How does they skyhook system work?

Hopefully I can give you a quick rundown that makes sense.

This all applies to the Quattroporte specifically, but I believe it's the same in the Coupes and likely the same setup in the Gran Turismo.

The system starts with a central control unit for the suspension. (The car has an engine, transmission, suspension and other control units that operate on the Car Area Network) This is also integrated into the overall Maserati Stability Program (or MSP), and all software is custom programmed for the cars (traction, stability, abs, etc.).

This is connected to 6 main sensors that measure the car's movement - three vertical (two in the front, one in the rear), one longitudinal (centrally located), and two wheel acceleration sensors (in front).

The system connects to a small motor in each shock that varies it's valving.

When you pre-set the system in normal or sport, it pre-selects your shock to an appropriate valving. The system is programmed with anti-dive, anti-squat, and anti-roll algorithms. As the computer senses these movements, it changes the valving of appropriate shocks to counter-act the movements. (the shock it uses varies on situation, it will stiffen up rear shocks as the front dives, to slow the rear's rise, or the shocks on the inside of a hard corner)

In normal driving, you can feel the different modes, where the normal setting will slow the suspension movements down enough to smoothen out substandard pavement surfaces, where in sport mode you will feel the cracks and un-evenness more directly through the steering wheel and seat.

Let me know if this clears things up or if you want some more info.
- Mark

edit: The Sport GT has specific programming, and while it is nearly the same in normal mode, it is about 30-35% stiffer in sport mode. The Gran Turismo will have specific programming as well, and the differences in the Coupe vs GranSport were about the same.

 

Thanks for the nice insight.
Does the suspension feel softer if the car is lowered? I have read about this possible softness but do not understand how and why? Ane technical explanation or drawings to depict how it can be possible?

 

The granturismo will indeed have specific programming, but it is still valved on the "softer" side, like the quattroporte. You actually will have a far firmer and sportier ride without the optional skyhook on the granturismo.

Oh, and Avantgarde, lowering the suspension stiffens it. If you reduce the spring length you should alter the damper settings to compensate.