Porsche, Aston Martin and Lambo are set to unleash sensational sport saloons on the market in the near future, but the revised Maserati Quattroporte – the car that created the niche for supercar-inspired limo’s – isn’t spoiling for a fight.
On the contrary, the new 4,7-litre V8-engined Quattroporte S demonstrates Maserati’s intention to increase its foothold in the traditional grand saloon segment with a blend of muscular performance, improved packaging and notable on-road refinement.
The initial impression of the subtle exterior revisions to the Quattroporte may suggest that Maserati’s conservative approach could disadvantage the range in the second half of its model life. Lending weight to that argument are these facts – the new BMW 7 Series will soon go on sale and Mercedes-Benz S-Class still looks fresh. In reality, the original Quattroporte was already the best looking grand saloon on the market and a number of minor tweaks have added a sportier edge to the Pininfarina-styled saloon’s voluptuous curves and greater presence to its lengthened (by 45 mm) profile.
The influence of the GranTurismo is evident inside and out… The newcomer has a redesigned grille with vertical slats and a chrome finish, restyled exterior mirrors that remind of those on Alfa Romeo’s 159, more pronounced side skirts and LED-laced headlamps and taillights with running lights at the front and honeycomb-like detailing at the back. The contours of the rear end still don’t live up to the striking front view, but an angled rear bumper and more aggressive front spoiler lower the car’s stance.
As for the interior, the adoption of the GranTurismo’s multifunction steering wheel, an intuitive Maserati Multimedia System, integrated front passenger airbag and more ergonomic centre console design have improved the Quattroporte in areas where it had been showing its age most. The climate control adjustment keypads on the facia look less fiddly, the front seats offer added lumbar and thigh support, but the Marrone Corniola brown interior option is an acquired taste.
With claims of a 280 km/h top speed and zero to 100 km/h benchmark of 5,4 seconds, the Quattroporte S’ performance certainly compares more favourably with that of its V8-engined German and British rivals than the 4,2 did and in terms of power and torque outputs (317 kW at 7 000 r/min and 490 N.m of torque at 4 750 r/min), the S doesn’t fall too far short of the V12-engined limousines, either. The six-speed ZF automatic transmission (GT-style shift paddles are optional) delivers crisp, responsive gear changes at up to 7 200 r/min and the Automatica banishes the lumbering feel of the much-maligned DuoSelect semi-automatic transmission.
Riding on 19-inch wheels suspended by an updated Skyhook system with new damper settings, the Quattroporte S offers a similar, if slightly more reserved, full-bore basso profundo V8 exhaust note as its cousin, the GranTurismo S. Having said that, vigorous throttle responses and extra shove only tell half the story… Maserati have retained the 49:51 per cent front-to-rear weight distribution of the 4,2, sharpened up the pleasingly communicative steering and fitted a 360 mm braking system, developed in collaboration with Brembo, that features dual cast brake disks of cast iron and aluminium, paired with aluminium mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers.
The ride quality of the Quattroporte flagship remains relatively composed despite the fact that it rides on low-profile 19-inch tyres. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, the braking system reacts sharply and provides progressive, easy-to-modulate stopping power – it inspires confidence whereas the 4,2’s wide pedal felt a tad vague. The overall handling ability of the Quattroporte S falls just short of nimble, but to Maserati’s credit, there’s plenty of grip on offer and the driving experience is always involving.
Is the Maser QP the most sophisticated offering in the grand saloon market? Certainly not, but if you want infrared night driving technology and radar-guided cruise control – by all means, follow the herd and get a soulless Teutonomobile.
The revised Maserati Quattr0porte range will be officially launched at the upcoming Johannesburg International Motor Show.