My-Dream-Cars reviews : Maserati Quattroporte
A sublime fusion of performance and comfort, the Maserati Quattroporte is a luxury saloon designed by Pininfarina.

The new Maserati Quattroporte stands out from the crowd. Pininfarina’s most recent creation is the ideal synthesis of luxury and sportiness. It is a car that excels in terms of technology and craftsmanship. The Maserati Quattroporte is the only large luxury saloon that guarantees both elevated on-board comfort levels and thrills with its authentic granturismo performance.

Inside, the Poltrona Frau® leather upholstery, prestigious woods and an interior finished to the very highest standards will satisfy any driver. The Quattroporte can be personalised down to the very smallest details and owners can create a car to match their own specifications. On the outside, the Pininfarina styling and the most advanced technology combine and the result is a very Italian car with a distinct personality.

Getting behind the wheel of the Maserati Quattroporte means travelling in comfort that matches that of a refined drawing room. The 4.2 litre V8 engine delivers startling handling and seamless gear changes. The Quattroporte always delivers pitch perfect performance that blends luxury with a thrilling driving experience. The engine is capable of producing 405 bhp and powers the Maserati Quattroporte to excellent performance figures for a luxury saloon: a top speed of 270 km/h and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.6 seconds.

EXTERIOR
The Quattroporte’s lines are enhanced by advanced technology. The Maserati Quattroporte’s stylish looks are down to Pininfarina, the famous coachbuilder. New technological features and revised aerodynamics combine harmoniously to render the elegant Maserati flagship model even more desirable and unique.

The front end is dominated by the new grille with the traditional Trident logo in its centre. The grille’s convex vertical slats give the car an assertive poise and hint at the potential that lies beneath the bonnet. The front lights, like those at the rear, make use of LED know-how to give the Quattroporte an even more striking look.

The Quattroporte is a car with a strong personality that combines power and elegance. Its unmistakeable lines are completed by the side spoilers and the 19” Neptune wheel rims.

INTERIOR
The Maserati Quattroporte’s cabin offers superb comfort. The interior of the new Maserati Quattroporte has raised the bar when it comes to comfort. This improvement is down to the radical changes made to the driving position, the seat set up, the multi-functional steering wheel with its sports grip, the commands now situated on the centre console, the revised instruments and, near the chic clock, the addition of a small storage compartment on the centre tunnel.

The Quattroporte has electronically adjustable seats that can be set to fourteen different positions (including the seat back in four different ways). The driver’s seat has three memory settings and an easy entry/exit system (that pushes the seat back and lifts the steering column). Owners can also opt for the front seat comfort pack that provides heating, ventilation and massage functions.

Passengers in the back can relax and enjoy the ride in a well-insulated cabin, free of any annoying vibrations. The Quattroporte offers an array of rear seat positions thanks a multitude of functions including their independent, electronic movement. The separate lengthways shift (10cm) and reclining movement means that passengers will have no trouble finding a comfortable position. The rear seats can also be fitted with heating, ventilation and massage capability, as an option.

The spacious, 450 litre boot has an even shape and is especially roomy widthways (it can fit in three or four golf bags, depending on their size). Every inch of room in the boot can be exploited thanks to the luggage set specifically designed for the Quattroporte and available as an option. Boot space has been found to accommodate the puncture repair kit that includes a pump. A 17” spare wheel can also be housed under the boot floor, on request.

There is a range of other standard equipment that comes with the new Quattroporte, including a cooler compartment hidden inside the front armrest, two glass holders that tuck away into the rear armrest and an electronic blind for the rear window.

switchgear
The main commands inside the Quattroporte can be accessed easily and quickly. Switchgear linked to the driving dynamics (Park Off, Low Grip, Sport, MSP deactivation) is set close to the driver. To one side, on the right of the centre display, are the commands to lock/unlock the doors and the window blinds. Lower down on the console is a group of commands for the dual-zone automatic climate control that has its own display. Simplicity and speed of use are the concepts behind the interior’s design. Each switch does only one thing and the graphics make using them intuitive and immediately understandable.

The electronic handbrake is located on the centre tunnel. It is operated by the simple press of the button (that is slightly recessed to avoid turning it on accidentally). To deactivate the handbrake you need to press the button again or depress the accelerator pedal. The Maserati Quattroporte is also fitted with the ‘Park’ capability that turns on the electronic handbrake every time the engine is switched off. This function can be deactivated via the Park Off switch when you need to move the car with the engine off. To complete things, twin, chrome edged glass holders and an ashtray and cigar lighter can be found on the centre tunnel.

prestigious woods
As Maserati tradition dictates, attention to detail and a refined interior lie at the heart of the new Maserati Quattroporte design. The flawless styling is a celebration of Italian craftsmanship. Wood, that most classic of materials, covers vast areas of the interior, giving the cabin a welcoming warmth. Three new prestigious woods make their debut in the new range: Starwood, Vavona and Polished Wenge. These woods prove once more the lengths Maserati goes to in sourcing new materials. For those who prefer a sleeker look, high gloss Black Piano and Blu Laque finishes are available.

Starwood stands out for its elegance and modernity. The vertical grain on the centre console and horizontal grain on the door panels, combined with a neutral grey-green hue, combines perfectly with cooler colours if the client wishes to create a clean and modern interior. Starwood also works with warmer colours to generate a contrast that brings out the vivid shades. Vavona has warm, amber tones. The wood is recognisable for the rounded and florid form of its grain. It is a wood that works particularly well with all the warmer leather colours in the range.

Polished Wenge, with its stretched grain, is a tropical wood. It is dark and dense and brings warmth to any environment withits brown toned grain. Blu Laque is the new alternative to Black Piano and has been introduced to combine with the Blu Navy leather. This creates and new and smart contrast to the lighter colours in the range. Specially sourced, all the woods undergo treatment that is a combination of traditional working methods and the most advanced precision technology. Owners can even personalise their choice of prestigious woods with inlays.

Poltrona Frau® leather
The Poltrona Frau® leather that adorns the interior of the Maserati Quattroporte is the result of a special selection process aimed at guaranteeing the finest quality in a material that is pleasing to the touch. The tanning treatment it undergoes makes the leather supple, hardwearing and practical and adds to the overall aesthetics. Poltrona Frau® represents workmanship of times gone by. It combines this time-honoured expertise with more modern techniques. This process makes the leather extremely soft and comforting in winter but cool in summer. Poltrona Frau® leather also ages well, another reason it is rated so highly.

The most discerning Maserati owners can opt for the Luxury Pack in natural Poltrona Frau® leather, the last word in elegance and exclusivity. The leather is extraordinarily supple, something that will give passengers a sensation of refined extravagance. The Poltrona Frau® logo and the double stitched seats embellish the look. Two new colours make their debut on the new Quattroporte: the natural and subtle Sabbia and Marrone Corniola, a modern shade of brown with a vivid and sporty tone.

Comfort and life on board
The navigation and entertainment systems on the new Maserati Quattroporte have been completely revised. It is made up of the new Maserati Multimedia System and the Bose® Multi Media System. Created by Marelli, the Multimedia System includes, as standard, an on-board computer, satellite navigation system (a digital map, where available), a CD-ROM and mp3 player, a hard disk driver, jukebox for mp3 files, a 30GB hard disk, voice control, Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, and a USB/AUX-in that doubles up as a USB reader.

Sound is delivered courtesy of the Bose® Surround Sound System. The speakers reward occupants with breathtaking acoustic performance that was designed specifically for the new Quattroporte. A high resolution, 7″ colour TFT screen sits in the centre of the dashboard and displays the CD functions, the satellite navigation (where possible a digital map), the RDS tuner, on board computer (that shows information about the journey and on the car’s set up), a jukebox, Bluetooth® and the USB reader.

Controlling the system is easy and instinctive thanks to the commands located in the middle of the dashboard. You can also access the most frequently used functions in total safety via the steering wheel mounted buttons. Safety is also the theme behind the voice controls that work the audio system, the satellite navigation and the telephone.

The on board computer allows you to view information provided by the Trip Computer. This details average fuel consumption, the trip time, distance covered, average speed, the speed limit and the kilometres/days until the next service is due.

One of the available options is the rear seat entertainment system made up of a centrally mounted rear screen and a DVD player. There is an AUX input jack for video games or external plug-ins (for example, a video camera), with sound transmitted via headphones or through the main speaker system.

The colour display panel that faces the driver feeds back useful information about the journey. This includes the settings of numerous electronic functions fitted to the car (MDS transmission, Skyhook, when the MSP kicks in or when the road surface is icy, for instance). The display also reports information from the satellite navigation system (when it is on), to help the driver with easy to read moving images.

Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control
The new Maserati Quattroporte comes with dual-zone automatic climate control as standard, further improving the on board environment. A series of sensors measure the quality of the air coming into the car and, for example, prevent unclean air or unpleasant odours from entering the cabin by automatically activating the recycle function. A second sensor stops the glass from misting by reducing the level of humidity in the air whenever it detects that the windows are at dew point.

Rear seat passengers also benefit from an excellent climate control system featuring six inlet ducts (two on the centre console, two on the centre pillars and two at foot level. The system can be enhanced with the addition, as an option, of a rear command panel. This allows rear passengers to control the climate, the intensity of the ventilation and the airflow split between the ducts.

Other on-board features
Among the other electronic equipment that comes as standard on the Maserati Quattroporte are the light sensors. These automatically measure the strength of ambient light and turn the headlights on and off accordingly. There are also rain sensors that activate the windscreen wipers and regulate their frequency, cruise control that sets the cruising speed automatically without the driver having to keep his foot on the pedal, an alarm (with perimeter and volumetric sensing and an anti-lift device), and the automatic locking of the doors when the ignition is switched on. Tyre pressure sensors, electro-chromic wing and internal mirrors and front parking sensors are also available as options.

TECHNOLOGY

Engine
The new Maserati Quattroporte comes equipped with an aspirated, eight cylinder 4,244 cc V90° engine. The lubrication system features a wet sump, which results in a reduction in noise making the cabin quieter.

The Quattroporte’s V8 power unit’s cylinder block and heads are made of aluminium alloy and silicon with the drive shaft and five supports in forged, reclaimed steel. The timing is actioned by two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The aspirated overhead camshafts, designed especially for the requirements of a luxury saloon, are controlled by a high pressure, continual phase variator with actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds.

The ignition and injection systems allow operational fluctuations in the car’s engine management system to be controlled, meaning that the car always stays within emissions guidelines. The accelerator is controlled electronically using ‘drive by wire’ technology while the ECU microprocessor communicates with the other systems through the Controlled Area Network (CAN) to optimise the engine management. All this translates into an engaging ride. The Maserati’s V8 engine delivers its power in a specially designed way to give the Quattroporte maximum on-board comfort and super smooth gear changes.

The torque curve, which reaches it peak of 46 kgm at 4,750 rpm, is characterised by its fluid delivery. The engine’s revs rise gradually without any sudden jumps to offer consistent power at any point in the rev range. The Quattroporte’s performance is among the best in the luxury saloon category with its 405 bhp power output, a top speed of 270 km/h and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.6 seconds.

Gearbox
The Maserati Quattroporte’s automatic transmission ensures fluidity and smooth gear shifts, without compromising power or speed. The gearbox, the result of a partnership between Maserati and ZF, is served by a hydraulic torque converter. This provides a boost at low-mid revs and also ensures sufficient power right up to 7200 rpm. The driver can modify the transmission to best suit the road conditions or to match his own driving style by selecting the Low Grip or Sport buttons.

Low Grip mode guarantees maximum safety when the road surface is slick or icy thanks to the direct input of the ASR traction control. Pressing the Sport button makes the transmission more aggressive and places the emphasis on performance with faster changes at higher revs. To keep in touch with its granturismo heritage, the Quattroporte can also be driven in manual mode by flicking the switch located on the centre tunnel.

Chassis and suspension
The Maserati Quattroporte’s chassis makes it an involving drive whilst also improving safety and comfort. Its torsional stiffness and flexibility results in well-balanced handling that enhances the driving experience.
The car’s front and rear double wishbone suspension, with forged aluminium arms and hubs, features ‘Antidive’ and ‘Antisquat’ geometry. This prevents the front end dipping under braking and the rear end squatting under acceleration. The Quattroporte’s suspension has been further upgraded with dampers fixed to a ‘comfort’ setting to further ensure a fluid drive. This set up results in a car that is agile with body roll being well contained.

The Skyhook system
The Skyhook system is available as an option on the Quattroporte. This electronically controlled suspension system provides automatic and continual adjustment of the damping. Any bumps in the road surface are absorbed and on-board comfort levels remain as high as ever as the system even adapts to the individual driver’s style behind the wheel.

Skyhook boasts software that is specially designed for the Quattroporte and conceived to offer the maximum in comfort on the move. Skyhook acts by using acceleration sensors that detect movement on all four wheels and the body and instantly adjusts the dampers accordingly.

There are two different settings: Normal and Sport. In Normal mode, the ride is softer, meaning greater comfort. The driver can switch to Sport mode at any time to stiffen up the ride and bring out the Quattroporte’s sporty nature and performance.

Traction and stability control
The Quattroporte’s dynamic handling is further assisted by the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). This has been specially designed by Maserati to improve safety and works by integrating the ABS, EBD and ASR, acting on the brakes and the engine in order to give the driver complete control of the car, even in critical situations. The Programme is based on a series of sensors that are able to pick up any movement that differs from the car’s ideal handling. Like the Skyhook system, MSP can act according to two different performance options. These correspond to settings chosen by the driver by pushing ‘Sport’ on the centre console. This setting adjusts the dampers, the traction control and the speed of the gear changes.

Steering
The electronic power steering is direct and precise at speed and transmits to the driver exactly what the car is doing. At the same time, it is light and easy to use at lower speeds and when performing manoeuvres.

Weight distribution
The Maserati Quattroporte’s weight distribution is unique in its category with a slight bias towards the rear (49% front and 51% rear). This split transforms the luxury saloon into a car where performance is favoured and rewards the driver with its superb handling. This set up was achieved by shifting the engine behind the front axle to maximise traction and acceleration while also making the car stable and balanced.

Brakes
The Maserati Quattroporte’s brakes are made up of four self-ventilating discs (330 mm at the front and rear) with fixed, four piston callipers at the front at the rear and on the servo brake. ABS stops the wheels locking under braking and EBD distributes the braking force between the front and the rear axles; both systems are integrated into the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). This solution offers excellent performance both in terms of stopping distance and resistance to brake fade, even under intense use. The Quattroporte’s brakes are always prompt in responding and live up to the standards you would expect from a Maserati saloon.

Lights
The new Quattroporte uses front and rear lights that have been developed to offer the very best in each individual function. The use of LEDs makes a big impact on the car and is one of the elements that link this model with the Maserati GranTurismo.

The most important lighting functions have been improved. The front xenon cluster now boasts the Adaptive Light Control system. This produces a brighter and clearer beam compared to conventional bulbs. The lights also automatically track the movements of the steering wheel so that the beam points to the inside of a curve (up to a maximum of 15º). For safety reasons, when the car is travelling above 120 km/h, the system returns to a traditional fixed position.

The Daytime Running Light function is a useful addition and is made up of ten LEDs set along the bottom edge of the headlight. The indicators catch the eye and the front headlights are memorable for their side-marks that merge flawlessly with the outside edge of the car, with the wiper forming part of the cluster. The fog lights employ an altogether different set up and are located in the bumper to ensure a wider beam.

This system is also used in the rear with 34 LEDs making up each light. This technology was employed because LEDs illuminate more quickly and produce a more intense beam than normal bulbs. They last longer, consume less energy and their performance does not reduce over time.

TECHNICAL DATA
ENGINE
Displacement : 4,244 cc
Bore : 92 mm
Stroke : 79.8 mm
Compression ratio : 11:1
Maximum power : 295 kW (400 bhp)
Engine speed at maximum power : 7,000 rpm
Maximum torque : 460 Nm (46 kgm)
Engine speed at maximum torque : 4,750 rpm
Maximum rev speed : 7,250 rpm

PERFORMANCE
Top speed : 270 km/h
0-100 km/h acceleration : 5.6 s
0-400 m acceleration : 14.2 s
0-1,000 m acceleration : 25.2 s (exit speed 218 km/h)
80-120 km/h pick up : 4.1 s
100 km/h – 0 km/h braking distance : 36 m

CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS
Urban : 21.99 (l/100 km)
Extra urban : 10.5 (l/100 km)
Combined : 14.73 (l/100 km)
CO2 emissions (combined cycle) : 345 (g/km)

SIZE AND WEIGHT
Length : 5,097 mm
Weight : 1,895 mm
Width (including wing mirrors) : 1,991 mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors) : 1,885 mm
Height : 1,438 mm
Wheelbase : 3,064 mm
Front track : 1,582 mm
Rear track : 1,595 mm
Front overhang : 891 mm
Rear overhang : 1,142 mm
Turning circle : 12.3 m
Boot capacity : 450 l
Fuel tank capacity : 90 l
Dry weight : 1,880 kg
Curb weight : 1,990 kg
Curb weight + driver : 2,065 kg
Full load weight : 2,365 kg
Maximum weight technically permitted : 2,400 kg
Weight distribution : 49% front.; 51% rear.

My-Dream-Cars reviews : Maserati Quattroporte