Larger, lighter, faster and still, downright gorgeous
Maserati unveiled the all-new Quattroporte at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit yesterday. The sixth-generation Quattroporte may be more high tech but it stays true to its Maserati roots of powerful engines and large cabin luxury sports saloons.
The new Quattroporte is larger, weighs less, is more luxurious but more practical than the globally acclaimed car it replaces. It is also as fast as most two-door supercars with its 307km/h top speed.
The newly-developed direct-injection engines come in 3.8-litre V8 and 3.0-litre V6 variants, both of which are twin-turbocharged. They were designed by Maserati Powertrain and assembled by Ferrari at its Maranello plant. All versions come with ZF's latest eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The 530 bhp V8 may be the fastest four-door Maserati ever built but it is also the most powerful and the most fuel efficient with fuel consumption and emissions reduced by 20% compared to the outgoing Quattroporte. Reaching 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds easily, at its top speed of 307 km/h, it's 20 km/h faster than the existing Quattroporte Sport GT S and also capable of delivering 200 Nm more torque.
The V6 twin turbo Q4 All-Wheel Drive delivers similar performance with a top speed of 285 km/h. Unfortunately V6 Q4 models will be left hand drive only. The right hand drive markets will only have the V8 and V6 rear-wheel drives.
The “Q4” system is one of many firsts in the new Quattroporte. It's a system capable of redistributing the torque instantly from full rear wheel drive at higher speeds to a perfectly balanced 50/50 distribution between front and rear wheels when more traction is needed.
The wheelbase has been extended creating increased leg and shoulder room and boot space. The V8 also weight almost 100kg less than its predecessor.
While somethings change, somethings stay the same – the Quattroporte retains its traditionally exquisite handling thanks to its near 50:50 weight distribution, a double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension.
Also retained is the traditional hand-crafted interior though the cabin now boasts more space with four- and five-seat layouts. Traditional doesn't mean antiquated with state-of-the-art features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals, reverse cameras and the optional 15-speaker, 1280 Watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as WLAN-based WiFi.
Back in 1963, Maserati invented the concept of the luxury sports saloon. Today in 2013, it still sets the benchmark for high quality engineering, supercar performance and luxury saloon comfort.
Prices start from ￡108,125 for the V8 and ￡80,070 for the V6. Delivery of the first units begin in the summer.
