Silk Equivalent to 2.5 Suits

Leather is the standard for luxury car seats. But is that really true? Looking back in history, silk and velour were common in luxury sedans before the war. Leather was reserved for the driver's seat. While durable, its stiffness and slipperiness made it less desirable for touch. Maserati has revived this origin of luxury cars with its silk seats.

Maserati has jointly developed silk seats with Ermenegildo Zegna, a company renowned for its high-end menswear fabrics. "When this proposal came from Mr. Ermenegildo Zegna, CEO of Zegna, I thought, 'This man is crazy,'" laughs Harald Wester, CEO of Maserati. The two chief executives met at a luxury resort hotel on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy to present the silk seats, which both companies proudly hail as "groundbreaking."

"The silk seat was created by refining the technology of a silk fabric manufacturer we acquired," explains the Zegna CEO. "Silk is an excellent material, with a pleasant feel and a luxurious sheen. We developed it with the idea of using it for more than just clothing. It takes the silk from 2.5 suits for the seats. Of course, it's not ordinary silk."

The Zegna CEO explains the background, and Wester adds that the fabric meets modern standards. In the past, silk seats in luxury cars lacked durability and would tear with use. This was part of their luxury, of course. However, such extravagance is not expected in modern cars.

Herringbone Silk Fabric

The silk seats, jointly developed by Maserati and Zegna, are available in two luxury sedans: the Ghibli and the Quattroporte. Currently, these models offer standard leather and a softer Poltrona Frau leather option. The silk seats will be an additional option above these.

The Ghibli S, powered by a 302kW 3-liter V6 engine in a 4.9-meter body, boasts ample space and a luxurious interior befitting its price tag of over 10 million yen. The silk seats are combined with leather, fitted in both the front and rear. Three leather colors are available, while the silk is used on the center sections of the backrests and seat cushions, exclusively in dark tones.

Imagine the fabric used in the popular limited-edition Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition, which combined a special, soft-touch fabric with leather, but with that fabric replaced by silk.

As the Zegna CEO mentioned, the silk fabric is not the same as that used for ties or scarves. It's stiffer, with a more pronounced texture. The herringbone pattern running vertically in the center of the silk fabric is "to maintain strength. Herringbone is woven at three times the normal density, ensuring high durability," explains the Zegna CEO.

The Ghibli S accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds, offering sports car-like performance. While the interior exudes a comfortable and relaxed ambiance, it is remarkably fast. In old terms, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. On the highway, it can reach speeds that make surrounding cars seem stationary, and on winding mountain roads, it corners nimbly and enjoyably. Thus, it's clear that the driver's seat is the best place to be.

Incidentally, the Quattroporte, which is about 30 cm longer than the Ghibli, shares the same character as a car for those who enjoy driving. The silk seats are a perfect match for experiencing the sporty nature of the Ghibli S.

The Eternal Challenge

Initially, the silk seats evoked images of Hermès scarves, but in reality, as mentioned earlier, they are dark in color with a somewhat coarse texture. However, it quickly became apparent during the drive that this texture is well-suited for sporty driving.

The silk sections of the seat cushion yield gently, and the backrest similarly supports the occupant's back. Furthermore, their coarse texture prevents the occupant's body from sliding, providing a secure hold. On winding roads, the sensation of being held gently yet firmly is distinctly different from leather.

While you might forget you're sitting on silk seats as they envelop your body, experiencing them reveals the true value of these seats, which are reportedly a 1 million yen option in Japan. Moreover, being able to say "these are silk seats" must be a great source of pride for Maserati owners.

Maserati will launch these silk seats in the fall, with introduction to the Japanese market expected by the end of the year. It is also said that similar silk seat options will be available for the upcoming Levante SUV. Considering their performance, it's no surprise they are a perfect fit for sporty models. Perhaps they will become the mainstream in the luxury car world.

Differentiation from competitors is an eternal challenge for all automakers. With its silk seats, Maserati has taken a significant lead. Two venerable Italian companies, Maserati, celebrating its 101st anniversary in 2015, and Zegna, founded in 1910, have created something new. The saying that tradition is built upon a continuum of innovation couldn't be more fitting.

Maserati Ghibli S
Body Size: Length 4,970 x Width 1,945 x Height 1,485 mm
Wheelbase: 3,000 mm
Tread Front/Rear: 1,635 / 1,655 mm
Weight: 1,950 kg
Engine: 2,979cc V6 Twin-Turbo
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Max Output: 302 kW (410 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max Torque: 550 Nm / 1,650 rpm
Overboost: 500 Nm / 1,750-5,000 rpm
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Tires Front/Rear: 235/50 R18 / 275/45 R18
Trunk Capacity: 500 Liters
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 Liters
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.0 Seconds
Top Speed: 285 km/h
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode): 7.3 km/L

Maserati Quattroporte GT S
Body Size: Length 5,270 x Width 1,950 x Height 1,470 mm
Wheelbase: 3,170 mm
Tread Front/Rear: 1,635 / 1,645 mm
Weight: 2,030 kg
Engine: 3,799cc V8 Twin-Turbo
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Max Output: 390 kW (530 ps) / 6,700 rpm
Max Torque: 710 Nm (72.4 kgm) / 2,000 rpm (Overboost)
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Tires Front/Rear: 245/40 ZR20 / 285/35 ZR20
Trunk Capacity: 530 Liters
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 Liters
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 4.7 Seconds
Top Speed: 307 km/h
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode): 11.8 km/L