Maserati’s new Quattroporte four-door sports sedan is quick, luxurious, and eminently practical.
By Ghaith Madadha
A few years ago at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy, a Ferrari executive hosting the media dinner was adamant his iconic company would never produce a four-door car. With references to the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera, and Ferrari’s own 1980 Pinin saloon car concept, the journalists in attendance queried whether customer demand might not compel the creation of such a car. Pressed on the matter, his reply was along the lines that customers in the market for a Ferrari luxury saloon should take a look at the Maserati Quattroporte.
One can only speculate as to whether the recent change of guard at Ferrari will yet yield a modern day Pinin. And while a newer, bigger, and more luxurious car now bears the Quattroporte nameplate, this anecdote still perfectly defines Maserati’s luxury placing.
The new sixth generation Quattroporte’s larger dimensions and more luxurious execution are reminiscent of its 1979-90 third generation predecessor. The Quattroporte’s swooping lines, plush appointment, rakish demeanor, and Ferrari-built engines still make it the enigmatic and discretely exotic contender among the luxury segment’s usual suspects.
Driven by more powerful and efficient downsized twin-turbocharged engines, the entry-level 3-liter V6 Quattroporte S develops 404 BHP and accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The 3.8-liter V8 Quattroporte GTS is however a fire-breathing super-saloon, which with 523 BHP at 6500-6800 rpm and 524 lb/ft throughout 2250-3500 rpm, cracks 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and tops 307 km/h. The GTS covers ground at an exhilarating pace, and unlike many turbocharged rivals, retains the heady high-revving thrills associated with its naturally-aspirated predecessor.
Available through Maserati’s new official Jordanian importer, the Quattroporte isn’t the hard-edged or impractical exotic some might expect of a Ferrari cousin. Rather it is sumptuously comfortable and reassuringly stable, owing to its two-mode Skyhook adaptive electro-magnetic suspension. Skyhook is ideal for imperfect Jordanian roads, in that it adapts to road textures and driving style with imperceptible fluency. The Quattroporte is ever poised and smooth, planted at speed and buttoned down on vertical rebound.
It is a perfect high speed, long distance companion. But its sporty double wishbone suspension and ideally balanced weighting also proved capable through fast winding mountain routes. With elegantly long dimensions and glamorously big 20-inch alloy wheels with wide sticky rubber, the GTS’ rear digs faithfully into tarmac and ably puts down its immense power. Similarly, impressively responsive brakes reign in the 1,900 kg GTS. The less powerful four-wheel-drive Quattroporte S Q4 promises even more grip.
Indulgently luxurious inside, the Quattroporte GTS is swathed in soft quality leathers, fine woods, brushed aluminum, and lush suede-like roof-lining, delivering superb cabin refinement. A sporty subtly contoured steering wheel is complemented by big round dials. From fixed steering-mounted metal paddle shifters, one can sequentially manually control the GTS’ smooth and swift shifting 8-speed automatic gearbox.
The Quattroporte is spaciously palatial, with plenty of rear legroom to stretch out. Likewise, front and rear headroom are generous, while seat, steering, and pedal adjustability is accommodating. Extensively well-equipped from a long list of standard and optional entertainment, safety and convenience features, the GTS’ 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen stands out for its user-friendly and intuitively simple menus and operation. Rear screens and a powerful 15-speaker 1280-Watt Bowers & Wilikins sound system are optional. With an Italian flair for design, the Quattroporte offers extensive personalization possibilities, in terms of exterior and interior colors, alloy wheels, and cabin materials and trim.
Specifications
Engine: 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8-cylinders
Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 523 (530) [390] @ 6500-6800 rpm
Power-to-weight: 275 BHP/ton
Torque lb/ft (Nm): 524 (710) @ 2250-3500 rpm
Top speed: 307 km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 11.8 liters/100 km
CO2 emissions, combined: 274 g/km
Fuel capacity: 80 liters
Length: 5262 mm
Width: 1948 mm
Height: 1481 mm
Suspension, F/R: Double wishbone/multi-link
Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs, 380/350 mm, 6-/4-piston
Steering: Power-assisted rack & pinion
Tires, F/R: 245/40R20 / 285/35R20
