Sequential manual gearboxes do a great job of making quick shifts under heavy acceleration, but tend feel jerky and unrefined while cruising around town. That’s the main complaint with BMW’s SMG, and it’s an even bigger concern among many of those who have driven Maserati’s Quattroporte equipped the DuoSelect gearbox.
While a sequential gearboxes might seem like a reasonable compromise for the performance-oriented BMW M3 or M6, one could argue the Quattroporte leans more toward luxury than sheer performance, and therefore should be offered with something a little more forgiving.
Maserati seems to agree, and will begin offering a Quattroporte with a regular automatic transmission beginning in January. The automatic six-speed ZF gearbox ensures a smooth, fluid gear changes while still allowing for rapid shifts, improving driver comfort. The car will be on display at the Detroit auto show. Gallery after the jump…
12/07, 11:22 AM
posted by:
JSP
That’s funny. BMW added a conventional manual option to the M5 while Maserati added an automatic to the QP.
12/07, 11:39 AM
posted by:
Saud
Wow, those Zf transmissions must really be something
12/07, 12:12 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
Yup the ZF they are using is similar to the ZF used on all Land Rovers, Real Jaguars, the New X5 plus the new Arnage.
12/07, 12:40 PM
posted by:
A4
yeah this needs a traditional manual
12/07, 1:09 PM
posted by:
Brendino
Good move.
12/07, 1:21 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
At least its not the old GM slushbox the Italians always used…
Needs an actual 6-sp manual with a friggin’ clutch pedal!!!!!!!!
12/07, 3:37 PM
posted by:
hanlond
JSP, the M5 is performance oriented, the Quattroporte is luxury oriented. A manual is preferred by people who want performance, and an automatic is better for people who want luxury.
12/07, 3:56 PM
posted by:
Freshshoebox
what hanlond said, duh.
12/07, 4:12 PM
posted by:
acura_el2000
thats bull****, if I’m driving a luxury car, I still want a third pedal and a stick.
12/07, 4:54 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
The Quad is Sport Luxury.
Okay, an Auto is fine for Luxury, indeed, but that is:
Maybachs
Rollers
Bugs
600 series Mercs
Bentley Saloons
Buicks
But a Maser needs a third pedal and row-your-own transmissions.
12/07, 6:16 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
I LOVE the quattroporte
12/07, 8:37 PM
posted by:
Renton
Ferrari engine
Ferrari chassis
Italian interior/exterior
German transmission
NICE!
12/07, 8:57 PM
posted by:
century24
Hmm…what’s the “plagiarized” about below the pictures?
12/07, 9:04 PM
posted by:
Veda
The market voted with their money. Since you guys won’t get one anyway, they’ll probably never offer a manual.
12/07, 11:34 PM
posted by:
Egbert Souse
I must admit the Quattroporte has really grown on me, at first I thought it was w/e, nothing that specia. But I keep seeing them driving around, and they look awesome. So yeah I really like the Quattroporte.
12/08, 6:43 AM
posted by:
Veda
I wish Porsche and Maserati would make a smaller sedan versions in the future. Then I’d definitely get one.
12/08, 6:51 AM
posted by:
Carnut4ever
I don’t think Maserati would make an even smaller sedan than he Quattroporte. I think you should wait for the Alfa Romeo 169- the successor of the 166. I’m sure it will be a stunner at a more palatable price point.
12/08, 5:06 PM
posted by:
jas173
Black Quattroportes are S E X Y !