RE: Maserati tweaks the Quattroporte
Monday 1st August 2005
Maserati tweaks the Quattroporte
New variants new interior and rortier exhaust
  Quattroporte Sport GT |
Maserati is set to unveil two new, mildly tweaked editions of the Quattroporte, at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month: the Quattroporte Sport GT and Executive GT.
Quattroporte Sport GT
This car gets a carbon fibre interior, 20-inch wheel rims with new design, external identification plate, sports steering wheel and handbrake grip, and aluminium pedal covers.
Among the dynamic features, the latest gearbox software shifts 35 per cent faster, there's a redesigned, more sporty-sounding exhaust system and new Skyhook software for electronic suspensions and shock absorbers.
Quattroporte Executive GT
Distinguished by a new blend of colours and wood veneer finishes for the interior, the Executive GT includes the following accessories:
Chrome mesh grille, side chrome grille, external identification plate, nine-spoke 19-inch ball-polished wheel rims, wood and leather steering wheel, roof section in Alcantara and a series of features dedicated (it says here) "to providing maximum comfort levels for passengers (among them comfort pack for the rear seats and stowable rear table in wood or titanium)".
Discussion
It's trying too hard; Maserati in a case of 'me too' product experimentation. Did the old Quattroporte's go up against Merc S classes and BMW 7's? I've only seen pictures (of the old ones) and they look like a far smaller car. I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of the new one. It looks ugly in the pictures AND the metal, and the interior looks cheap and not exactly sporting whatever the trim. Seeing the horrible wood on press vehicles was the final nail in my opiniative (not sure if that's a word, or if it is I probably spelt it incorrectly) coffin.
And in Australia it costs more than an M5, which has a pretend gearbox that's supposedly actually good in traffic. Admittedly I'm yet to drive it (and doubt I ever will - Hyundai is about as high class as I'll ever get) but I've read that it's a flawed 'box that doesn't suit the nature of the vehicle.
(put the fantastic leather dash of the Coupe, give it a proper auto or even manual gearbox, redesin it to make it's nose less porcine and I think it would be a genuine alternative to the ubiquitous 'S').
And in Australia it costs more than an M5, which has a pretend gearbox that's supposedly actually good in traffic. Admittedly I'm yet to drive it (and doubt I ever will - Hyundai is about as high class as I'll ever get) but I've read that it's a flawed 'box that doesn't suit the nature of the vehicle.
(put the fantastic leather dash of the Coupe, give it a proper auto or even manual gearbox, redesin it to make it's nose less porcine and I think it would be a genuine alternative to the ubiquitous 'S').
FestivAli said:
It's trying too hard; Maserati in a case of 'me too' product experimentation. Did the old Quattroporte's go up against Merc S classes and BMW 7's? I've only seen pictures (of the old ones) and they look like a far smaller car. I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of the new one. It looks ugly in the pictures AND the metal, and the interior looks cheap and not exactly sporting whatever the trim. Seeing the horrible wood on press vehicles was the final nail in my opiniative (not sure if that's a word, or if it is I probably spelt it incorrectly) coffin.
And in Australia it costs more than an M5, which has a pretend gearbox that's supposedly actually good in traffic. Admittedly I'm yet to drive it (and doubt I ever will - Hyundai is about as high class as I'll ever get) but I've read that it's a flawed 'box that doesn't suit the nature of the vehicle.
(put the fantastic leather dash of the Coupe, give it a proper auto or even manual gearbox, redesin it to make it's nose less porcine and I think it would be a genuine alternative to the ubiquitous 'S').
I see your point but I think you are wrong!
In the car market today, the same kinds of people buy these cars as they would a 7-Series, S-Class or even an XJR. The Quattroporte has something that the others do NOT have, effortless cool. I don't care if you don't like its styling, the car is cool and much, much more classy than ANYTHING Mercedes, BMW, AUDI or Jaguar can throw at it. Add into the equation that the Quatroporte is such a beautiful car will surely make it a very viable alternative for anyone with the slightest bit of style!
These new revisions will only help it further!
I think the QP deserves to be a HUGE success, purley on style alone, even ignoring the fact that it has reputedly one the best big-car chassis in the Market place today. (See 'evo', 'car' etc).
Somethings just cannot be put into purely objective terms, the Quattroporte is surely one of them.
FestivAli said:
It's trying too hard; Maserati in a case of 'me too' product experimentation. Did the old Quattroporte's go up against Merc S classes and BMW 7's?
Hmmm go back more that 20 years and you'd see heads of state in them. Owners of the Series I or 2 wouldn't have been seen dead in a BMW at the time!
FestivAli said:
I've only seen pictures (of the old ones) and they look like a far smaller car.
Not ture - series 2 particularly was massive for the time - probably bigger than current S Class...
FestivAli said:
I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of the new one. It looks ugly in the pictures AND the metal,
Fair enough your choice. I'd say you need to go to specsavers though!
FestivAli said:
and the interior looks cheap and not exactly sporting whatever the trim.
Interior is breathtaking is you see it for real - the quality of the fittings and leather is superb.
FestivAli said:
Seeing the horrible wood on press vehicles was the final nail in my opiniative (not sure if that's a word, or if it is I probably spelt it incorrectly) coffin.
Well your personal taste is obviously different to the many luxury car buyers out there who favour fine wood finishes - same sort of wood you'd see in a Bentley or a Rolls. After all it's an option and sir can have whatever sir desires...
FestivAli said:
And in Australia it costs more than an M5, which has a pretend gearbox that's supposedly actually good in traffic. Admittedly I'm yet to drive it (and doubt I ever will - Hyundai is about as high class as I'll ever get) but I've read that it's a flawed 'box that doesn't suit the nature of the vehicle.
Glad to see you can back up your half baked opinions with solid facts then
FestivAli said:
(put the fantastic leather dash of the Coupe, give it a proper auto or even manual gearbox, redesin it to make it's nose less porcine and I think it would be a genuine alternative to the ubiquitous 'S').
I think it comes down to Maserati making a statement with the gearbox that the car is a sporting car not another slushbox mile muncher - and given the superb chassis I'd have to agree with them. In truth the CC gearbox (and all other paddle systems) get a bad rap because they take time to get used to - motoring hacks are a bunch of old codgers mostly who prefer to double declutch and feel the the CC is taking their fun away - it's just a different type of fun that takes time to learn just like double declutching in an Austin Princess takes time to do smoothly
If you've driven one then you'd understand I think..... In the end it's your opinion and I respect that - but given your opinion is largely inherited from a few magazines without you actually having seen the car for real (which to be fair you ahve stated
) I do wonder why you bothered to post a response at all! It's hardly been enlightening for any of us 
Still a good troll always gets me going in the afternoon and at least stimulates a debate I suppose...
I'd still ahve a QP any day.
Great to read the debate, but how can one of the world's coolest cars be compared with a bland Merc? I agree the QP can look a little ungainly in pictures, but in the metal, with the correct colour combination - Dark grey with claret leather - it is fantastic.
The new variants should split the character of the car sufficiently between the sporty (younger) and the luxury (older)buyer.
I have driven the QP 3 times but the head rules the heart and my M5 arrives in September. The M5 is a better car in almost all respects (including crutially residuals) but the QP would undoubtedly be the better companion.
The new variants should split the character of the car sufficiently between the sporty (younger) and the luxury (older)buyer.
I have driven the QP 3 times but the head rules the heart and my M5 arrives in September. The M5 is a better car in almost all respects (including crutially residuals) but the QP would undoubtedly be the better companion.
The Quattroporte is probably the coolest new car you can buy right now.
I have to disagree with our Australian friend.
It is not trying to be a Mercedes or a BMW. It is not trying to be anything other than itself.
Considering the fact that the parent company could be in better financial health, you would think that they would play it safe and produce a poor attempt at copying Mercedes and all the other German luxury barges. That Maserati do not do this, and rather make a sports saloon the way THEY like them, is a marvellous thing !
You just know that Maserati do not care about focus groups, customer clinics and all that guff. They just design a beautiful car in their own way, and hope that some people have the imagination to "get it".
Its a wrotten way to run a business, but thank god they do it this way or we would all be driving cloned cars that look the same.
Bravo Maserati !
I have to disagree with our Australian friend.
It is not trying to be a Mercedes or a BMW. It is not trying to be anything other than itself.
Considering the fact that the parent company could be in better financial health, you would think that they would play it safe and produce a poor attempt at copying Mercedes and all the other German luxury barges. That Maserati do not do this, and rather make a sports saloon the way THEY like them, is a marvellous thing !
You just know that Maserati do not care about focus groups, customer clinics and all that guff. They just design a beautiful car in their own way, and hope that some people have the imagination to "get it".
Its a wrotten way to run a business, but thank god they do it this way or we would all be driving cloned cars that look the same.
Bravo Maserati !
I drove a QP but then ordered a new M5. I love the look of the QP inside and out and just wish I was a little braver. I haven't driven the M5 but chose it on the strength of reviews.
A friend here in Australia has ordered a QP for his wife (!) and I'm nearly as excited to see it as I am my new BMW. They are a classy car indeed. I reckon they are the best looking big sedan on the road.
A friend here in Australia has ordered a QP for his wife (!) and I'm nearly as excited to see it as I am my new BMW. They are a classy car indeed. I reckon they are the best looking big sedan on the road.
toppstuff said:
You just know that Maserati do not care about focus groups, customer clinics and all that guff. They just design a beautiful car in their own way, and hope that some people have the imagination to "get it".
Didn't they drop the boomerang lights on the 3200 because of American focus groups?
Still, the QP is fantastic and good value next to the Bentley Flying Spur which is probably the closest car to it conceptually.
Is there any truth in the rumor that the engine is going to be a version of the engine that's in the Ferrari 612?
I believe this is the last time Ferrari will be using this engine line in their cars.
As we all know engine development is pricey so it'll likely be a Ferrari unit (like now) or maybe a VW sourced W12 motor?
>> Edited by dvs_dave on Tuesday 2nd August 15:06
I believe this is the last time Ferrari will be using this engine line in their cars.
As we all know engine development is pricey so it'll likely be a Ferrari unit (like now) or maybe a VW sourced W12 motor?
>> Edited by dvs_dave on Tuesday 2nd August 15:06
Living in the suburbs of NYC, it is easy to get jaded by the sheer quantity & variety of monuments to conspicuous consumption on display daily. But yesterday I saw my first Quattroporte...& was completely blown away!!
The fit & finish were superb & the interior is without equal. I cannot see any reason NOT to choose this over a similar priced BMW or Merc. As they are now under the Ferrari umbrella, their reliability shouldn't be much of a concern...given that I doubt they would be daily driven.
These cars ROCK...
The fit & finish were superb & the interior is without equal. I cannot see any reason NOT to choose this over a similar priced BMW or Merc. As they are now under the Ferrari umbrella, their reliability shouldn't be much of a concern...given that I doubt they would be daily driven.
These cars ROCK...
[quote=JoeKing]
I cannot see any reason NOT to choose this over a similar priced BMW or Merc. As they are now under the Ferrari umbrella, their reliability shouldn't be much of a concern...given that I doubt they would be daily driven.
The only reason a 'petrol head' would chose a BMW over the QP (me included) is having the guts to go for it. If daily driven reliabilty should be fine, the biggest problem for me is the residuals. The M5 is currently being sold by dealers for upton £8000 over list so should be strong for 12 months. The QP is predicted at 45% after 3 years. For a £70000 car that's a hell of a loss.
>> Edited by gregg13 on Wednesday 3rd August 13:40
I cannot see any reason NOT to choose this over a similar priced BMW or Merc. As they are now under the Ferrari umbrella, their reliability shouldn't be much of a concern...given that I doubt they would be daily driven.
The only reason a 'petrol head' would chose a BMW over the QP (me included) is having the guts to go for it. If daily driven reliabilty should be fine, the biggest problem for me is the residuals. The M5 is currently being sold by dealers for upton £8000 over list so should be strong for 12 months. The QP is predicted at 45% after 3 years. For a £70000 car that's a hell of a loss.
>> Edited by gregg13 on Wednesday 3rd August 13:40
Lets be fair here - a BMW 760i won't do that much better than 45% either I wouldn't imagine - neither would a large Merc in many situations.
Even if a BM keeps something like 50% - on a 75k car 5% is still only 3.5k which is 5% of the base cost of a new QP - which to most buyers won't be enough to sway the decision much.
Even if a BM keeps something like 50% - on a 75k car 5% is still only 3.5k which is 5% of the base cost of a new QP - which to most buyers won't be enough to sway the decision much.
mr_tony said:
In the end it's your opinion and I respect that - but given your opinion is largely inherited from a few magazines without you actually having seen the car for real (which to be fair you ahve stated
Still a good troll always gets me going in the afternoon and at least stimulates a debate I suppose...
I'd still ahve a QP any day.
I said I hadn't DRIVEN it - I sat in one at the Melbourne motorshow a couple of years back. And thought it was horrible with a rather gawdy interior, which aside from the pig ugly styling largely directs my opinion of the car. Hence if I could spare that kind of money for a car i'd pop my bum in the M5. Or save a bit and go an XJR 4.2. Or actually, save a lot and just drive a hyundai Getz, which looks better than the maser (though not the facelift) and gets along just fine.
Nice to see some pot stirring - got similiar replies with an earlier maserati topic. (there's a thought! for the same money as the quattroporte you can get a Grandsport, or for a bit less just the Coupe or delicious looking spyder with a proper manual box. And anyone who'd rather sit in the back of the 4porte than the coupe can take the bus.
ali.
I am glad to see a car like the OP on the market. Though I could be happy with the sequential gearbox I'm sure they could make the project more viable by offering a full automatic as an option, perhaps on the new "Executive" model. I'm sure sales would multiply. I think the only other thing Maserati needs to focus on is durability if they are to compete with the Germans.
On another note: At the top of this column there was a display ad from a company called Verdi. In this ad was a rear view photo of a stunning yellow (mid-engine?) exotic. I am embarrassed to admit that I could not identify the car from this angle. Can anyone help? Thanks!
On another note: At the top of this column there was a display ad from a company called Verdi. In this ad was a rear view photo of a stunning yellow (mid-engine?) exotic. I am embarrassed to admit that I could not identify the car from this angle. Can anyone help? Thanks!
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