Quattroporte, the luxury saloon from Maserati
According to the brand with the trident emblem, the new Quattroporte is “larger, lighter, more luxurious and more practical than its predecessor,” but also faster than the vast majority of two-seater supercars. The sixth to bear the name, this model dreamt up in 1963 boasts impressive technology. By Laetitia Rossi
A generous passenger compartment mounted on a super-powerful engine... The stage is set. The bonnet is long and lithe, while the convex radiator grille recalls the close relationship that exists between the limousine and the current Quattroporte and GranTurismo. Its V8 biturbo engine propels it to the ranks of the fastest 4-seaters in the Maserati family. The V8 3.8 litre and V6 3.0 litre owe their existence to the trident brand, and Ferrari has been entrusted with their development. The V8 leaps from 0 to 100 km/hr in only 4.7 seconds, recording spikes of 307 km/hr, while the V6 claims a top speed of 285 km/hr. Truly responsive, they leave in their wake the impressive roar so typical of the Maserati. Despite these performances, both consumption and emissions have been reduced by 20 % compared to the car’s predecessor. Benefitting from exemplary handling, the Quattroporte places the accent on safety thanks to automatic transmission.
Clad in fine wood, leather and metal, the extremely refined interior testifies to the care lavished on detail. All the seats offer more leg-room, and the model can seat four or five passengers. The technological revolution also encompasses the equipment : a touch screen, adjustable pedals, reversing cameras, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 15 speakers as an option and Wifi. The driving interface is intuitive and user-friendly. From the original saloon, this new generation has inherited comfort and luxury, without forgetting to taunt sports cars on their territory. “The design of the Quattroporte has borrowed inspiration from the main attributes of the Maserati style : harmonious proportions, dynamic lines and inimitable Italian elegance,” says Marco Tencone, director of the Styling Centre. Sleek and sensual, its aerodynamics are partly invisible. Its design pays tribute to its famous heritage, turning well-known features into symbols such as the contour of the front air inlet, the three small air vents on the wings and the robust, triangular C-pillar bearing the iconic Saetta logo. The body design follows a more technical kind of logic : the drag coefficient has been improved by 12 % and lift reduced by 24 %. Which gives lower consumption and greater stability at high speeds. Furthermore, the weight/size ratio has also been enhanced. The new model is indeed larger, but weighs almost 100 kilos less on the scales. A well-balanced model, it bears 50 % of its mass to the fore, 50 % to the rear. This streamlined saloon made its first worldwide appearance at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
