Maserati Quattroporte Diesel first drive

Maserati Quattroporte

Maserati Quattroporte

 

 

 

 

The quintessential Maserati is the Quattroporte.

 

This niche big four-door sporting luxury saloon is now in its sixth generation since the name and first model appeared in 1963 and it has carved out a niche, an individual iconic place in the market alongside the more common big BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi models.

At a golf or a polo club the Maserati keyfob stands out on a bar or table and the shape, style and interior sophistication exude individuality in a car park while on the road its performance and economy are dynamically delightful.

There are petrol 3.0-litre, 404bhp V6 and 3.8-litre 523bhp V8 engines in the range as well as the 3.0-litre 275bhp V6 diesel I tested. All models are rear wheel drive.

My Quattroporte Diesel test car certainly brought a smile to my face every time I walked up to it, sat inside and fired up the beefy V6 engine.

It’s the same V6 turbodiesel engine and 8-speed auto/manual transmission as in the smaller Ghibli, and that gives it very good acceleration from rest, through the gears and means it’s utterly composed and economical even at the legal limit on a motorway.

It gobbles up the miles without stress or strain and there is still a lot in reserve should you need although you notice the engine noise becomes more intrusive at higher revs and in the intermediate gears, but personally I found it a good sound to experience.

The very big wheels and tyres also pick up bad surfaces and while the ride is firm it’s not uncomfortable, but you can hear how hard-pressed the system is working to keep the ride compliant.

The large interior and generous seats make the Quattroporte one of the roomiest cars you can buy in its executive saloon sector and also one of the most comfortable. The seats are well shaped and on the front pair the adjustment range is excellent. With its long wheelbase leg room for rear seat passengers is impressive.

The oddments room inside and luggage capacity is good for a long journey on business or holiday and the climate control provides excellent environment with good direction output and temperature control, backed up by powered windows.

Maserati Quattroporte Maserati Quattroporte Maserati Quattroporte Maserati Quattroporte Maserati Quattroporte For the driver you can really enjoy surprisingly sporty handling in such a big car, it securely puts down power, tenaciously grips and has impeccable manners and no handling vices of note.

It’s very brisk from standstill and the 600Nm of torque at 2,000rpm really come into its own when overtaking so everything is done quickly and safely. I usually left the Quattroporte in automatic mode but did try the manual setting on a few occasions and confess I struggled at times to quickly select that side of the box but once in the plain it had a flick of the wrist finesse.

The steering communicated very well for such a big car and while the turning circle was reasonable but not tight, it was precise at speed without being vague or twitchy.
Secondary controls were all well placed and worked with a satisfying solidity, the instruments were big and clear and I loved the distinctive classic oval clock in the centre of the fascia.

Visibility was very good to front and sides, headlights were extremely bright and far-reaching, wipers were effective and the rear camera gave a clear view but there was still a rear three-quarter blindspot.

In the world of luxurious high performance saloons, the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel stands out thanks to its rarity, its style, sheer driving enjoyment and, it’s odd to say in such circles, its economy.

An economical big luxury car? Now that is a work of art.

MILESTONES: Maserati Quattroporte Diesel, 4-door executive saloon.
Price: £69,560.
Engine/transmission: 3.0-litre, V6, 275bhp, 600Nm turbodiesel, 8-speed auto/ manual.
Performance: 155mph, 0-62mph: 6.4-seconds, 45.6 Combined Cycle (43mpg on test), CO2 emissions 163gkm, VED road tax £180, BIK company car tax 30%.
Dimensions/capacities: L 5,262mm, W 1,948mm, H 1,481mm, boot 530-litres.
Insurance group: 50
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage.
For: Room & sophistication, economy, performance, rarity value, iconic styling.
Against: Road and some engine noise intrusion, restricted rear quarter visibility. Robin Roberts   Miles Better News agency 

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