2002→2006 Maserati Coupé GT

Designed by Giugiaro’s Italdesign, the Maserati Coupé joins the recently introduced Spyder and shares some of the soft-top car’s styling innovations, such as the more pronounced and muscular bonnet line which gives a hint of the new engine below, and the new tail-light clusters with clear lenses.

The Maserati Coupé is equipped with the all-new, 390-bhp 4.2-litre alloy V8 engine which powers the car to a top speed of 285 km/h, covering the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds. The Formula 1 style gearshift provides a full automatic option for ease of use, and the advanced transaxle layout with the rear-mounted gearbox in unit with the differential provides optimum weight distribution for ideal handling.

The suspension features arms and hubs in forged aluminium to reduce unsprung weight to a minimum and incorporates front and rear anti-roll bars and anti-dive and anti-squat geometry.

Also available, on request, is the Skyhook automatic damping control system, designed in collaboration with Mannesmann-Sachs and a world first on the Spyder. This adaptive damping system uses six acceleration sensors to detect the driving conditions and automatically adjust the aluminium dampers to suit the road conditions, and responds 10 times faster to inputs than conventional electronic damping systems.

The Maserati Coupé is available with both manual 6-gear transmission, and electro-hydraulically activated 6-gear transmission with gear changes controlled by microprocessor. The Cambiocorsa gearshift gives the driver the choice between an extremely sporty manual gearshift (with two sports settings available) or Full Automatic. In both cases the clutch is automatically activated by the electronic management system integrated with the engine control.

The new 4,244 cc 90° V8 engine is especially compact and lightweight (just 184 kg – 405 lbs), and boasts a highly evolved, race-bred design. This new V8 is the first of a new generation of Maserati engines designed to combine performance, torque, efficiency and low emissions in compliance with existing and future regulations.

The transaxle layout means that the gearbox (a newly designed, manual 6-speed longitudinal gearbox) is at the rear in unit with the limited-slip differential, guaranteeing an optimum weight distribution and handling balance. This set-up provides greater stability and cornering poise and also provides maximum traction for searing acceleration take-off.

Story by Maserati S.p.A.

In Detail