Maserati Quattroporte

2005 Maserati Quattroporte

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Translating, literally, as "four doors" in Italian, the Quattroporte name goes back to the 1960s. Although Quattroporte models of the 1970s, '80s, and even '90s were more status symbols than driver's cars, that all started to change in the late 1990s when Ferrari took charge of Maserati. From 2004 on, the Pininfarina-designed Quattroporte has offered Ferrari engineering influence in a true four-door sports car.

With a sharklike front end, aggressively raked windshield, and classic, elegant roofline and long hood, the Quattroporte's styling also strikes a middle ground between sports-car athleticism and sedan elegance.

The more savage, sonorous character of the Quattroporte is one of its most desirable aspects. It packs a Ferrari-designed 400-hp, 4.2-liter dry-sump V-8 under its hood, and the engine seldom goes quietly. That's fine, as it rumbles authoritatively in gentle driving yet emits a tuneful wail by the time it reaches its 7,500-rpm redline. The Quattroporte rumbles much like a Ferrari.

The Quattroporte feels surprisingly more like a sports coupe than a sedan from the driver's seat, thanks to the combination of excellent sport seats and quite narrow footwells. The cowl and instrument panel also are curved more like the front of a sports car, and a thick, smaller-diameter steering wheel with large paddle-shifters sets the right mood. The six-speed ZF automatic transmission that's been the only option in the U.S. from 2008, with the original model termed the Quattroporte America, delivers shifts that are a little more abrupt than a typical luxury-car automatic but befitting the sporty character. Among Quattroporte models, the Quattroporte S upgrades to a 425-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8 and the Sport GT S has a 434-hp version of the 4.7-liter. Earlier on, Sport GT and Sport GT S models got various performance upgrades, while the Executive GT model upgraded to the sort of interior luxury equipment you'd find in a Rolls-Royce (including wood rear tables and back curtains).

The QP models to avoid are those with the Duo-Select system; it's one of the worst-calibrated automated manual gearboxes TheCarConnection.com has tested—delivering snappy shifts at full throttle but excessive hesitation and lurching when driving leisurely or with traffic. It even delivers a throttle blip for downshifts. All the while, the 4,400-pound sedan feels well balanced and big Brembo brakes have an exotic-car-firm pedal feel. The Skyhook air suspension is recommended and aids comfort, but even as such the Quattroporte's ride quality also might not be to the liking of all luxury buyers; it can be a bit busy on rough pavement surfaces. Comfort isn't really a strong point for the Quattroporte; the trunk is surprisingly tight, though there is enough backseat space for two adults.

Almost no two Quattroportes are the same. Most are built to order, with many upholstery, paint, trim, and interior possibilities.

2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

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