Maserati Quattroporte, sexy alternative to German motoring
This latest version of the Maserati Quattroporte has embraced gracefully the virtues of elegance and athletic attitude. The best Italian car designers have been involved in developing the design language of the Quattroporte throughout its 55-year history. In 1963, the first Maserati Quattroporte seamlessly fused the qualities of speed, style and luxury in a sleek body designed by Pietro Frua and ever since, Maserati has been considered a master of sports sedan design.
The second-generation version in 1974 was designed by Bertone but it was Giorgetto Giugiaro’s 1979 Quattroporte that saw great success. Marcello Gandini redefined the flagship sedan with his compact 1994 Quattroporte, while Pininfarina’s 2003 model set the segment’s design standard for almost a decade.
The modern-day Maserati Quattroporte is as distinctive and exclusive as its predecessors the least. The dominant, powerful nose is sculpted around the Alfieri-shaped three-dimensional grille, which is pointed and imposing, featuring vertical chrome rib elements that contrast with the depth of the ‘sharknose’ effect.
Beneath the rear bumper, the GTS version can be identified by its twin, trapezoidal, integrated dual pipe exhaust system in chrome-plated stainless steel, while the V6 and diesel models use twin, oval, dual exhaust pipes. It delivers a class best Aerodynamic Drag coefficient 0.28.
A large part of the Quattroporte’s aerodynamic work takes place out of sight beneath the car. The flat floor comprises several aerodynamic features, including a NACA duct to help cool the differential without increasing drag, and flaps on the rear suspension arms to channel airflows.
Interior design
Pieno Fiore natural leather and new veneers are available in the sumptuous interior of the Quattroporte, which also features improved infotainment graphics and climate control ergonomics.
Thanks to its long wheelbase, the latest-generation Quattroporte has set a benchmark for roominess, while its stylishly neat interior gives both driver and passengers the sensation of travelling in an exclusive first class lounge.
The interior delivers streamlined, wraparound forms, which endow the dashboard and tunnel with a feeling of lightness. The dashboard features a full-width surface in a variety of exclusive, precious trims, underlining the refined character of the Maserati Quattroporte and rounded out by decorative inserts on the front and rear door panels.
The interior is focused around a driver-friendly interface. The instrument cluster’s large, analogue rev-counter and speedometer flank a 7″ TFT display for many of the car’s operational features. The leather-finished steering wheel is electrically adjustable for both reach and height.
The MTC+ infotainment system is based on a high-resolution 8.4″ capacitive touch screen, which features updated graphics and improved Climate Control functions for MY19. A double rotary knob in forged aluminium provides intuitive control of the audio volume and other functions.
For MY19 the center console accommodates a redesigned gearshift lever and a revised button cluster for the driving modes and is also available now with two American size cup holders – a standard feature in the cars intended for the US and Canada markets.
The roomy, comfortable three-seat bench offers excellent legroom in the rear. Two individual seats are also available as an exclusive option on the Quattroporte GranLusso. They feature ventilation and electrical movement, ensuring unbeatable relaxation during long working trips, and they can also be fitted with individual entertainment screens.
The rear armrest has a USB socket for charging mobile devices and two foldaway cup holders. An ashtray on the door panel is now available as an option. The rear seats are equipped with ISOFIX fittings.
The interior lighting uses an optical fibre running along the dashboard and doors, including the door handle cavities and door pockets, to give the interior a modern, classy look. The ergonomically designed dome console includes the boot lid button and a parking sensor control switch on the right of the sunroof controls, in the dome lamp area.
The front and rear ceiling lights incorporate a diffused lighting lamp and two separate reading lights. Two LED lights concealed in the ceiling light softly illuminate the area beneath them, while the foot area is also illuminated.
The Quattroporte interior also features a box for phone storage, three 12V power sockets and a USB charging port in the rear armrest. A number of large compartments are available, two of which are at the bottom of the dashboard: a climate-controlled, illuminated passenger glove compartment and another for the driver, as well as an illuminated, climate-controlled storage area beneath the large front armrest. A Valet Mode is available in the touchscreen menu that electrically locks the passenger glove box. While this mode is active, the glove box is only accessible by inserting a four-digit PIN number.
The rear seats are 60-40 split and partly (40%) folding, allowing long objects to be stored in the 530-litre luggage compartment.
Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins Sound Systems
The Harman Kardon Premium Sound System is a standard feature throughout the entire Quattroporte range. The audio system uses a 12-channel, 900W amplifier with 10 speakers and a high-performance subwoofer, providing outstanding power and sound quality.
Maserati also offers hi-fi enthusiasts the optional Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, with 15 speakers, a 1,280W amplifier and perfectly-configured QuantumLogic™ Surround.
The Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System features a central 100 mm Kevlar cone for midrange sound and three 25 mm tweeters at the centre and sides of the dashboard. The front doors house a 165 mm woofer and 100 mm Kevlar cone midrange speaker, while the rear doors each carry a 165 mm Kevlar woofer and 25 mm tweeter. The rear shelf has two 100 mm Kevlar midranges and a 315 x 200 mm subwoofer.
The result is a system that reproduces every subtle nuance of the sound to perfection, with unbeatable dynamic purity, for total realism and a completely new level of music enjoyment on the road. The system includes the Clari-Fi music restoration function as standard, which scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details, intelligently corrects waveform deficiencies and restores high-fidelity by removing unwanted distortions.
High performance V6 and V8 engines
The family of Maserati petrol units boasts the top-of-the range 3.8-litre V8 for the Quattroporte GTS and the 3.0-litre V6 for the Quattroporte, Quattroporte S and S Q4 versions. Both engines are twin-turbocharged, developed by Maserati in collaboration with Ferrari and assembled in Maranello.
The Quattroporte is also available with the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine with AdBlue technology. This powerful unit is specifically developed by VM Motori according to Maserati specifications in terms of performance, efficiency and driving satisfaction.
Following the best Maserati tradition, the sound and performance of the exhaust system is controlled by pneumatic valves in the pipes of each bank, and passes through the unique Maserati Sound Tank to maintain the rich aural tradition of the brand.
In Normal driving mode, the bypass valves are closed up to 3,000 rpm to produce a comfortable and discreet engine sound. In Sport mode, the exhaust valves are opened, offering the shortest possible high-energy route for the exhaust gases, which gives the Maserati Quattroporte its maximum engine performance and unique Maserati sound.
Maserati Quattroporte GTS – 530hp Twin Turbo V8
The flagship 3.8-litre V8 engine is the perfect representation of Maserati’s performance tradition. The engine produces 530hp at 6,800 rpm and 650 Nm peak torque from 2,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The peak torque figure can be automatically overboosted to 710 Nm between 2,250 rpm and 3,500 rpm. These engine figures help the Quattroporte to reach 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed well above the 300 km/h barrier at 310 km/h.
The V8 Maserati engine has been specifically designed to deliver remarkable performance at all engine speeds, combined with lower consumption and emissions. The V8 powerplant boasts very high torque even at speeds as low as 1,500 rpm. It uses high-tumble cylinder heads and four-phase variators in a concept refined by Maserati Powertrain for optimal combustion control.
The V8 engine is boosted by two small parallel twin-scroll turbines – one for each bank of cylinders – which provide the high performance expected of a Maserati engine while reducing inertia.
Maserati Powertrain focused on integrating the turbine housing into the exhaust manifold for a compact, lightweight solution. Each turbocharger is fed by its own air-to-air intercooler. The Quattroporte has two intercoolers, each mounted low and wide of the main radiators to catch a constant supply of fresh, cool air.
The engine operates in Normal, Sport and I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency) driving modes. I.C.E. is aimed at reducing consumption, emissions and noise. It delivers a softer throttle pedal response for smooth driving, cancels the overboost function and keeps the exhaust’s sport flaps closed until up to 5,000 rpm. Besides delivering the Maserati Quattroporte’s peak fuel efficiency figure, I.C.E. mode is also ideal for driving on low-grip surfaces.
Maserati Quattroporte S and S Q4 – 430hp Twin Turbo V6
The Quattroporte S and S Q4 deliver 430hp and 580 Nm peak torque between 2,250 rpm and 4,000 rpm. The maximum engine speed is 6,500 rpm.
The 3.0-litre Twin Turbo V6 engine shares most of its core components with the V8 – same bore dimensions, variable valve technology and very similar turbocharging, manifold and engine block technology. It uses high-tumble cylinder heads and four-phase variators. With two continuous cam phasers for each cylinder head, it can advance or retard the inlet and exhaust valve timing independently in real time.
As on the V8, the engine uses an ECU with integral high-speed processors, which handle an array of functions in real time. Maserati Powertrain has also switched to on-demand ancillaries, with a variable displacement electrically-driven oil pump for improved consumption and performance. The V6 also uses an innovative computer system to control the alternator, which monitors the vehicle’s electricity consumption and manages the alternator’s workload to match the need.
The Maserati V6, though, features a V600 architecture, instead of V900, that gives it a character of its own. Its specific power output and peak torque are slightly higher than in the 3.8-litre V8 engine at 144 hp and 194 Nm per litre respectively (V8: 139 hp and 187 Nm per litre with overboost).
The Quattroporte S Q4 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a remarkable 4.8 seconds while the Maserati Quattroporte S accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. Maximum speed is 288 km/h for both versions. The Quattroporte S Q4 achieves 11.9 litres/100 km and 275 g/km CO2.
Maserati Quattroporte – 350hp Twin Turbo V6
The Euro6c-compliant 3.0-litre Twin Turbo V6 is also available with a different mapping that gives it 350hp power output at 5,500 rpm and 500 Nm peak torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm with 90% of the maximum torque already available at 1,600 rpm. The 350hp Maserati Quattroporte retains a true to Maserati sporty character: it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 270 km/h while achieving 11.2 litres/100 km and 259 g/km CO2.
Maserati Quattroporte Diesel – 275hp turbodiesel
Maserati’s Euro6c 3.0-litre V6 Turbodiesel engine incorporates AdBlue technology, with its specific on-board tank placed below the rear fuel tank. The excellent technological characteristics of this power unit are based on a ball-bearing Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) that reduces internal friction and consequently turbo lag.
Specific, high-efficiency injectors coupled with a 2,000 bar fuel injection system optimise combustion, while variable geometry intake manifolds improve power output at all engine speeds. Specific steel double thin-wall exhaust manifolds with Air Gap technology maintain a higher exhaust gas temperature, energise the flow of exhaust gas and contribute to the high specific power delivered.
These features lend the V6 turbodiesel dynamic characteristics true to the Maserati heritage. The Quattroporte Diesel delivers 600 Nm peak torque between 2,000 and 2,600 rpm and 275hp maximum power output at 4,000 rpm. A 250hp variant is available for the Italian market only.
The Quattroporte Diesel accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, up to a maximum speed of 252 km/h. Thanks to the Auto Start-Stop system, a CO2 figure of 191 g/km and fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100 km.
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