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New Maserati Coupe spearheads marque's return to the US

In October/November this year Maserati will launch its replacement for the 3200GT model - the new Maserati Coupe. This is an imprortant moment for the Ferrari-owned company as it relaunches its brand in the North American market with the new Coupe alongside the recently launched Spyder. Maserati has had a very successful year in Australia with an astounding 50 orders for the new Spyder, 10 of which were delivered to customers over the last month. Demand comfortable exceeds supply despite the AUD$200,000+ price tag.

The Coupe bears a very close resemblance to its forebear, the 3200GT, but under the skin the car is almost completely new. The engine is a a totally new 4200 cm3 V8 engine in aluminium alloy generating 390bhp giving the car a maximum speed of 285km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds - very respectable. At the same time the car is a geniune GT with room for four passengers, and a boot which can comfortably hold two golf bags. Created by Italdesign-Giugiaro, the Maserati Coupé has a series of innovations, from a prominent new bonnet atop the brand new engine, to the tail with its new concept in lighting design and clear lens technology. As with a number of performance cars coming out of Italy at the moment, the Coupe sports a Formula 1 style gearshift which can also be used in the fully automatic version. It comes with both manual 6-gear transmission, and electronically-activated 6-gear transmission with computerised selection. This option - the Cambiocorsa model - gives the driver the choice between an extremely sporty manual gearshift (with two sports settings available) or Full Automatic. In both cases the engagement and disengagement of the clutch is automatically activated by the electronic management system integrated with engine control. The Cambiocorsa function is activated using the levers behind the steering wheel, while the four different settings available - Normal, Sport, Full Automatic and Low Grip - are selected with dedicated controls.

The Engine
The new, specially designed 4244 cm3 engine, with eight cylinders in a 90° V, is compact and light-weight (only 184 kg), and has the structure of the most advanced racing engine. It is precursor to a new generation of Maserati engines designed to combine performance, torque and efficiency, with emissions in compliance with existing and future regulations.

The crankcase and cylinder heads are in aluminium and silicon alloy, and the crankshaft has five main bearings. Timing is by way of two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank of cylinders and four valves per cylinder. The intake camshafts are equipped with a high pressure continuous valve timing control system, with a complete activation time of less than 0.15 seconds. Lubrication is by dry sump with oil and water pumps in a single block. The integrated Bosch ME7.3.2 ignition and injection ystems with OBD II (On Board Detection and Diagnosis System) allow for the detection of any operating malfunction, as well as guaranteeing that emissions regulations are respected.

The accelerator is electronically controlled via the "drive by wire" system, while the electronic control unit (ECU) interacts with the other systems via a CAN (Controlled Area Network) line for optimum engine management. The figures speak for themselves: maximum output of 390 bhp (287 kW) at 7000 rpm, with maximum torque of 46 kgm (451 Nm) at 4500 rpm.

Transmission and Suspension
The Transaxle layout means that the gearbox (a newly designed longitudinal gearbox, mechanical transmission with six gears plus reverse) is at the rear, integral with the differential (segmented self-locking), guaranteeing optimum weight distribution between the two axles and the ultimate in driving performance, with greater stability and balance, translating into maximum traction and searing acceleration take-off. The Transaxle layout includes a rigid link between engine and gearbox via a tubular element which houses the transmission shaft. The high torque available is transmitted through the dry dual-disc clutch with torsional flexible coupling and coaxial hydraulic control.

The suspension system means greater control of the drive train, reducing the volume of the non-damped elements with regulator bars and forged aluminium arms. The suspension system also includes front and rear anti-roll bars and anti-dive and anti-squat features. Also available, on request, is the Skyhook automatic damping control system, designed in collaboration with Mannesmann-Sachs and a world first here on the Spyder. This system has six acceleration sensors which detect the driving conditions and automatically adjust the aluminium dampers, with continuous control and instant response (10 times faster than a conventional system). With the Skyhook system the driver can also choose between two different settings: Normal (for maximum comfort) or Sport (for maximum performance). The Maserati Coupé also offers electronic traction control (ASR antiskid) excludable and integrated into the engine management system and the automatic gearshift (depending on the Cambiocorsa settings). Hydraulic power steering gradually reduces the servo effect as the speed increases.

Braking System and Safety
The Maserati Coupé features a highly efficient sports braking system created in collaboration with Brembo, with large ventilated disks and light-alloy four piston calipers. The brake servo has a two-stage operation, and the friction is HP 1000 from Ferodo.
The antilock system is the Bosch ABS 5.3 with aluminium pedals. Overall safety is guaranteed by the steel monococque integrated at the front with a tubular structure which passes the strictest European and American regulations on passive safety in the case of impact, as well as the main passive safety devices (front and side airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and a fuel inertia switch).

As you would expect with a car of this type, the interior is finished to a high standard with a wide range of installation options. A multiplicity of colour schemes is available and customisation is possible right down to personalised interior trim and a name or signature being engraved on the door sills.

The Maserati Coupe will be followed in 2003 with a replacement for the Quattroporte - the 4 door Maserati currently out of production. This car will target the Mercedes S-Class and will be designed to be a mini Bentley. The styling is already completed - an aggressive Pininfarina design - and with a 480bhp V8 or V12 engine this car will be a real challenger to the Merc. Expect a price tag of around AUD$300,000 for this beauty.

© italiancar.com.au 13/04/02

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