is the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
What is it? A most beautiful four-door sports car that is a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury salon with a truly distinctive character and unbeatable sportscar like qualities. It could, in fact, be the ultimate family car!
Who would want one? Any unassuming women who appreciates and desires power in her car along with unprecedented luxury but does not need to brag about it as the gem of the Maserati is its hidden beauty
The exhilarating thrill: how about 5.1 seconds to reach 62mph with a top speed of licence busting 177 mph thanks to the unbelievable larger capacity 4.7-litre version of Maserati’s V8 engine? Fantastic in Normal Mode, but whack on the Sport Mode and oh boy, are you in for a treat. The engine roars; the acceleration increases and a sportier handling ensue. Luckily the safety features increase so you can really drive this car to its limits safe in the knowledge that the system concentrates primarily on activating the brakes rather than reducing engine power! So much fun.
Wow factors to make the neighbours go green: I suggest you keep this one under wraps. It is so streamlined, so in proportion with the gorgeous front light clusters, huge smiley grille with the stylish Maserati emblem in the middle. The colour coded bumper with integrated fog lights, the 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake callipers, the colour coded door handles, body strips and door mirrors heated and folded electrically, oh is just yummy. The list goes on but the jewel is round to the rear with another set of lovley light clusters and those all-important two exhaust pipes peeping out from the colour coded rear bumpers. Delicious I could eat it.
On the other hand… The sports exhaust system is controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound enhanced by two large twin-oval tailpipes. In normal conditions, the valves are closed and the exhaust gases exit with only a discreet murmur. With the ‘Sport’ button depressed, the valves open, allowing the gases to flow out of the system more directly and providing a more enthusiastic and thrilling V8 exhaust sound. That is all well and good and is certainly the head turning wow factor except the noise resounds into the car that then becomes a rather noisy place to be. So limit the Sport for attention seeking times such as traffic lights, then revert back to Normal.
Where would the sunglasses fit? I don’t believe this! Italian designers as well and we all know how posy the Italian’s are, yet no sunglasses holder in it own right. So best on the head.
Will it take the shopping? Absolutely with 460 litres of space. What an accommodating car this is.
Helping hands is like having a co pilot with you thanks to adaptive headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, electric windows, front fog lights, electronic parking brake. Cruise Control so needed to keep points off licence and a Hill Holder to stop you embarrassingly rolling back into the drop dead gorgeous man you have just spotted in your rear view mirror.
Creature Comforts to luxuriate in are full leather upholstery, leather adjustable steering wheel with remote controls for the amazing audio system and telephone, electrically adjustable and heated front sports seats, dual zone climate control with rear vents to keep those pesky children cool, electric rear sun blind so those pesky kids do not distract the drivers behind, and Maserati Multi media system. This comprises of a 7 inch colour screen, navigation, RDS tuner, CD player, 30 GB hard disk drive, voice control, USB port, Aux plug in, Bose surround sound system with high power amplifier, bass box and sound optimisation to blast out Meatloaf’s “Bat out of Hell”. Life does not get better than this really
Its most annoying feature: The cheap pathetic sounding blip as one locks and unlocks the car. Come on, it’s a Maserati. It should be a singing and dancing high pitched “lets go” kind of noise.
The quirkiest accessory: Has to be the paddles that are uniquely attached to the steering wheel so no fumbling around trying to find them. Using this takes the car off automatic mode and puts into manual thus giving some truly amazing driving dynamics and even more exhilaration. Or is it, in fact, the refrigeration compartment in the front armrest?
Avoiding the costly repair shop is purely down to an electronic stability programme called the Maserati Stability Program (MSP), that communicates with the ABS, EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and ASR (anti-slip regulation, traction control) functions and corrects any excess oversteer or understeer by reducing engine power or applying one or more brakes, to maintain the car’s ideal trajectory. Then there is Skyhook System that improves road holding and traction to give peace of mind. Thank God!
Keeping your precious cargo safe: is a seriously stiff body shell, driver and passenger dual stage smart airbags, front seats side airbags, front and rear window airbags plus seat belts with pre-tensioners.
Avoiding it being nicked is an immobiliser with a transponder in the ignition key, and a highly specified alarm system that incorporates an anti-lifting sensor, volumetric ultrasound sensors, perimeter protection, a siren under the bonnet and a three-button remote control with door lock/unlock and boot-open functions. A quirky optional extra is ‘HomeLink’ remote control device for opening garage doors!
Star rating: 4.5/5 due to the “must have” tantalising tempting optional extras like all the walnut wood, rear seat entertainment, DVD player, heated front seats, heated rear seats, massage seats electrically adjustable rear seats etc etc.
Consider: Actually any Maserati if you desire power without flouting it in your neighbours/ friends faces.
Web link: www.maserati.com
Jackie Violet
Motoring Correspondent
At a Glance
Test Model: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
RRP: £ 94,380
Transmission: 6- Speed Automatic
0-62mph: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 177 mph
Combined Fuel: 18 mpg
Insurance Group: 50
CO2 emissions: 365 g/km
Horsepower: 440 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 490 Nm @ 4750 rpm
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