble.The Coupé’s graceful bodywork reflects the same soft aggressiveness in the rear, now characterised by the new design of the bumpers and big side air vents covered by the classic fine mesh grille in black.Classic exterior lines frame a cabin designed to cocoon both driver and passengers in an interior that perfectly reflects the Coupé’s muscular exterior forms.
The Coupé’s Maserati GT heritage is evident in a host of details with styling cues ranging from the shape of its nose to the big front grille, the historic oval shield, the "lightning" logo on the C-post, raised details on the seats, and classic oval clock on the facia. 
INTERIOR
Sportiness combined with uncompromising luxury: the Coupé’s cabin is designed to marry the volumes and lines of a thoroughbred sports car with comfortable seating for four adults.Quality materials, handcrafted details and an elegant finish create the kind of exclusivity that have always characterised the Marque and the whole Trident concept of the GT. 
A body-hugging driver’s seat makes it virtually impossible to resist slipping behind the wheel, while sumptuous leather upholstery cocoons passengers in a cabin that combines classic and high-tech features to perfection. The traditional analogue instrumentation facing the driver is now white on a navy blue background. Its controls are intuitive and immediately clear. But the Coupé also boasts the Maserati Info Centre, equipped with an optimised 5.8 inch colour display, at the centre of the facia. This integrated unit controls the sound system with single CD player as standard, the on- board computer, and the climate control system. On request, the Info Centre can also include a GPS satellite navigation system, a GSM telephone module and CD changer. 
Passengers have plenty of room at their disposal too and a comprehensive array of accessories means that on-board comfort is excellent.The Coupé’s specially designed front seats are equipped with all-electric adjustments, while the thought devoted to the needs of rear passengers by the Trident designers is obvious from the addition of "Easy-Entry" system, a central arm rest and convenient air vents.An overall sense of roominess, the inclusion of differently-sized side storage pockets and a spacious 315-litre boot, large enough to take two golf bags or the made-to-measure luggage set (both available on request) make the Coupé the perfect GT for longer trips too.
