Maserati has launched its first ever all-wheel-drive system, Q4, in Bahrain.

The system will be available on Maserati’s four-door sedan models - the Quattroporte and Ghibli - as the top-of-the-line S Q4 variant, says Euro Motors, which represented the Italian sports car manufacturer in the kingdom.

The S Q4 accelerates the Quattroporte and Ghibli from 0-100 kmph in just 4.9 and 4.8 seconds - faster than their rear-wheel drive counterparts - up to a top speed of 283 kmph and 284 kmph. 

The Q4 system has been designed to maximise 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,” explains Paul Yates, General Manager of Euro Motors. 

The launch comes ahead of the 2016 launch of the luxury manufacturer’s first SUV, the Levante.

In normal driving conditions, the system provides 100 per cent of the engine torque to the rear wheels; this also to optimise 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 per cent 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-inch 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 versus 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 range and the first four-door sports executive sedan by the luxury brand. 

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 the original 1963 Quattroporte, Maserati says it invented the concept of the luxury sports sedan and the sixth 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 100 kmph in just 4.7 seconds and achieves top speed of 307 kmph.

Maserati was established in 1914 in Bologna by its founder Alfieri Maserati and his brothers. Today, the company's headquarters and main production location are in Modena with a second plant in Grugliasco, near Turin. Maserati has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat since 1993.

For 2014, Maserati posted a 136 per cent increase in shipments to 36,500 vehicles, driven by the success of the new Quattroporte and Ghibli models. Its major markets last year included the US (14,690 vehicles), China (9,400), Europe (6,360) as well as Asia-Pacific (4,000) and the Middle East (2,050).