SAFETY
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Superior
dynamics don't only translate into excellent performance.
The overall set-up of all of the components connected to
driving and road behaviour are the result of a design
created to strike a perfect balance between comfort,
sportiness, with active and passive safety.
The new Coupe, Spyder and GranSport employ a Brembo braking
system with light alloy four-piston callipers all round and
cross-drilled large ventilated discs (front 330 mm x 32,
rear 310 mm x 28) to guarantee immediate deceleration and
shorter braking distances.
The two-stage servo brake is calibrated to retain high
sensitivity, even with a very rapid reaction time, and is
assisted by the four-channel Bosch 5.7 ABS anti-lock braking
system, the EBD electronic braking corrector, and the MSR
system, which controls the engine to prevent locking of the
rear wheels when drivers change-down to exploit engine
braking.
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Maserati Stability Programme integrates the ABS, ASR and EBD
functions by acting on the brakes and engine to help the
driver control the vehicle even in the most extreme
conditions.
The system accomplishes this using a set of sensors to
detect any deviations from the ideal dynamic behaviour of
the car. These sensors track everything from wheel position
to the steering angle and toe-in.
When necessary, the system acts on the brakes and engine to
guarantee that the driver always remains fully in control of
the car. Moreover, if the Skyhook or Cambiocorsa are
present, the MSP offers two modes of intervention, one is
normal (more control and safety oriented) and the other
(which the driver selects) is more performance-geared and
once again leaves more room for fun driving by intervening
to a lesser extent on stability control. Finally, expert
drivers and sports purists will be happy to know that they
can completely exclude electronic stability control
altogether at the touch of a button on the central console,
whilst still leaving the ABS active.
The kind of meticulous attention that has been devoted to
active safety has also been lavished on important passive
safety features too.
Starting with the steel monocoque construction with
supplementary integrated tubular structure in front section,
every element was developed to exceed even the most severe
passive safety standards and the most recent collision
regulations. Moreover, in the case of the Maserati Spyder,
there are also two fixed roll bars to guarantee better
occupant protection.
The standard safety equipment offered by the Coupé, Spyder
and GranSport is completed by four front and side airbags,
front seatbelts with electronically controlled pretensioners
and a safety inertia switch which cuts off fuel supply in
the event of an impact or violent stop. |
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