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2010 Maserati Quattroporte

A Luxury Saloon Designed by Pininfarina

The new Maserati Quattroporte stands out from the crowd. Pininfarina's most recent creation is the ideal synthesis of luxury and sportiness. It is a car that excels in terms of technology and craftsmanship.

The Maserati Quattroporte is the only large luxury saloon that guarantees both elevated on-board comfort levels and thrills with its authentic granturismo performance.

Inside, the Poltrona Frau® leather upholstery, prestigious woods and an interior finished to the very highest standards will satisfy any driver. The Quattroporte can be personalised down to the very smallest details and owners can create a car to match their own specifications. On the outside, the Pininfarina styling and the most advanced technology combine and the result is a very Italian car with a distinct personality.

Getting behind the wheel of the Maserati Quattroporte means travelling in comfort that matches that of a refined drawing room. The 4.2 litre V8 engine delivers startling handling and seamless gear changes. The Quattroporte always delivers pitch perfect performance that blends luxury with a thrilling driving experience.

The engine is capable of producing 405 bhp and powers the Maserati Quattroporte to excellent performance figures for a luxury saloon: a top speed of 167 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.6 seconds.

The Quattroporte's lines are enhanced by advanced technology

The Maserati Quattroporte's stylish looks are down to Pininfarina, the famous coachbuilder. New technological features and revised aerodynamics combine harmoniously to render the elegant Maserati flagship model even more desirable and unique.

The front end is dominated by the new grille with the traditional Trident logo in its centre. The grille's convex vertical slats give the car an assertive poise and hint at the potential that lies beneath the bonnet. The front lights, like those at the rear, make use of LED know-how to give the Quattroporte an even more striking look.

The Quattroporte is a car with a strong personality that combines power and elegance. Its unmistakeable lines are completed by the side spoilers and the 19' Neptune wheel rims.

Engine

The new Maserati Quattroporte comes equipped with an aspirated, eight cylinder 4,244 cc V90° engine. The lubrication system features a wet sump, which results in a reduction in noise making the cabin quieter.

The Quattroporte's V8 power unit's cylinder block and heads are made of aluminium alloy and silicon with the drive shaft and five supports in forged, reclaimed steel. The timing is actioned by two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The aspirated overhead camshafts, designed especially for the requirements of a luxury saloon, are controlled by a high pressure, continual phase variator with actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds.

The ignition and injection systems allow operational fluctuations in the car's engine management system to be controlled, meaning that the car always stays within emissions guidelines. The accelerator is controlled electronically using ‘drive by wire' technology while the ECU microprocessor communicates with the other systems through the Controlled Area Network (CAN) to optimise the engine management. All this translates into an engaging ride. The Maserati's V8 engine delivers its power in a specially designed way to give the Quattroporte maximum on-board comfort and super smooth gear changes.

The torque curve, which reaches it peak of 46 kgm at 4,750 rpm, is characterised by its fluid delivery. The engine's revs rise gradually without any sudden jumps to offer consistent power at any point in the rev range. The Quattroporte's performance is among the best in the luxury saloon category with its 405 bhp power output, a top speed of 270 km/h and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.6 seconds.

Gearbox

The Maserati Quattroporte's automatic transmission ensures fluidity and smooth gear shifts, without compromising power or speed. The gearbox, the result of a partnership between Maserati and ZF, is served by a hydraulic torque converter. This provides a boost at low-mid revs and also ensures sufficient power right up to 7200 rpm.

The driver can modify the transmission to best suit the road conditions or to match his own driving style by selecting the Low Grip or Sport buttons.

Low Grip mode guarantees maximum safety when the road surface is slick or icy thanks to the direct input of the ASR traction control. Pressing the Sport button makes the transmission more aggressive and places the emphasis on performance with faster changes at higher revs. To keep in touch with its granturismo heritage, the Quattroporte can also be driven in manual mode by flicking the switch located on the centre tunnel.

Chassis and suspension

The Maserati Quattroporte's chassis makes it an involving drive whilst also improving safety and comfort. Its torsional stiffness and flexibility results in well-balanced handling that enhances the driving experience.

The car's front and rear double wishbone suspension, with forged aluminium arms and hubs, features ‘Antidive' and ‘Antisquat' geometry. This prevents the front end dipping under braking and the rear end squatting under acceleration. The Quattroporte's suspension has been further upgraded with dampers fixed to a ‘comfort' setting to further ensure a fluid drive. This set up results in a car that is agile with body roll being well contained.

The Skyhook system

The Skyhook system is available as an option on the Quattroporte. This electronically controlled suspension system provides automatic and continual adjustment of the damping. Any bumps in the road surface are absorbed and on-board comfort levels remain as high as ever as the system even adapts to the individual driver's style behind the wheel.

Skyhook boasts software that is specially designed for the Quattroporte and conceived to offer the maximum in comfort on the move. Skyhook acts by using acceleration sensors that detect movement on all four wheels and the body and instantly adjusts the dampers accordingly.

There are two different settings: Normal and Sport. In Normal mode, the ride is softer, meaning greater comfort. The driver can switch to Sport mode at any time to stiffen up the ride and bring out the Quattroporte's sporty nature and performance.

Traction and stability control

The Quattroporte's dynamic handling is further assisted by the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). This has been specially designed by Maserati to improve safety and works by integrating the ABS, EBD and ASR, acting on the brakes and the engine in order to give the driver complete control of the car, even in critical situations. The Programme is based on a series of sensors that are able to pick up any movement that differs from the car's ideal handling. Like the Skyhook system, MSP can act according to two different performance options. These correspond to settings chosen by the driver by pushing ‘Sport' on the centre console. This setting adjusts the dampers, the traction control and the speed of the gear changes.

Steering

The electronic power steering is direct and precise at speed and transmits to the driver exactly what the car is doing. At the same time, it is light and easy to use at lower speeds and when performing manoeuvres.

Weight distribution

The Maserati Quattroporte's weight distribution is unique in its category with a slight bias towards the rear (49% front and 51% rear). This split transforms the luxury saloon into a car where performance is favoured and rewards the driver with its superb handling. This set up was achieved by shifting the engine behind the front axle to maximise traction and acceleration while also making the car stable and balanced.

Brakes

The Maserati Quattroporte's brakes are made up of four self-ventilating discs (330 mm at the front and rear) with fixed, four piston callipers at the front at the rear and on the servo brake. ABS stops the wheels locking under braking and EBD distributes the braking force between the front and the rear axles; both systems are integrated into the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). This solution offers excellent performance both in terms of stopping distance and resistance to brake fade, even under intense use. The Quattroporte's brakes are always prompt in responding and live up to the standards you would expect from a Maserati saloon.

Lights

The new Quattroporte uses front and rear lights that have been developed to offer the very best in each individual function. The use of LEDs makes a big impact on the car and is one of the elements that link this model with the Maserati GranTurismo.

The most important lighting functions have been improved. The front xenon cluster now boasts the Adaptive Light Control system. This produces a brighter and clearer beam compared to conventional bulbs. The lights also automatically track the movements of the steering wheel so that the beam points to the inside of a curve (up to a maximum of 15º). For safety reasons, when the car is travelling above 120 km/h, the system returns to a traditional fixed position.

The Daytime Running Light function is a useful addition and is made up of ten LEDs set along the bottom edge of the headlight. The indicators catch the eye and the front headlights are memorable for their side-marks that merge flawlessly with the outside edge of the car, with the wiper forming part of the cluster. The fog lights employ an altogether different set up and are located in the bumper to ensure a wider beam.

This system is also used in the rear with 34 LEDs making up each light. This technology was employed because LEDs illuminate more quickly and produce a more intense beam than normal bulbs. They last longer, consume less energy and their performance does not reduce over time.

by Maserati

by Maserati

Sedan

During its six years of life, the Maserati Quattroporte has received no less than fifty six awards from the most prestigious automotive and lifestyle publications in fourteen countries in four continents: a global approval for a car that has known how to recreate itself over the years, never failing to maintain the appeal of the lines and purity of the forms created by the hand of Pininfarina, which defined it an instant classic.

Quattroporte, meaning four-doors in Italian, was a luxury automobile produced by Maserati at various times during its history. The first example was introduced in 1962 when Prince Karim Aga Khan ordered a unique automobile to be constructed from designs created by Pietro Frua. The following year, Maserati introduced their own version of the Quattroporte, based on the Frua designs.

Under the bonnet was a 4.1-liter V8 engine capable of producing over 20 horsepower. The top speed was over 200 km/h for this ultra-luxury automobile. A ZF five-speed manual gearbox was standard with an automatic offered at an additional cost.

From 1963 through 1966 a total of 230 examples of the Quattroporte Series I were constructed. In 1966, minor aesthetic changes occurred including the addition of twin headlights. A 4.7-liter V8 engine became available from 1968, which produced nearly 300 horsepower.

The Series II Quattroporte was introduced in 1974 and remained in production until 1978. It was shown to the public at the Turin MotorShow. There were drastic changes from Series I to Series II. The Maserati Company had been purchased by Citroen, and the Series II Quattroporte resembled this acquisition. The car now shared as chassis with the Citroen SM and had a very angular body, the work of Bertone.

Mounted in the front was a V6 engine which sent its power to the front wheels. The front featured swiveling directional headlights and the car rode on a hydropneumatic suspension.

The V6 engine was used in response to the Oil Crisis of 1973. This engine which produced less than 200 horsepower and its styling were not well received with the public, and only 13 examples of the Quattroporte II were constructed. Six of the thirteen cars were pre-production cars. The other cars were created between 1975 and 1978.

In 1976, Alejandro de Tomaso, Maserati's Chief engineer, along with his design staff, created the next iteration of the luxury Maserati. The cars sporty-intentions were re-established as it was given a rear-wheel-drive layout and a large V8 engine. They were hand-built and were one of the last to be created using this time-consuming, yet specialized method. Production lasted from 1979 through 1988 with a total of 1876 units being constructed.

In 1976 the '4Porte' was introduced, which brought a 4.2-liter engine and over 250 horsepower. The design was courtesy of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign. The name '4porte' lasted until 1979 when the Quattroporte was re-established.

The fourth iteration of the Quattroporte was introduced in 1994 and remained in production until 2000. The design was courtesy of Marcello Gandini of Lamborghini Countach fame. It was powered by a 2.8-liter bi-turbo V6 engine which offered over 275 horsepower. The top speed was respectable, at nearly 160 mph.

Pininfarina was tasked with creating the latest version of the Quattroporte. It was introduced in 2004 and shared the same 4.2-liter engine with the Coupe, Spyder, and the Gran Turismo.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1965 Maserati introduced the Quattroporte I, the first edition was introduced. Produced for 5 years, the word Quattroporte comes from the Italian word meaning ‘four-door'. The original model was a sport/luxury sedan that featured a slightly detuned sport-racing V8 engine. The modest flagship for Maerati, the Quattroporte I featured 260 horsepower, 4.2-liter four-cam aluminum V8 from the 450 S. Later this was updated to a 290-horsepower, 4.7-liter. A total of 770 units of the Quattroporte I were produced.

The Quattroporte II was introduced in 1976 for just two years. This version was a downsized, front-drive version with nonsporting Citroen hydro pneumatic suspension. This second generation featured a 210-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine. It was due to government regulations and the 1973-1974 Arab oil-embargo caused a recession that impacted heavily the Citroen-controlled Maserati Company. A total of 12 prototypes were produced for the 1976 through1978 model year.

Attempting to produce a majestic, though not too ostentatious vehicle, Maserati introduced the Quattroporte III in 1979. The new owner for Maserati was Alejandro De Tomaso, who introduced the Quattroporte III to compete with the Bentley Turbo G. Penning the design was Giugiaro's ItalDesign, and the vehicle was introduced at the 1979 Turin Motor Show. A total of 2,110 units of the 280-horsepower, 4.9-liter V8 powered saloons were produced from 1979 through 1990. Several U.S. versions received a Chrysler three-speed automatic transmission.

In 1993 Fiat gained control of Maserati and the four-door Bi-turbo 400-Series sedans were introduced. Both version were twin-turbo that featured 284-horsepower with a 2.8-liter V6 and a 326-horsepower, 3.2-liter V8 were made available. Though no models made it to the U.S., a total of 2,375 Quattroporte IV's were sold by Maserati.

The fifth generation of the Quattroporte was introduced in the summer of 2004 and sold for a price of $90,000. The Maserati Quattroporte is the centerpiece of the marquee's reemergence into the U.S. market.

The Quattroporte V featured a large analog speedometer and tachometer next to a digital information panel under the classic hooded Maserati instrument binnacle. Many innovative elements were showcased in the Quattroporte V, these included a traditional oval Maserati clock topping a satellite navigation screen, a Bose CD audio system and a Bosch/Blaupunkt multimedia system with onboard computer. Any changes in sunlight and humidity were adjusted by automatic dual-zone climate controls that even included a smog sensor that switches to recirculation mode if the air outside becomes sour. A variety of buttons cover the dashboard, center stack and steering wheel.

The chassis featured on the Quattroporte V was a huge departure from the previous generation, now favoring a rear weight bias, much like current Ferrari thinking. The engine was aluminum and was now mounted rearward of the front wheel centerline, while the transmission was integrated with the rear axle. To reduce unsprung weight, the aluminum suspension wishbones and hub carriers help make the Quattroporte lighter.

by Jessican Donaldson