The flagship of the Maserati product range, the Quattroporte, is larger, lighter, more luxurious and more practical than the globally acclaimed car it replaces. With a 307km/h (191 mph) top speed, it’s also as fast as most two-door supercars. The sixth-generation Quattroporte delivers a leap forward that not only sets the high-technology tone for Maserati’s upcoming new-model onslaught, but also remains faithful to Maserati’s long history in luxury sports saloons.
The powerful engine and the large cabin at the core of the Quattroporte’s design, dominated by a long, powerful nose and a concave Trident grille, provide a clear link to both the outgoing Quattroporte and the GranTurismo. Even with all of its new technology, the new Quattroporte remains true to Maserati’s roots. Its V8 twin turbo makes it not only the fastest four-door Maserati ever built, but also the most powerful and the most fuel efficient.
The Maserati has always been famed for its innovative engine design: in this respect the new 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 installed on the Quattroporte sets new standards, with a long list of sophisticated solutions that make this the most high-tech propulsion unit ever installed on a Maserati car. With its 530 HP, it takes the Quattroporte past the 300 km/h threshold with ease.
To offset its scintillating performance, the V8 Maserati Quattroporte has lowered both its fuel consumption and emissions by 20% over the outgoing Quattroporte.
Traditional hand crafted detailing continues in the Quattroporte’s cabin, now more spacious and featuring both four and five-seat layouts. Cabin luxury leaps forward technically too, with features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals (left hand drive only), reversing camera and the optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as WLAN-based WiFi and compatibility with most modern mobile phone systems.
The most technically advanced engine ever fitted to a Maserati, the 3799cc V8, uses a pair of low-inertia, twin-scroll parallel turbos to increase its output. It has been specifically designed to deliver exceptional performance at all engine speeds, combined with lower consumption and emissions.
In spite of the long wheelbase necessary for record-breaking comfort, the new Maserati Quattroporte still offers the outstanding handling typical of the brand’s cars. Thanks to the ideal weight distribution, with the right split between the front and rear axles, it is great fun to drive. What’s more, the new steering system has been developed to give the driver unrivalled "feel" of the car when cornering at speed.
All versions of the new Quattroporte are fitted with the ZF AT8-HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission. Befitting Maserati tradition, it features five dedicated shift modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and the I.C.E. mode (Increased Control Efficiency).
The modifications to the Quattroporte body design aren’t just about looks, but have also allowed for a 12% improvement in drag (Cx), now down to 0.31, and an enormous 24% reduction in lift. These figures reduce fuel consumption and increase high-speed stability.