There is a RPM indicator to show when to change gear? Wow, will watch out for that next time the weather is good enough for a drive
Does yours have buttons or a gear lever?
The excerpt above was for an AUTO Car, not an MC-shift.
Below is the MC-Shift
THE SEQUENTIAL ROBOTIC GEARBOX
To make full use of all the power of the new Maserati 4.7 litre V8 and ensure the car meets all the driver’s expectations, the Maserati GranTurismo S is equipped with a 6-speed sequential robotic
gearbox with twin dry-plate clutch.
This racing-derived solution, suited to higher performance cars, provides easier access to the full rev range, delivers a more immediate gearbox response and compliments the vehicle dynamics.
There are two operating modes: manual and automatic.
Manual mode guarantees a thrilling driving experience; gearshifts occur at the driver’s request using racing-style paddles integral with the steering column.
In automatic mode, the system optimises the gear changes subject to the driving environment.
There are six gearbox control modes:
Manual Normal
The driver chooses the gear he wants to use. For unrestricted driving pleasure, the system does not shift up even at the rev limiter, while the ECU ensures that the gear requested is appropriate to
the current rpm.
Manual Sport
In this mode, activated by pressing the “Sport” button in manual mode, the gearbox control system reduces the time taken to shift between ratios. At the same time, the pneumatic valves in the
exhaust system open to build up more back-pressure, allowing the engine revs to rise faster and reach the maximum power, as well as amplifying the V8’s potent roar.
Manual Sport with MC-Shift function
The MC-Shift function is the most important new feature provided by the Maserati GranTurismo S’s sequential robotic gearbox: this is a new control software that reduces shift times to as little as
100 milliseconds.
In conventional electro-actuated systems the three shift phases (cut in torque/clutch opening, gear disengagement/change/engagement, clutch closing/reapplication of torque) are carried out sequentially.
On the Maserati GranTurismo S the shift phases are partially overlapped: gear disengagement takes place before the clutch is fully open and clutch closing takes place before the gear is fully engaged;
this means that the shift time, interpreted and calculated as the break in acceleration, drops to 100 ms, whilst the single gear engagement phase reduces to 40 ms.
In this mode, driving becomes a fully-involved experience: with the super-swift fast gear changes and the deep growl of the Mas erati V8, providing a pure adrenalin ride.
Auto Normal
When the car is driven in “everyday” style, with only gentle lateral and longitudinal acceleration, the shifting mode is tailored to maximum comfort. When the driving style becomes sportier in
Auto Normal mode, gear shifts automatically take place at higher rpm to guarantee that the maximum torque is always delivered.
Auto Sport
The gearbox control system still controls gear shifts automatically, but with faster changes.
Compared to Auto Normal mode, gear shifts take place at higher rpm, while the double declutch effect at downward shifts is more accentuated.
As in Manual mode, pressing the “Sport” key opens the pneumatic valves in the exhaust, allowing the engine to reach peak performance and deepening its roar.
Auto ICE
Selected via the ICE key, this driving mode has been developed for conditions where grip is poor. Activation of the Auto ICE mode reduces the maximum torque at the wheel, prevents starts in
first gear, and only allows gear changes up to a maximum of 3.000 rpm. The mode provides maximum ease of handling even in the most slippery conditions.
On an MC-Shift - In the centre of the dash, one of the options is to show the gear change indicator.
Seriously, don't be scared. Assuming you have good tyres, and it's dry, the straight line traction is very good! Find a nice straight road, Sport, Manual, Make sure the MC-Shift light is on. Get it rolling in 2nd at 2000rpm and floor it! Change up at around 7000rpm into 3rd and so on.
You will be addicted!