Many loved it, some hated it but most agreed, it could be better. Much better. No, I am not talking about Apple's failed Maps application, I am discussing Maserati's Quattroporte.
It was the epitome of Italian styling, luxury, emotion and, frankly, some auto owner frustration.
But now the Italians are back and their attacking the market with a ferocious counteroffer, the all-new Quattroporte. From what we've read on paper, statistically speaking it sounds like a very appealing product. In addition, we're digging the initial photos that show a modern exterior design and a much more updated cabin -- thank God.
Autocar recently had the chance to get behind the wheel and provide some driving impressions, so without further adieu, below is a brief excerpt.
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...Any fear you may have had about the car’s size impinging on its driving quality dissolves the moment you close the driver’s door. The seats hold your body well, and the driving position, low and long, feels ideal for concentrated driving. The silky engine starts smoothly and there’s barely a hint of a V8 throb, though something warns you about the 500-plus horsepower on tap.
Should I buy one?
It’s tough, trying to reach conclusions about a luxury limo’s ride comfort while driving Fiat’s Balocco test track, as we did. The place is all about near-limit handling, where this car excels. Given the long wheelbase, grippy tyres (and surface) and subtle intrusions of the sweetly-tuned chassis's stability control, the Quattroporte stays neutral in corners to the point of insanity, when you start to notice a whiff of stabilising understeer and a little body roll. Oversteer isn’t really on the agenda. The steering is accurate and perfectly weighted, though I did think I noticed a hint of vagueness on lock, away from the straight-ahead...
2013 Maserati Quattorporte Photo Gallery
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