Maserati Quattroporte Review
Published: 17th March 2009
Maserati Quattroporte
The new Maserati Quattroporte has a revised navigation and audio system. It is a combination of Maserati- and Bose Mutli-media systems and comprises a CD/MP3 player, a hard disk driver, a 'jukebox' for MP3 files, a 30GB hard disk, voice control, Bluetooth and a USB/AUX port complete with 7-inch colour screen in the centre of the dashboard panel. So comprehensive and complicated is the system that despite what Maserati says, it requires at least couple of hours with the instruction manual.
What doesn't require any thought is the dual-zone climate control with air-quality sensors and an anti-misting sensor that detects interior humidity and reacts according. Other goodies include automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control, tyre pressure sensors, electro-chromic mirrors, electric rear sunblind and double-glazed windows.
The test car had the optional Executive GT Pack, which adds rear side blinds, rear climate controls, the rear comfort pack, Alcantara roof-lining, a wooden steering wheel and wooden rear tables, all for £6,612. It seems wrong to put a price tag on these items or even mention money but I will. The Maserati Quattroporte has an OTR price of £77,330 and with all the extras the test car came to £90,332, which is the equivalent to ten and a bit Ford Kas, should you so choose.
The Maserati Quattroporte S is priced at £83,200 before the optional extras are added on, but it does come with the larger, 4.7 litre, V8 engine under the bonnet. Maserati Quattroporte buyers get the 4.2-litre, V8 along with the wonderful noise. It produces 401PS (295kW) at 7,000rpm and a massive 460Nm of torque at 4,750rpm. The top speed, where legal, is 167mph and it takes 5.6 seconds to reach 62mph from a standing start.
What with the double glazing and acoustic dampening, the best way to appreciate the engine is to forget the air-con' for a while, find a tunnel, wind down the windows and just listen to the sound of power.
