Maserati Quattroporte : Four-door sensation in Italian (Part 2)

In spite of losing displacement and cylinders, the new 3-litre engine variant has 410bhp and 550Nm of torque (against the previous 4.2-litre V8’s 400bhp and 460Nm).

Things are given a further boost by an 8-speed automatic gearbox from ZF, which replaces the old 6-speed automatic. Surprisingly, though, for a brand with a sporting bent as strong as Maserati’s, paddle-shifters are optional.

Luxury levels inside are appropriately limo-class. It’s got a beautifully styled cabin fronted by an understated, elegant fascia.

At any rate, the significant weight loss, added grunt (particularly its torque output) and new gearbox mean a marked increase in performance. The 410bhp V6 does the zero-to-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds, half a second quicker than the old Quattroporte 4.2 and, more notably, 0.3 of a second ahead of the old range-topper, the Quattroporte 4.7.

However, with a redline of 6500rpm, the new V6 revs lower than the yowling V8 on the old Quattroporte, and truth be told, it doesn’t have its aural character either, even with the drivetrain in Sport mode and the exhaust flaps fully open. It growls appropriately on start-up and purrs satisfyingly at low- to mid-revs, but in its upper registers, there just isn’t the hair-raising shriek of old.

The need to rev the new engine hardly arises anyway, because when driving in the city and on the highway, the extra low-end torque is evident. This makes the Quattroporte surge ahead eagerly even with gentle throttle inputs.

Under these conditions, this car feels similar to most of its limo rivals, with the easy, creamy torque delivery giving it good tractability, and the steering quick but not overly reactive.

This makes the Quattroporte surge ahead eagerly even with gentle throttle inputs.

But press harder on some challenging bends and the new Quattroporte immediately leaves its rivals behind, literally and figuratively.

The steering seems to sharpen up and it delivers linear, meaty weight, along with great accuracy and feel (possibly due to Maserati’s insistence on retaining hydraulic instead of electric assistance). It’s hugely confidence-inspiring and, critically, the chassis more than meets the lofty standards set by its predecessor.

The front end bites keenly, it changes direction with amazing eagerness, and there is relentless grip and very little body roll. In this regard, it’s quite a change from the old Quattroporte, which was already one of the best-handling cars in its class. That 100kg weight reduction, it seems, has really made a difference.

So, despite its vast overall size and that comparatively modest 3-litre engine, the Quattroporte V6 proudly upholds the values signified by that bold trident logo on its grille.

It’s spacious and does everything you’d expect from a limo, yet lurking beneath that stately exterior, there’s a red-blooded sports car.

It’s spacious and does everything you’d expect from a limo, yet lurking beneath that stately exterior, there’s a red-blooded sports car.