John Dinkel foremost on the 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
Maseratis have long been famous/praised for their ability to go around corners,
but only recently has Maserati turned the corner.
For 2007 only the 4-door sedan Quattroporte models in base, Sport GT and
Executive GT trim levels will be sold in the U.S. Essentially this is a recognition by
Maserati that the rather long-in-the-tooth Coupe and Grand Sport models have
been successful in bringing the Maserati name and heritage back to America, but
they never reached the level of quality and refinement that buyers take as a given
these days in the $100,000-plus Grand Touring sports luxury segment.
And while Maserati sales have grown at a record pace in America these past few
years—accounting for 45 percent of Maserati’s worldwide sales in
2006—Maserati recognizes that its future and its financial success in North
America lie with its more modern Quattroporte models, which were introduced
here in 2005. The Quattroporte is about the same overall length as the Lexus LS
460 or BMW 750i, but its taut eye-catching Pininfarina curves result in a tighter but
sportier seating package than is found in the Lexus or Bimmer.
The Maser’s sporting heritage also is evident in its serious attention to all things
performance. It’s high-compression Ferrari-engineered 4.2-liter V-8 produces
400 bhp @ 7250 rpm and sings a lovely Italian aria as it is revved to redline.
Featuring four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve
timing, this highly tuned V8 also produces an impressive 339 lb-ft of torque at
4250 rpm, 75 percent of which is available at just 2500 rpm.
Automatically for the people…
The big news for 2007 is the introduction of a fully automatic gearbox as an
alternative to the Formula 1-inspired DuoSelect transmission that consists of a 6-
speed electro-hydraulically shifted manual gearbox that can also be used like a
normal automatic when during around town in stop-and-go driving. The new 6-
speed automatic is a collaboration between Maserati and ZF, resulting in an
exceptionally flexible, responsive and smoother automatic transmission that
allows gears changes as high as 7200 rpm, the highest in the class. This
endows the Quattroporte Automatic with serious performance capabilities: 0-100
km (62 mph) in just 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 167 mph. With 10-percent
better highway fuel economy to (right) boot, but still in the gas guzzler category.
DuoSelect models have slightly more aggressive engine tuning resulting in a top
speed of 171 mph and more instantaneous throttle response.
The Quattroporte’s underpinnings are equally impressive, featuring front and rear
double wishbones with arms and hubs in forged aluminum to reduce unsprung
weight, together with a sophisticated damping system, a Brembo braking system
with a ventilated disc at each corner and electronic speed-sensitive steering. The
Quattroporte’s weight balance also plays a role in the handling equation: The
engine is located behind the centerline of the front wheels, resulting in a race car-
like 49 percent of the weight over the front wheels and 51 percent resting on the
rears with the conventional automatic. For DuoSelect models with their rear-
mounted gearbox and differential, the weight distribution is 47/53 for even better
traction and acceleration.
Ministry of the Interior
If there’s one area in which the Quattroporte wins hands down compared to any
previous Maserati, it would be the elegance, refinement and quality of the interior.
There’s not a stitch out of place or a rattle to be heard. In fact, Maserati designers
were thoughtful enough to eliminate stitches where they don’t belong: on the rims
of the steering wheel where the thumbs naturally want to rest. Bellissimo!
The Quattroporte’s woods and leathers are of the highest quality. And in the best
tailor-made Italian tradition, the customer can design the car to meet his or her
tastes, choosing from 10 exterior colors, nine internal colors and five types of
wood trim.
And as a “driver” I certainly appreciate Maserati’s approach to instrumentation and
controls. They are all laid out in a simple logical fashion. None of this iDrive or
Command system, thank you very much. Leave that to the Germans. And I have
to believe confusing over-complicated controls, along with the Maser’s overall
sportiness, is the major reason that Mercedes S-class owners defect from their
M-Bs to the Quattroporte in higher numbers than the owners of any other
sports/luxury sedan.
Okay, already, so what’s it like to drive? Nice, very nice. The all-way power seats
are superbly comfortable and supportive and along with a steering wheel
electrically adjustable for reach and rake, the Quattroporte is for an easy fit for
almost any size driver. Well maybe Shaq O’Neill would be an exception.
The O.C.
It’s slow going on the PCH through Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana
Point. Traffic. Lots of traffic. But the Quattroporte is serenely quiet and composed.
If it’s a sports sedan, it’s hiding behind its luxury trappings at the moment. This is
a good time to fiddle with the new automatic transmission. It’s got three modes of
operation: Stick the lever in D and go or slide the lever down and to the left into its
manual slot, which provides manual control of up and downshifts by moving the
lever fore (downshifting) and aft (upshifting). Paddles attached to the steering
column are the third mode. Right now D is the preferred modus operandi and the
electronics seamlessly move the trans up and down through its six gears as the
traffic ebbs and flows.
I note, too, that I can easily adjust the HVAC system, audio system and other
controls without aid from a screen menu, a voice activated thingamajig or an 800-
page owner’s manual. I am driving in the lap of luxury and enjoying it.
This all changes as I change directions from south to east and head up California
Highway 74, also known as Ortega Highway. Take my word for it: Ortega is a
sports car road. An unforgiving sports car road. It’s 35 miles of elevation
changes and tight twisties from sea level in San Juan Capistrano up to around
2500 ft in the mountains and then back down to sea level again at Lake Elsinore.
If you’ve driven it, you know what I mean.
It’s not often you find a vehicle with such well defined and refined manners under
two such very different driving conditions, but the Quattroporte’s schizophrenic
personality means it’s as much at home on Ortega as it was cruising down Coast
Highway. It feels like it was designed for roads like this. And, indeed, it was. Its
designers certainly understood Maserati’s racing heritage, and my mind conjures
up images of the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio as we traverse one demanding
Ortega turn after another. This is a solid car with instinctive steering, flat, fluid
cornering and powerful brakes. The power is marvelous and accompanied by a
wonderful melodious roar as the engine effortlessly soars to redline. This is
Grand Touring at its finest.
Too soon it’s time to turn back. And the Maser happily assumes its cosseting as I
trundle on back to Newport on the PCH.
Issues? I have two. Throttle effort is high, especially in city driving. And the
thickness of the C-pillars causes me to use extra caution when changing lanes to
the right.
Incoming…..
Maserati says that 2007 is also the year the company turns the financial corner.
Italian red looks great on the exterior of a Quattroporte but not on a financial
statement.
The various Quattroporte models will continue to be priced at just over $100,000
for the base model up to around $120,000 for the Executive GT and the Sport GT.
The automatic transmission is a $1200 option.
Maserati has a strong and successful racing history and 2006 was no exception.
The Maserati MC12 sports car took the team and drivers championships in the
FIA GT Championship and also won the GT1 class in the Italian Gran Turismo
championship.
In early March the Maserati family will increase by one with the introduction of the
GranTurismo at the Geneva Auto Show. This 2-door, 2+2 coupe will be fitted with
the automatic gearbox and a more powerful V8 engine, delivering 405 bhp. And it
will make its in North American debut at the New York Auto Show in April.
Place your bets ladies and gentlemen…
If I were a betting man I’d tell you that the Gran Turismo is the basis for a new
Maserati racing car that could compete at Le Mans and in the ALMS here in the
States. Wanna bet?
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