New Quattroporte - first impressions

[topless360]

I had the chance to spend a few days with the new Quattroporte a couple of weeks back. There hasn't been much noise about this car on the forums or amongst journalists, but I came away from the whole experience very impressed. I've found myself thinking about the car over the past few days and that doesn't happen to me easily.

The interior is of an incredibly high quality as is the touch screen in car entertainment system. I've always preferred light sports cars but the ease with which the QP covers ground has got me thinking that maybe I need a big barge in my life as a daily driver. It feels surprisingly agile given its size and weight.

I had the 3 litre V6 version and some of the noises coming from the exhaust in sport mode were utter filth

Thinking about alternatives the current M5 is an option but the interior doesn't look to be anywhere near the same level as the QP. I find it very difficult to get comfortable in most cars (6ft) but the QP was perfect in this regards, possibly the best driving position I've ever come across. I've had a sit in the Ghibli but that just doesn't give the same feel of being cocooned in the cabin, the seat doesn't seem to go as low.

At 26 with no kids perhaps it would be ridiculous to buy one, but maybe in a few years this is a car I would definitely consider. I think Maserati have really turned a new leaf with their current crop.

Anyone else had experience of the QP? I've not really driven any of it's main rivals so it'd be interesting to hear other people's opinions.

[DevonPaul]

You can't really compare it with an M5. It is bigger than an S class merc or a BMW 8 series - it really is a luxury barge.

But Good Grief man, you're 26. Apart from being jealous that you're considering something like that at an age where I was riding an old Yamaha and living in an attic room in a nurses home[1], if you get one of those now you'll be casting a lascivious eye over a honda Jazz by the time you're 40.

Now go and get something appropriate like a 430, Gallardo, R8 Spyder, or Granturismo.

Paul

[1] Actually, I'm not jealous about that bit

[culverwood]

The new Quattroporte is a great car but it is big. If you are 6ft+ and want a Maserati 4 door which is 5 series sized with plenty of headroom I can confirm that the Ghibli without a sunroof has plenty. Both cars are sporty saloons/coupes rather than sports cars and have a lot of room in the boot.

Also Hi - as this is my first post here.

[Mike82]

I had the GT S MC shift at that was brilliant!! if you haven't tried it, I would. I'm now with our first little person and so we've got the QP GTS and I don't get board of it! Happily take either depending on how 'practical' you need to be!