New more efficient engine is a beauty; Italian style – we love it; nice to drive
Non-electric steering takes some adjustment
As stylish and Italian as a Zegna suit (more on that later), Maserati’s glorious Quattroporte luxury sedan has scored an updated 2016 lineup highlighted by a new-entry-level twin-turbo V6 petrol model.
Previously the petrol-powered Maserati Quattroporte lineup started at $240,000, but the 2016 model range includes a new 330 version (330 horsepower which is 243kW) priced at $215,000.
And the Zegna connection?
Well, thanks to collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna, you can now order your Maserati Quattroporte with seats trimmed in 100 per-cent natural fibre Mulberry silk from Zegna in combination with handcrafted leathers from Poltrona Frau.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 Overview
The new 330 model is simply called the Quattroporte and in the petrol lineup slips-in under the Quattroporte S (a more powerful 301kW version of the twin-turbo V6) – the latter with an unchanged price of $240,000.
Range-topper remains the 390kW twin-turbo V8 Quattroporte GTS which is simply an outstanding piece of Italian performance/luxury.
Entry to the Maserati Quattroporte range remains the V6 turbo-diesel variant which is now priced at $210,000.
All engines are now compliant with Euro6 regulations and so are up to 12 per-cent better than the previous generation for fuel consumption and emissions.
Other changes included in the 2016 update are new-design alloy wheels, high-gloss piano black trim highlights, standard 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio (optional Bowers and Wilkins system with ‘Clari-Fi’ technology), extra technology such as ‘Blind Spot Alert’ and ‘Rear Cross Path’ as well as ‘Siri Personal Assistant’ voice activation for the Maserati Telematics System and –Maserati being Maserati – a wider range of beautiful optional stitched upholstery finishes.
The updated lineup looks like this:
| Variant | Engine | Price |
| Quattroporte Turbo-Diesel | 202kW V6 turbo-diesell | $210,000 |
| Quattroporte | 243kW twin-turbo V6 petrol | $215,000 |
| Quattroporte S | 301kW twin-turbo V6 petrol | $240,000 |
| Quattroporte GTS | 390kW twin-turbo V8 petrol | $331,000 |
Maserati Quattroporte 330 Engine
Star billing for the updated 2016 Maserati Quattroporte lineup is the debutant entry-level petrol model powered by a new version of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6. Like all Maserati petrol engines the 330 (as in 330 horsepower) was designed by Maserati and is manufactured in Maranello, Italy, by sister company Ferrari.
Maximum power of 243kW is delivered at 5,000rpm and peak torque of 500Nm arrives between 1750-4500rpm (90 per-cent of peak torque from 1600rpm). As always with Maserati, when you work this engine hard through the eight-speed automatic transmission the exhaust note is thrilling.
Zero to 100km/h takes just 5.6 seconds.
Like the other Quattroporte engines, the new 330 horsepower V6 complies with the tough Euro6 regulations – in fact it boasts the lowest combined-cycle fuel consumption ever of a Maserati petrol engine at 9.1l/100kms.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 The Interior
Unfortunately we didn’t get to sample a Quattroporte with the Zegna silk interior. However Maserati Australia COO Glen Sealey said some have already been ordered for delivery later this year.
But sliding behind the wheel saw us being reacquainted with one of the most elegant and beautiful interiors of any current model car. And also one of the largest with room in the rear which rivals the best from Germany.
Our Maserati Quattroporte featured the new high-gloss piano black trim highlights but also available for the 2016 model are some new timber finishes. The range of leathers and timbers is astonishing and was presented beautifully when we visited the new McCarroll’s Maserati dealership in the Sydney suburb of Artarmon.
The driver is presented with a beautiful leather-wrapped steering wheel with electronic adjustment for rake/reach and a twin-gauge, leather-trimmed instrument binnacle which also contains a seven-inch TFT display with several screens containing lots of information and trip computer details.
Centre stack contains the hallmark Maserati clock, climate control details and the 8.4-inch satellite navigation/reversing camera screen which is familiar from the Chrysler 300, as Fiat owns Chrysler too. Below we have the centre console which is again wonderfully styled and the gear-lever is nicely shaped.
The sumptuous leather seats provide plenty of electronic adjustment and of course are expertly trimmed and stitched. And for the Maserati enthusiasts a change for 2016 with the ‘trident’ logos in the headrests are embossed rather than embroidered…c’mon keep-up with the details here.
And, as you would expect with a full-size luxury sedan, the Maserati Quattroporte offers an enormous boot - 530-litres to be precise. New for the 2016 model is electronic bootlid operation with the ‘soccer-kick’ hands-free function.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 Exterior & Styling
No exterior alterations for the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte apart from the availability of some new alloy wheel designs (19-inch ‘Tritone’ as standard or 20-inch ‘Urano’ as an option). No need really – the elegant Quattroporte oozes glorious Italian style and follows a long line of similar Maserati models which dates back to 1963 when the Italian specialist first created a high-speed four-door sports saloon.
It carries the legendary Maserati hallmarks (the contoured grille, three small vents on the front fenders and the muscly C-pillar with the ‘trident’ logo) while delivering an efficient aero Cx of 0.31. And that aero work continues unseen underneath with a flat floor featuring a NACA duct at the rear to direct cooling air to the differential.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 On The Road
After a brief jam in the seeming 24/7 peak-hour of Sydney’s North Shore, our Maserati Quattroporte was soon able to stretch its turbocharged V6 legs on the Pacific Highway en-route to the Hunter Valley and back. And when we say stretch we mean superb acceleration accompanied by a purposeful exhaust note as that Italian powerhouse got to work.
In that city environment the Maserati Quattroporte offers a driving function called ‘I.C.E.’. This stands for ‘Increased Control Efficiency’ and it provides maximum fuel efficiency and soft gear changes.
We headed off the freeway to tackle the curves to Mount White and beyond – familiar roads for local motorcycle enthusiasts. This called for the ‘Sport’ function and a firmer setting for the dampers (interestingly with Maserati you can opt for the ‘Sport’ setting but leave the suspension in the softer normal setting) and manual gear changes via the steering wheel paddle shifters.
With the full sports setup for the double wishbone suspension, many would say this is the ‘proper’ Maserati (a company like Ferrari which has its roots in European motorsport). Over those often tight twists inland from Wyong and up to Cessnock the Quattroporte responded as you would expect from an Italian high-performance car with the precision and feedback demanded by enthusiast drivers.
Yes this is also a luxury car weighing-in at north of 1.8-tonnes but the Quattroporte rewards with precision but also the flamboyance you expect from the Italians. There’s a liveliness around the rear-end which keeps you engaged…we liked that a lot.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 Challenges
Maserati has ignored the switch to electric power steering with a servo-powered hydraulic system which provides desirable weight to the feel. However in fast switchback corners it takes some time to acclimatize to the varying assistance.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 Verdict
The latest Maserati Quattroporte is an Italian thoroughbred we rate very highly (hence our 4.5-star rating). Like a Ferrari, it’s different to the Germans – and Maserati says it’s this ‘Italian-ness’ which motivates many buyers.
Abundant luxury (sorry we can’t report on the Zegna interior but you get the picture), abundant style and abundant performance are what the Quattroporte is all about. It delivers big-time in all of that.
But what is not often reported about the Quattroporte is the rear seat spaciousness. Despite is coupe-like looks the Maserati Quattroporte has your S-Class, 7 Series or A8 matched in the rear.
Maserati Quattroporte 330 The Competition
Some rate the Mercedes-Benz S- Class as the world’s best car and you’ll get no argument from us on that. It’s a bit pricier than the Quattroporte 330 but the S-Class offers a combination of performance, technology and driving dynamics which justifies every cent.
For us, the Audi A8 mounts a compelling challenge to the S-Class (some rate the A8’s interior ahead of the Benz). Only one petrol model.
As we write we’re just weeks away from the launch of the all-new BMW 7 Series.
