2014 Maserati Quattroporte/Gran Turismo: Passion

Maserati is planning a revolution. In 2015 it hopes to move 50,000 units. That’s up from last year’s 6200 worldwide sales. A big part of this optimistic forecast is the all-new sixth-generation $108,500 Quattroporte S Q4 that sports a V6 and AWD. Maserati will also sell you the rear-drive 523 hp 3.8L turbo V8 Quattroporte GTS for $148,150, but the S Q4 is expected to account for 65 percent of Quattroporte sales and shift this Italian sedan from boutique oddity to mainstream contender.

The outgoing Pininfarina-penned Quattroporte is a tough act to follow. It is one of the most beautiful four-door creations ever to turn a wheel, and its spectacular Ferrari-sourced V8 sounds heavenly. After driving the 2014 404 hp twin-turbo V6 all-wheel-drive Quattroporte S Q4 on both road and track, I’d say Maserati has kept its trademark passione intact while delivering the room, comfort, economy and all-wheel-drive the segment demands.

• Also: Updates for the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
• Also: 2016 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4: Stunning, yet Lacking

This 2014 model is a much bigger car, and while not as gorgeous as its predecessor, it’s still immediately identifiable is a Quattroporte. The trunk is now class-competitive at 530 litres and rear passengers enjoy a 117 mm increase in legroom. The cabin doesn’t quite have the bespoke feel of the outgoing model, but it is elegantly designed and nicely rendered. The front seats are on the firm side yet hold you in place when cornering with gusto.

I’m betting owners of this Italian sedan will not be quick to say, “Hey, did you know the window switches and 8.4-inch infotainment touch-screen are right out of a Dodge Charger?” Expected safety systems like lane departure warning, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control are not on the Quattroporte’s menu.

The heart of any Maserati is found under the hood, and my initial fear of being disappointed by this new 3.0L direct-injection twin-turbo V6 vapourized with the first run up through the gears. Eight, to be exact, in the Maserati-tuned ZF auto with huge console-mounted alloy paddle shifters to do its bidding.

This Maserati/Ferrari 60-degree bent-six punches above its weight, putting out 404 hp and 406 lb-ft from 1750 rpm. Like all good Italian engines it loves to rev and make fabulous noises. Pressing the Sport button on the dash adjusts the Skyhook dampers, steering feel, throttle response, tranny mapping and stability control to put the sedan in full play mode. Bypass valves in the exhaust system allow the V6 to bark, wail, and woof on upshifts.

Fantastic. It’s quick too. Maserati claims a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 283 km/h. It returns a combined 10.5 L/100 km on the Euro combined cycle. Maintaining the purity of the driver’s experience was a priority when developing this car. Maserati forgoes electric steering for a better feeling hydraulic helm, and extensive use of aluminum in the body and suspension nets a 50/50 distribution and a 100 kg weight reduction over the outgoing V8 model. The all-wheel-drive system was developed especially for this car (no, it’s not the Dodge/Chrysler setup) and it runs about 70 percent rear bias under most driving conditions.

The first thing I notice on the Autostrada is the Quattroporte S Q4’s laser-like tracking. The second thing is a busier ride – certainly not what your typical Mercedes S-Class owner is used to – but this tester is running on the optional 21-inch wheels. The standard 19-inchers are smoother. Once we hit some winding mountain roads the S Q4 shrinks itself around you. Finding a flow is easy. The steering weights up beautifully, the paddles bang off shifts instantly, the V6 goes on an absolute tear above 4000 rpm and the chassis… well, lets just say you’ll forget you’re driving a full-size luxury car. Laps at the Balocco test track (with all electronic aids turned off at the request of Maserati) confirmed this car’s dynamic acumen. While most luxury sedans would roll over and play dead out here, the Quattroporte S Q4 happily dances on the edge of adhesion.

Another car sampled at this event was the 2014 Gran Turismo Cabriolet MC – a hotter version of Maserati’s beautiful four seat convertible. Priced at $161,000, it shares the same basic layout and specs as the GranTurismo Sport coupe. The high-winding Ferrari/Maserati 4.7L V8 kicks out 454 hp at 7000 rpm and 383 lb ft of torque at 4750 rpm. Other performance upgrades include a fixed rate suspension (no adaptive Skyhook), light 20-inch MC Design alloys and 6-piston front/four-piston rear Brembo calipers squeezing alloy/iron discs. The MC is recognizable by its aggressive snout, centrally located exhausts and, on this tester, the striking Bianco Birdcage three-layer paint finish with its unusual blue tints. Production of the MC is limited because the hood and side vents are hand-hammered into the regular car’s panels.

Inside you’ll find lots of Alcantara and carbon-fibre. Unlike just about any other four-seat luxury convertible these back seats are usable, but because of the large passenger opening you’ll feel cowl shake on rougher surfaces. Not an issue with the top down, the sun shining and Sport button pushed. Yes, this Italian sun-worshipper scoots to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, tops out at 289 km/h and handles surprisingly well on the track, but you’re really buying it for the sound of that Ferrari V8.