I m thinking of purchasing this 2013 Quattroporte S from Airport Kia in Naples FL.
I have on question before I move in any further ahead.
It says in the listing that it is a S model, but on the Carfax, it says is a S/Sport GT-S model?
Or is that just a general designation by Carfax
Above the glove box it should say Quattroporte S or GTS. A GTS has fixed stiffer suspension and valved mufflers that get louder in sport mode. The S has skyhook suspension which stiffens in sport mode but no valved mufflers. Looks like a nice S to me. Also that is actually a unsold 2012 sold new as a 2013. Pretty rare last of the QP5. 2013 is the start of the next gen QP6 so it might be confusing getting parts...better to call it a 2012. Values are falling so get a good deal. Not alot of buyers for these.
The 2012-2013 only came in two versions S and GTS, as the base model with the 4.2L was dropped. As 2fromtheCouve says, the correct badge should be above the glove compartment, however, both S and GTS have valved mufflers. There are a few other differences: S comes standard with 19" wheels, while GTS has 20". Skyhook and quad exhaust pipes and the executive package were only available on the S. Performance-wise the GTS is faster, but only marginally because both versions have the M139 4.7L V8 from Ferrari.
I have a 2012 "S" that definitely has valved exhaust. My car also has the body colored door handles, not chrome. And 20" rims (no idea if they are factory or not).
Were all talking about quattroporte's right? Man I feel robbed that my 2011 S doesn't have the loud button. Maybe a final year (2012) change? Anyone else with a '10 or '11 S with valved mufflers?
I'm out of town right now so I can't look at my car, but it is not loud at all. I really HOPE that there are valves and they are just stuck closed! For those that have the valves, do they open only with the Sport mode activated?
I have driven a couple of 2010 QP Sport-GTS's that do have the valved exhaust and they sounded just plain awesome! I know my car will not sound like that, but even if it's close I'll be very happy...
Perhaps valved mufflers on an S was an option and not standard? I think that would have been the best setup because I really like the option of firm or soft suspension with the skyhook.
I would really like to have the valved mufflers, I've looked for used ones but they are rare and expensive when found. I see some valved mufflers with the dual exhaust tips like the standard Quattroporte, and then there is the valved muffler with the single large oval exhaust tip for the QP GTS. I wonder if there are other internal differences between the twin-tip and the single-tip mufflers?
aGkrass & 08SRX....so both of your 2012 Quattroporte-S have valved exhaust. Do you have the dual outlet mufflers, or the large singe outlet mufflers? Do your cars have the paddle shifters? Mine did not, and I added them myself. Perhaps the valved mufflers were part of some sort of "sport option"....?
I have dual outlet mufflers, no paddle shifters. Mine is noticeably louder when in sport mode. I crawled under it last night and don't see any obvious external valves on the mufflers, so maybe I am mistaken on the valved exhaust???? I did find two areas that appeared to be cut open at some time and rewelded, so maybe it's been modified.
AFAIK all S models have twin dual outlets and mine does have paddle shifters as well. I don't think there was an option that included valved mufflers. Are you sure yours are original mufflers? If so, there should be vacuum lines running to them that control the valves. If they exist, but you cannot hear a noticeable change in manual sport over 3000 rpm, the valves may be stuck??
Shouldn't there be some literature or brochure that explains the different options between the base, S, and GTS? However you could probably order what ever options you wanted ala cart.
I think I will start a new thread in the QP5 forum to get some input from more S owners.
aGkrass....if there are no valves or other controls on the mufflers, I wonder how is the exhaust noise is louder in sport mode? I've seen valves located on the exit side of the muffler as well as the entrance side.