Cars & Autos | Friday 17 April, 2015 1:16 pm |

The Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte, equipped with their first ever all-wheel-drive system - Q4 - have arrived at Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors showrooms in the UAE.
The system is available on Maserati’s four-door sedan models, the Quattroporte and Ghibli, as the top-of-the-line S Q4 variant. The S Q4 accelerates the Quattroporte and Ghibli from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 and 4.8 seconds - faster than their rear-wheel drive counterparts - up to a top speed of 283 km/h and 284 km/h.
The Q4 system has been designed to maximize traction and further amplify Maserati’s high-performance, grand touring qualities and rear-wheel driving experience, while offering absolute safety whatever the road conditions. The system acts by transferring traction to the front wheels on demand and with an immediate response.
“With the Quattroporte and Ghibli S Q4 we are now able to offer our clients all-wheel-drive models that drive like a real Maserati. The sole objective of Q4 is optimising the balance between increased driving pleasure and safety,” explained Hossam Hosni, General Manager Luxury Auto, Al Tayer Motors. The cars have arrived in the market ahead of the 2016 launch of the luxury manufacturer’s first SUV, the Levante.
The Quattroporte S Q4 retails at a starting price of AED 455,000, while the Ghibli S Q4 starts at AED 329,000. The price for both cars includes three years unlimited mileage warranty and a three years or 60,000 kilometre service contract.
In normal driving conditions, the system provides 100% of the engine torque to the rear wheels; this also to optimize fuel consumption and emissions. In low grip driving conditions, such as slippery or loose road surfaces, or in case of loss of grip at the rear axle, for example during acceleration from zero or at very high cornering speeds, the system reacts instantaneously, transferring the necessary traction to the front wheels.
In a mere 150 milliseconds, the Q4 system is capable of altering the torque split from 100% rear wheel drive to equal 50%-50% distribution between the front and rear wheels. When conditions require, the Q4 all-wheel-drive system, with its variable torque control, activates constantly and continuously.
While the change in torque split is imperceptible a monitoring system is integrated in the 7” cluster display which visualises the front to rear distribution in real time. The system architecture is based on an electronically controlled multi-plate wet clutch, installed into a transfer case linked by a drive shaft to the front axle.
While driving, a sophisticated algorithm specifically developed by Maserati, is capable of monitoring in real time an extensive range of dynamic vehicle parameters (wheel slip, steering and yaw angle, power output, speed, braking action, ESP) as well as wheel grip vs driving style.
Processing all this data the Q4 system can maximise a dedicated grip profile for each single wheel, creating the optimal vehicle dynamic management to suit any given road conditions, at any time.
The Ghibli is Maserati’s latest addition to its model range and the first four-door sports executive sedan by the Italian luxury brand. By combining breath-taking design with exceptional handling qualities and outstanding performance, the Ghibli appeals to the head and the heart making the dream of owning a Maserati more accessible.
In addition to the top-of-the-range Ghibli S Q4, Maserati also offers the Ghibli and Ghibli S, all featuring a new-generation twin turbo-charged 3.0-litre V6 engine and an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. With its power output of 410 hp the Ghibli S races to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 285 km/h. The Ghibli delivers 330 hp, a top speed of 263 km/h and acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.
With the original 1963 Quattroporte, Maserati invented the concept of the luxury sports sedan and the 6th generation Quattroporte continues to be the benchmark for high quality engineering, supercar performance and limousine comfort.
In addition to the Quattroporte S Q4, Maserati also offers the GTS, S, and the Quattroporte with 330 hp as part of its Quattroporte range with two state-of-the-art, high performance direct-injection engines: a 3.8-litre V8 (Quattroporte GTS) and a 3.0-litre V6 (Quattroporte S Q4, S and Quattroporte). Both engines are twin turbo charged, developed by Maserati Powertrain in partnership with Ferrari Powertrain, and built by Ferrari in its world-leading engine construction facility in Maranello.
The engine of the Quattroporte GTS reaches 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and achieves a 307km/h top speed. The Quattroporte S engine doesn’t lack for performance, either, reaching 100km/h in 5.1 seconds and achieving a 285km/h top speed. The 330hp Quattroporte retains its sporty Maserati character with an acceleration of 5.6 seconds from zero to 100km/h and a top speed of 263 km/h.

Quattroporte S Q4
Engine: 3.0L V6
Power: 410 hp
Transmission: ZF Eight Speed Automatic Gearbox
Torque: 550 Nm
Top Speed: 283 km/h
Acceleration 4.9s 0-100km/h
Consumption combined / extra-urban / urban: 10.5 / 7.6 / 15.8 (l/100 km)
CO2 emissions combined / extra-urban / urban: 246 / 176 / 368 (g/km)

Ghibli S Q4
Engine: 3.0L 60°V6
Power: 410 hp
Transmission: ZF Eight Speed Automatic Gearbox
Torque: 550 Nm
Top Speed: 284 km/h
Acceleration: 4.8s 0-100km/h
Consumption combined / extra-urban / urban: 10.5 / 7.6 / 15.8 (l/100 km)
CO2 emissions combined / extra-urban / urban: 246 / 176 / 368 (g/km)

About Al Tayer Motors
Al Tayer Motors was established in 1982 and represents major European and American automobile manufacturers Ford, Lincoln, Ferrari, Maserati, Land Rover, Jaguar, Spyker, DAF Trucks and Ford Trucks across the UAE.

With a growing network of sales, service and parts centres across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, the dedicated team of more than 2,500 professionals is committed to taking customer satisfaction to higher levels.

In Abu Dhabi, Ford, Lincoln, Ferrari, Maserati, Land Rover, Jaguar, Spyker, DAF Trucks and Ford Trucks are represented by Al Tayer Motors through Premier Motors.