2016 Maserati Quattroporte

To master an art with passion, inspiration and imagination, this is Maserati. The Quattroporte with its 330 hp entry-level engine delivers refined luxury paired with an unmistakably sporty personality. This is obvious at first glance: Muscular lines and charismatic forms meet elegant contours, that envelope a generous interior where in the finest traditions of Italian craftsmanship, only the highest quality materials are used.

ELEGANT AND DYNAMIC, UNCONVENTIONALLY SPORTY

Passion is never commonplace. The Quattroporte's striking front view is dominated by its stretched bonnet leading back from the traditional Maserati oval radiator grille with the chromed Trident at its centre. A tribute to the GranTurismo and other acclaimed Maserati model designs.

SINUOUS, STRIKING FRONT LIGHTS

Either side of the radiator grille, the tall headlights almost merge into the line of the sides, which starts from the familiar three air vents behind the front mudguards and runs on in a sequence of muscular curves. The front's aggressive air is underlined by the line of the LED daylights, a stylistic and functional feature that gives the car an extremely modern character.

DISTINCTIVE DETAILS

A number of stylistic details enhance the elegant turnout of the Quattroporte: Its rear reveals the aggressive twin oval steel tailpipes, that maintain a sporty touch combined with a unique silhouette. The wraparound rear lights integrate perfectly with the design of the rear bumpers and boot, and are joined together by a chrome-plated central trim.

THE INTEGRAL REAL SPOILER HIGHLIGHTS A UNIQUE SILHOUETTE

The marque's typical triangular C-pillar features the oval 'Saetta' logo, a detail drawn from the Maserati tradition and featured on all generations of the Quattroporte. The boot features an integral spoiler designed to generate downforce at high speeds. The spokes of the 19' Tritone wheels - supplied as standard - resemble the prongs of the Trident badge: a unique combination of strength and elegance.

LUXURY EXPRESSED THROUGH ELEGANT SIMPLICITY

The interior of the Quattroporte is designed like an exclusive lounge: the intuitive on-board controls offer themselves to the occupants with discretion, taking care not to detract from the real protagonists: the surfaces and materials. The dashboard, divided horizontally into three levels, features a broad central band across the entire width of the car, with the large Maserati Touch Control touchscreen display in the centre.

A LOUNGE SHAPED BY STYLE AND FINE TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP

The fine wood and the stitching, styled in keeping with the purest hand-crafted tradition, seamlessly continue the sleek lines of the dashboard, the central tunnel and the doors, enveloping the passengers in an atmosphere of luxury. The standard version offers finishes in Radica, an exquisite open-pore wood with knots and vein patterning for an added air of exclusiveness and sophistication.

ELEGANT, ERGONOMIC SEATS

The ergonomic, wraparound seats feature fine stitching on the vertical grooves in the middle of the seat and back. The front seats feature electric back and seat height, depth and angle adjustment; lumbar support adjustment is also provided, with adjustable pedals available for the perfectly suited driving position.

DRIVEN BY THE MOST INNOVATIVE GENERATION OF ENGINES IN MASERATI'S HISTORY

The Quattroporte's innovative 3-litre Twin Turbo V6 engine delivers the sporty temperament of 330 hp, while its design reduces fuel consumption and emission. The Twin Turbo minimizes any 'turbo lag effect' and provides excellent responsiveness, while the high-pressure direct injection (200 bar) improves combustion at high revs.

AMAZING TORQUE PROVIDES EXCITING ACCELERATION

The versatile V6 unit that equips the Quattroporte thrills whenever the driver steps on the accelerator, with the power coming through loud and clear. In Sport mode, the peak torque is 500 Nm. Accompanied by the unmistakable Maserati sound, the Quattroporte sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.

LIGHTER, MORE EFFICIENT GEAR CHANGES

The Quattroporte makes the most of its modern, automatic, 8-speed ZF transmission. Light and precise gear shifts are delivered by the auto-adaptive software that recognises individual driving styles and tweaks the type of shift accordingly. There are five modes to choose from and these can be selected by pushing the tunnel-mounted buttons: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and the all-new I.C.E. for more efficiency.

DUAL-CAST BRAKES

The Brembo brakes on the Quattroporte were created to optimise weight and guarantee high performance under intensive use. A six-piston monoblock is mounted up front and acts on 360 x 32 mm discs, with four-piston units and 350 x 28 mm discs at the rear. The forged and ventilated discs boast dual-cast technology that unites the benefits of cast iron with lightweight aluminium.

A PERSONALIZATION PROGRAMME PUSHES BACK THE FRONTIERS OF EXCLUSIVENESS

A masterpiece of Italian style, where the last touch of class is added by the client: the colours and materials that define the interior can be chosen with a tailor-made approach, to create a car that truly reflects its driver's personality.

CONCERT-HALL ACOUSTICS THANKS TO THE BOWERS & WILKINS PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM

Those in search of concert-hall acoustics on the Quatrroporte have only to order the optional new-generation Premium Surround system, created in association with high-end sound specialists Bowers & Wilkins. The system, with a 16-channel 1,280 Watt amplifier and 15 speakers, blends perfectly into the design of the interior and guarantees unparalleled sound with unbeatable dynamic purity.

HARMAN KARDON PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM

For music connoisseurs seeking more power, more dynamism and an extra dimension of emotion the Harman Kardon Premium Sound System brings new levels of audio refinement to the Maserati Quattroporte. Utilising the very latest in digital technology, a state-of-the-art 12-channel Class-D amplifier lies at the heart of this system, delivering stupendous sound quality, whatever the source. With 10 high-powered speakers throughout the cabin, the system produces 360 degrees of sublime sound reproduction despite the listeners` seating position.

WHERE LUXURY MEETS THRILLS

Those in search of an even more sporty look for their car's interior can order the trims in carbon fibre, in a special gloss finish. Additional options include aluminium gear shift paddles, mounted behind the steering wheel and integrated in the steering column, and the sporty brushed steel foot pedals with special rubber inserts.

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA DRESSED MASERATI

Maserati and Ermenegildo Zegna have teamed up to produce one of the most exclusively designed cars ever: the Zegna Edition Quattroporte, the ultimate expression of style and exclusivity with a dynamic and detailed look that is perfect for contemporary style lovers.

TRUE LUXURY IS DERIVED FROM THE SUPREME MASTER: NATURE

Maserati will offer three different Ermenegildo Zegna-designed interiors for the Quattroporte, consisting of Zegna Mulberry Silk natural fibre inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture and a choice of colour combinations that capture organic hues of tan, red, and grey.

by Maserati

The flagship of the Maserati product range, the Quattroporte is larger, lighter, more luxurious and more practical than the globally acclaimed car it replaces. With a 307km/h top speed, it's also as fast as most two-door supercars.

The sixth-generation Quattroporte delivers a leap forward that not only sets the high-technology tone for Maserati's upcoming new-model onslaught, but also remains faithful to Maserati's long history in luxury sports sedans.

The powerful engine and the large cabin are at the core of the Quattroporte's design, dominated by a long, powerful nose and a concave Trident grille and providing a clear link to both the outgoing Quattroporte and the GranTurismo.

Even with all of its new technology, the new Quattroporte remains true to Maserati's roots. Its V8 twin turbo makes it not only the fastest four-door Maserati ever built, but also the most powerful and the most economical as well.

The direct-injection engine family will boast a 3.8-litre V8 and a 3.0-litre V6, both of which are all new, twin turbo charged, designed by Maserati Powertrain and assembled by Ferrari at Maranello.

The 3.8-litre V8 engine provides Maserati's new performance benchmark, reaching 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and achieving a 307km/h top speed. It is 20km/h faster than the Quattroporte Sport GT S and has up to 200Nm more torque as well. The V6 twin turbo doesn't lack for performance, either, reaching 285km/h.

With an eight-speed automatic transmission and both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations(V6), it is also the most secure all-weather performance car in Maserati's history.

To offset its scintillating performance, the V8 Maserati Quattroporte has lowered both its fuel consumption and emissions by 20 percent over the outgoing Quattroporte.

The all-new architecture retains the Quattroporte's traditionally exquisite handling thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution, a double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension. It can now deliver the added security and all-weather assurance of all-wheel drive as well.

It also delivers new standards in quality in every area from design, development, fabrication and process controls. It is produced in a new plant that combines Maserati's traditions of craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies that are able to guarantee outstanding quality by controlling even the tiniest details.

Traditional hand crafted detailing continues in the Quattroporte's cabin, and this has been added to with even more interior space in all seats and both four- and five-seat layouts.

Cabin luxury leaps forward technically, too, with features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals (left hand drive only), reversing cameras and the optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as WLAN-based WiFi and compatibility with most modern mobile phone systems.

With the original Quattroporte in 1963, Maserati invented the concept of the luxury sports sedan and the new Quattroporte continues to be the benchmark for high quality engineering, supercar performance and limousine comfort.

by Maserati

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