Friday 5th September 2014

Novitec Maserati Quattroporte launched

Still not fallen for the latest QP? What about one with 600hp?

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The current Maserati Quattroporte was always going to have an unenviable task replacing the old QP. Gone was the hugely charismatic 4.7 NA V8, replaced by a 3.8-litre turbocharged engine. It lacked the effortless style of the previous model also. That's before the in-house threat provided by the Ghibli is considered.

Top speed is 197mph. 200 with a breeze?

But Novitec Tridente (yes, the same people behind the supercharged Grancabrio) has turned one of the Quattroporte's perceived weaknesses into a strength. Turbocharged engines are easier to tune, so with a remap and a slight (unspecified) increase in boost pressure, power and torque are up on the GTS by 75hp/81lb ft respectively. So that's a total of 605hp and 604lb ft.

As expected give it remains two-wheel drive, the Novitec Quattroporte isn't that fast to 62mph (4.4 seconds) but the 197mph top speed still rates as PDQ. Once it's got traction there won't be an awful lot keeping up with this Maserati saloon.

That you have to look closely to spot Novitec's visual tweaks is a compliment. The carbon front and rear lip spoiler combine with the new wheel design to give the Quattroporte a much more assertive stance without being OTT. Perhaps the wheels could be an inch smaller. The complete 'aerodynamic enhancement kit' is available for 3,120 euros (see the side skirts also) or as individual options.

Cosmetic upgrades work well

There's a Novitec sports suspension kit also with dampers adjustable for compression and rebound. It'll fit right in at the track day paddock then. Just be wary on the circuit though, there's no mention of brake upgrades...

Yes, the tuning of huge luxobarges is a little daft but isn't that what makes them so endearing? And if you are feeling sensible, Novitec also has performance tweaks available for Maserati diesels.

 

[Sources: WCF]

[ajmcampbell]

Nope, older, prettier, flawed model for me please. This just looks like a big Infiniti saloon.

[rhinochopig]

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

[soad]

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I'm wondering that too.

[thatguy11]

Those wheels are absolutely gorgeous

[selym]

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I know. I wouldn't be disappointed!

[thatguy11]

selym said:

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I know. I wouldn't be disappointed!

To be fair that's roughly half a second slower than an F10 M5, W212 E63 or C7 RS6

[AndrewSV]

I think he means not that fast for a car with 600hp and 600 lb/ft, considering a normal audi a8 with the 4.0T V8 is only 0.2 seconds behind despite being 170hp and 275lb/ft down! That would be down to 4wd and that doesn't tell half the story when you're actually driving the thing, but still, they could have got a faster time surely? even just for bragging rights...

[will-w]

I still can't get over the fact that it no longer has a V8

[soad]

AndrewSV said:

I think he means not that fast for a car with 600hp and 600 lb/ft, considering a normal audi a8 with the 4.0T V8 is only 0.2 seconds behind despite being 170hp and 275lb/ft down! That would be down to 4wd and that doesn't tell half the story when you're actually driving the thing, but still, they could have got a faster time surely? even just for bragging rights...

Clearly, it needs a Nurburgring lap time!

[anonymous-user]

thatguy11 said:

selym said:

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I know. I wouldn't be disappointed!

To be fair that's roughly half a second slower than an F10 M5, W212 E63 or C7 RS6

All of which sit in a class below! Compared to the equivalent A8, 7 series and s-Class it is quite comparable

[soad]

will-w said:

I still can't get over the fact that it no longer has a V8

The flagship Quattroporte GTS has a 3.8-litre V8! There's also a less powerful 3-litre twin-turbo V6...
Source: Novitec Tunes New Maserati Quattroporte to 605 HP

[Krikkit]

soad said:

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I'm wondering that too.

Me three! 4.4s sounds completely bananas for something with 5 comfy seats, a stereo, sat-nav, etc etc.

While the looks aren't really growing on me yet, you can't deny that sounds like a bewitching thing.

[Twoshoe]

ajmcampbell said:

Nope, older, prettier, flawed model for me please. This just looks like a big Infiniti saloon.

Agreed. Mate of mine has one of the previous generation models and it has a certain something that the new one lacks, even if it perhaps looks a bit dated now.

[Esseesse]

[hondansx]

Krikkit said:

soad said:

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I'm wondering that too.

Me three! 4.4s sounds completely bananas for something with 5 comfy seats, a stereo, sat-nav, etc etc.

While the looks aren't really growing on me yet, you can't deny that sounds like a bewitching thing.

I believe the likes of the RS7 and E63 AMG do the same sprint in under 4!

[flatso]

ajmcampbell said:

Nope, older, prettier, flawed model for me please. This just looks like a big Infiniti saloon.

Word! So much cooler, leaner looking; and the sound!
Why oh why did they never offer them with a manual box?
Come to think of it, is there any infos anywhere about converting the old quattroporte to a manual shift? They are getting to be seriously attractive in price.

[anonymous-user]

hondansx said:

Krikkit said:

soad said:

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I'm wondering that too.

Me three! 4.4s sounds completely bananas for something with 5 comfy seats, a stereo, sat-nav, etc etc.

While the looks aren't really growing on me yet, you can't deny that sounds like a bewitching thing.

I believe the likes of the RS7 and E63 AMG do the same sprint in under 4!

As mentioned before, both of those cars are from a class below

[Matt Bird]

MonkeyMatt said:

hondansx said:

Krikkit said:

soad said:

rhinochopig said:

In what world is 4.4 seconds to 60 not considered fast - especially when used to describe a four door saloon car?

I'm wondering that too.

Me three! 4.4s sounds completely bananas for something with 5 comfy seats, a stereo, sat-nav, etc etc.

While the looks aren't really growing on me yet, you can't deny that sounds like a bewitching thing.

I believe the likes of the RS7 and E63 AMG do the same sprint in under 4!

As mentioned before, both of those cars are from a class below

Apologies, that was probably worded incorrectly! It should have said something like not quite as loony fast as a Panamera Turbo S off the line. Not trying to suggest it isn't quick but more that a 4WD car would record a more eye-opening benchmark sprint time. S63 4Matic would be a good one also but I don't think we get that in the UK.


Matt

[canucklehead]

"Maserati diesels" ...... ugh.

The Maserati brothers must be rolling in their graves.

As for the new QP and this version - sounds bloody fast enough to me. Still not happy it hasn't got a V6, and it lacks the distinctive looks of the old version. But, I'm sure if I had one I'd be a happy camper.

[DonkeyApple]

This brand is no longer of any relevance.

It now might as well be part of the VW Group's other than a Golf products list.

Diesels, bland looks, mid management targeting, crappy turbo tuning companies.