Maserati GranTurismo Convertible: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

June 21, 2011

Maserati GranTurismo Convertible features 6-speed automatic transmission that allows the driver to choose from four different driving modes: auto normal mode, auto sport, auto ICE and Manual.

Auto Normal mode should be selected when driving normally (low cornering roads), under this mode the shifting performance is tuned to maximize comfort. Upshifts are performed as early as possible to achieve the lowest level of sound from the engine. Gear changes are actuated smoothly and at the most refined level. When the driving style is recognized to be sportier, gear shifts are automatically adjusted to occur at higher engine speeds, reducing the number of shifts and ensuring maximum power delivery.

Auto Sport mode should be used in a normal driving style without high lateral and/or longitudinal acceleration, where the gear box down-shifts one gear with respect to the Auto Normal mode, making the transmission sportier and enhancing the sports car engine sound.
When the driver requests the ICE mode, Sport mode is automatically deactivated and the stability program (MSP) restored. First gear is not engaged in order to reduce the maximum wheel torque and gear changes are performed in a range from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm to help maximizing available traction.

Manual mode is selected when the gear lever is shifted from D to the +/- selector track, gears are set directly by the driver in sequence using either the gear shift lever or paddle shifters on the steering column. Using the gear shift lever is very intuitive: pulling the lever back upshifts, while pushing it forwards downshifts, which follows the motion of the body caused by acceleration and braking. The driver can change at any time by using the steering wheel paddles, by leaving the gear lever in the “+/-“track. The steering wheel paddles adopted by Maserati differ from other competitive systems thanks to their ergonomic position as they are attached to the steering column and, consequently, immediate available at all the times and more secure in case of emergencies. Gear shifts are made with a simple flick of the fingers which ensure greater safety in particular on very curvy roads and, at the same time, improve the driving enjoyment.

In order to ensure proper reliability, Manual mode includes automatic upshifts at the maximum permitted engine speed and automatic downshifts to avoid “under-speed”. The exception is fifth gear, in which the gearshift must be requested by the driver, in order to maintain a sporty driving experience and to provide maximum performance.

An electronic kick-down can be deactivated at any time by flooring the accelerator in auto mode. In Manual mode this function has been inhibited to give the driver maximum freedom in selecting specific gear ratios.

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