A lot of great cars are born from insane ideas. Most of them to the effect of ‘let’s put in this engine that has no business being in this type of car and see what happens’. That is pretty much what you get here—a five-metre-long, nearly two-ton luxury saloon, with a logo inspired by Neptune’s trident on the front grille and a 530-horsepower engine made by Ferrari. When it looks this sharp and goes this fast, you really couldn’t care less that its name translated from Italian literally means ‘four door’. Way to get to the point.
The look and feel
Visually, the Quattroporte is a looker by any standard. Its long, low-slung front end and taut stance display an intent to scorch tar, with only the lengthy footprint giving a hint of its luxury aspirations. Unlike other luxury saloons, design-wise, there is only the slightest of attempts to give it an air of cushiness, at least on the outside. The interiors are a different story, all soft leather and plush wood. The car we drove is the model year (MY) 2015 version, and the current version has received interior and exterior updates and new body kits, which have improved fit and finish considerably. That said, despite its sporty legacy, Maserati has not skimped on the luxury tag, with 12-way adjustable seats and adjustable steering, ensuring that a comfortable driving position is not an unachievable dream. Start the motor and the seats and steering adjust automatically to the set driving position, moving apart to aid egress when the car is stopped. The touchscreen houses controls for the four-zone climate control, ventilated seats, and entertainment options, with a couple of buttons hidden away behind the steering wheel, allowing for music playback control as well.
Maserati Quattroporte GTS
While this is one of the rare luxury cars where you’d want to be in the driver’s seat, for reasons we will address shortly, the massive wheelbase has also lent itself to oodles of space in the backseat.
Even six-footers will enjoy the rare luxury of stretching out in complete comfort in the Quattroporte, and while it can technically seat three at the back, the luxury treatment is best enjoyed by two, with the armrest down. There are air-con controls and front passenger seat adjustment options here as well, along with window blinds on all rear windows, with the one at the back automatically getting out of the way when the reverse gear is engaged, though the screen up front also displays feed from the rear camera.
The workings
The Quattroporte gets two engine options in India—a three-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel that makes 275hp, and the one we sampled on the top-end Quattroporte GTS, a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that makes a proper 530hp. This is a four-door luxury saloon, with an engine that wouldn’t be out of place in a sports car.
Fire up that engine and get moving, and the Quattroporte moves its hefty frame with a poised grace, gliding through city roads. Leave the engine in I.C.E mode (Increased Control and Efficiency), and driving is a relaxed affair, apart from a slight case of dry throat caused by navigating the four-wheeled equivalent of a cruise liner through roads crawling with haphazardly-driven two-wheelers and trucks. The only sound in the cabin is a slight hum from the turbos, and the presence of a massive dead pedal is much appreciated.
The drive
Once out on open road, a quick press of the suspension settings and sports buttons causes the car to stiffen up and the throttle to gain urgency. The Quattroporte now gobbles up road so fast, your mind has to adapt its distance perception, with the eight-speed ZF gearbox holding on to gears longer, and the exhaust letting out a howl to signify its intent. But the real fun is when the gear lever is chucked over into full manual, demanding the use of the massive paddle shifters behind the wheel. At this point, the Quattroporte drops all pretence of civilisation to unveil its true genes, and the horses prance. The exhaust note is now a full-blown snarl, and the longest stretches of open road become insufficient, which is no surprise, seeing as the car has a rated top speed of 310km/hr.
Since the stretch of road we tested on was mostly straight, we didn’t get to throw it around the corners much, but steering responses were accurate. Just don’t expect it to change direction as rapidly as a sportscar. The backseat is also a comfortable place to be on the move, with very little outside noise filtering in. The ride, while good, isn’t as plush as some counterparts in the segment, but for a car that delivers this much performance, it strikes a balance.
All said and done, the Quattroporte presents a tough purchase decision. But for someone who lives between business meetings and weekend cross-country trips, has a few bucks to spare and a soul to sell, the Quattroporte is a seductive offering.
