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When it comes to feel-good cars, there's not much that can touch Maserati's beautifully elegant Quattroporte. Jonathan Crouch looks at the current version.

Ten Second Review

The Quattroporte was always a special Maserati model; in effect a sportscar dressed up as a big saloon where its rivals were big saloons dressed up as sportscars. The current version - an improved version of the sixth-generation model is the best thing Maserati has yet brought us in the top luxury saloon segment, but it needs to be good to keep up with the competition.

Background

Maserati as a brand is going places. The company's Levante SUV is racking up some decent sales numbers and the car we look at here, the Quattroporte luxury sports saloon, has been a steady seller for the brand in its first half decade on sale. The Quattroporte first appeared on Maserati's books way back in 1963 and was always a bit of a quirky niche player here in the UK until the introduction of the achingly gorgeous fifth-generation model in 2004. Here was a car that had the power to seduce buyers from their BMW M models and Mercedes AMG specials into something altogether more sensuous. That progress was continued by the MK6 model and looks set to progress further here with this current version.

Driving Experience

As ever, this is a saloon that drives like a sports coupe. If you want silent cosseting, you should have visited a Lexus dealer. There's a firm ride, an urgent engine note and a machine that's fantastic fun to hustle through a set of bends. With diesel power now spurned by Maserati, most UK buyers order their cars with the most affordable 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, a 359PS unit that fitted to the base 'GT' variant can take you to 62mph in 5.5s en route to 166mph. If you simply must have your Quattroporte with more power - a point of view we can understand - the mid-range engine is a 430hp version of that same 3.0 V6, which is fitted to the 'Modena' model and makes 62mph in 5.0s en route to 179mph. The 3.0-litre engine is also developed to work with all-wheel drive but sadly not for right-hand drive markets. Apparently the steering column would foul the driveshaft plane. Want more under your right boot? Try the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 that's fitted to the top 'Trofeo' version and is good for 530PS. This is closely related to a Ferrari design, although the Ferrari engine is said to feature a cross-plane crank for more power but slightly less torque. Power for all Quattroporte models is directed through a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Design and Build

At the front, there's a light and grille arrangement reminiscent of the brand's Levante luxury SUV. The lower nose section is linked to the grille with aerodynamic inspired splits. The back is styled with two side pockets that focus the attention on the exhausts. An aggressive black piano spoiler completes the rear view. Inside, there's a smart touchscreen infotainment system and buyers also get front and rear sports eats with sculptured profiles, plus a sports steering wheel, which can be ordered in carbon fibre or full leather. There's high gloss Piano Black wood trim on the dashboard, aluminium gearshift paddles and stainless steel sport pedals to complete the effect. Measuring over 5.2m from tip to tail, this Quattroporte certainly isn't a small car. Indeed, it could appeal to the chauffeur market as well as to buyers who just want pedal the thing themselves. You can specify a two-seat rear bench with a central divider, or a three-seater that splits and folds to extend the 530-litre boot.

Market and Model

Prices haven't changed much, which means a span that starts at around £90,000 for the entry-level GT which has a 3.0 petrol V6. There are two other trim levels: 'Modena', which uses a 430hp version of that 3.0-litre V6 and costs around £102,000); and 'Trofeo' (which uses a 3.8-litre V8 with 580hp and costs around £130,000. In the last few years with this model, there's been a clear emphasis on improving quality both actual and perceived, with stricter quality procedures in the build process and some high-quality woods and leathers used throughout. Key extra features added include an electronic parking brake, a surround view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Automated Emergency Braking. Many of the major controls are operated by a large central touch screen mounted on the centre console. There's a twin-cowled instrument cluster and traditionalists will be reassured that you still get an analogue clock inset into the dashboard. The Quattroporte will have to do very well to shift some formidable rivals and these cover a wide span, including vehicles such as the Mercedes CLS and BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe right up to cars such as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur. It'll be helped in achieving its targets by a dealer network that's growing fast as well.

Cost of Ownership

Maserati has done what it could to improve the efficiency of this car. To that end, an electrically adjustable Air Shutter has been fitted in the front grille between the air vents and the engine's radiator. The Air Shutter provides optimal control of the engine's fluid temperature and, together with the optimization of the new front and rear bumpers, air conveyor and flat bottom, improves the aerodynamic drag of the car by 10%. It's still pretty thirsty though. The top 3.8-litre V8 'Trofeo' version can only manage 23.1mpg on the combined cycle. Don't expect the V6s to do much better. The evolutionary styling of this Quattroporte will help protect residual values of the old car which weren't as bad as many think.

Summary

Maserati looks to be adhering to a very sensible development plan for this sixth-generation Quattroporte. Not a lot needed doing to the basic styling of the original car, so the exterior design is nicely evolutionary. The interior has been extensively modernised and is reasonably media-savvy - an area which rather dated Quattroportes in the past. Overall, if you add up all the points, you'd probably buy something else in this segment. But if you let your heart rule your head - and we can understand why you would - then this Maserati continues to offer a temptingly different option.

Body Glass

Automatic windscreen wipers

Electric front windows with one touch drivers window

Heated windscreen

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Automatic forward emergency braking system (AEBS)

Electronic parking brake

Electronic Stability Programme

Hill start assist

Trailer sway assist

Bulkhead/Partition

Full steel bulkhead

Communication

Bluetooth

Doors

Left side sliding door

Unglazed 270 degree degree rear french doors

Driver Aids

Bodybuilder AAM unit (Additional Adaptation Module)

Driver drowsiness and attention warning

Flank protection with object tracking

Lane departure warning system

PAS

Rear view camera

Driver Convenience

Advanced automatic cruise control

Distance Warning in TFT cluster

Front parking sensor

Lane keeping assist

Rear parking sensor

Driver Information

3.5" B&W TFT screen in dials dash

eCall emergency system

Low fuel level warning light

Navigation with Integrated Google Maps, Google Play and Google Assistant

Nissan connect App

Service indicator

Trip computer

Driving Mirrors

Electric door mirrors

Heated door mirrors

Electrical

12V socket in load area

Entertainment

10.1" Touchscreen multimedia display

Apple Carplay/Android Auto

Audio switch on steering wheel

Aux port

Digital radio (DAB)

USB socket

Exterior Body Features

Rear step

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

Automatic high/low beam

LED Daytime running lights

LED front fog lights

LED low beam and halogen high beam Headlights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Front automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

2 in-dash cupholders

6 x Cargo floor load mounting hooks

Cargo load mounting hooks 4 on C pillar and 6 on D pillar

Cloth upholstery

Overhead parcel shelves

Passenger underseat storage box

Steering wheel rake adjustment

Steering wheel reach adjustment

Interior Lights

LED cabin lights

LED lighting in load area

Safety

Driver's airbag

Passenger airbag

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Seats

Driver's armrest

Driver's seat with longitudinal, height and backrest inclination adjustments

Drivers seat with lumbar support

Foldable Passenger bench with fixed table

Front headrests

Single passenger seat

Security

Alcohol interlock predisposition

Deadlocks

Insurance approved immobiliser

Radio frequency remote central locking

Thatcham alarm system

Service/Warranty

Roadside assistance - 5 Years / Unlimited Miles

Wheels

16" steel wheels

Full wheel covers

Wheels - Spare

Full size spare wheel

Emissions - ICE

CO: N

HC: N

HC+NOx: N

NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 206

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 232

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 173

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 239

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 189

Engine and Drive Train

Automatic Transmission: No

Bore: 85

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 1997

Cooling System: WATER

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Engine Codes: M920DDCg5

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Engine Make: N

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Fuel Type: DIESEL

Gears: 9 SPEED

Manual Transmission: 0

Number of Valves: 16

Stroke: 88

Valve gear: DOHC

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 7.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 9.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 7.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 35.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 32.1

WLTP - MPG - High: 42.8

WLTP - MPG - Low: 31

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 39.2

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Badge Power: 170

Based On ID: N

Chassis Engine Number: N

Clutch: SINGLE DRY PLATE

Coin Description: N

Coin Gross Vehicle Weight Code: N

Coin Power Output Code: N

Coin Series: N

Coin Wheelbase Description Code: N

Coin Wheelbase Name Code: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicles safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 4

Ghost model for valuation purposes: 0

Insurance Group 1: N

Insurance Group 2: N

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 5

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Front/Side Impact - Discontinued February 09: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Overall Rating - LCV: 5 Star

NCAP Pedestrian - Discontinued February 09: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Relative Height: H2

Relative Length: L2

Running Cost League Headings: LARGE

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Service Interval Mileage: 25000

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 5

Steering: PAS

This vehicle is classed as a car for VED purposes: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: N1

Vin/Frame No.: N

Performance

0 to 60: 0

0 to 62: 12

BHP: 170

Engine Power KW: 125

Engine Power RPM: 3500

Engine Torque LBS.FT: 280

Engine Torque MKG: 38.7

Engine Torque NM: 380

Engine Torque RPM: 1500

PS: No

Top Speed: 110

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Alloys?: 0

Automatic Clutch: No

Plated 3rd Axle: N

Plated 4th Axle: N

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Make: N

Tyre Size Front: 205/75 R16

Tyre Size Rear: 205/75 R16

Tyre Size Spare: FULL SIZE

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 16" STEEL

Vehicle Dimensions

Front Overhang: 970

Height: 2498

Length: 5780

Load Height: 1885

Load Length: 3225

Load Space Width Between Wheel Arches: 1380

Load Width: 1789

Lower Rear Door Width: 1537

Rear Door Height: 1755

Rear Overhang: 1225

Side Load Door Height: 1753

Side Load Door Width: 1310

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.8

Wheelbase: 3585

Width (excluding mirrors): 2080

Width (including mirrors): 2466

Weight and Capacities

Boot Capacity Saloons: N

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 80

Gross Train Weight: 6000

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3500

Load Space Volume: 10.8

Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Removed: N

Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Up: N

Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Down: N

Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Removed: N

Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Up: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): N

Max. Roof Load: 200

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 2053

No. of Seats: 3

Payload: 1447

Plated 2nd Axle: 2000

Plated Front Axle: 1950

Doors

Right side sliding door

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Black

Metallic - Blue grey

Metallic - Silver

Paint - Solid

Solid - Agave blue

Solid - Mineral white

Solid - Red

Solid - Urban grey

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Light grey