The Maserati Quattroporte has been around for eight years now, and usually, that would mean the end of the road for a generation.
But not for the Quattroporte. It's been given a new impulse, so now it's ready for the 2021 model year.
Today we're driving the top-of-the-range version; the Trofeo. However, before we get in, we're going to check out the exterior.
They've flattened the bars in the grille, and in this case they've received a gloss black coating.
The Trofeo can be recognized by the 21-inch wheels, which come as standard. Also, it has all kinds of badges and red vents over here.
It's a big car as well. Just look at the measurements. It's 5.26 metres long, which is only three centimetres shorter than a long-wheelbase S-Class.
The wheelbase is even 3.17 metres long, which is seriously big. I'm really curious how that translates into the rear seat.
A fun detail is this Italian flag on the B-pillar.
Then, the doors. You don't need to throw them shut, because they have a soft close-function. That means it'll close the door itself.
If we move to the back, we've got new rear lights. They have the famous Maserati-boomerang design. Remember, from the 3200GT?
Or rather, the first generation that is. Anyway, the boot. It can hold 530 litres.
Nothing wrong with that for a car this size. It offers more than enough room for all of your luggage.
What's strange however, is that you have to close the bootlid by yourself. This is the most expensive version remember? Despite that,
it doesn't close with the push of a button. Also, the finishing in here could've been better for a car in this class.
Like I said, the car is very long. It has a wheelbase of 3.17 metres, and that translates really well into the cabin. Just look at this.
It's really like a long-wheelbase S-Class. However, there's barely enough headroom. That's because of the sunroof, which has to...
go somewhere as well. Despite that, it's more than spacious enough back here. There aren't any USB-ports in the middle console,
but there's one hidden in the armrest. Next to the 12V-port that is, but that's about it.
Both seats in the back are heated, of course, and we've got some automatic curtains in the rear doors and on the back window.
With that, you're able to talk about all things that you aren't supposed to talk about with all of the privacy in the world.
Anyway, it's very cozy and spacious in here.
What's new for the 2021 model year is this engine. Don't be afraid however, because where a new model year usually means downsizing,
the hybrid 2.0-litre drivetrain will only find its way to the Levante and Ghibli. It won't be in this car. Not in the near future, or ever maybe.
No, this is the Trofeo-engine. The Levante and Ghibli have Trofeo-versions as well, so we already know this engine.
It's a twin-turbo V8, made by Ferrari. That's right. A saloon car with a Ferrari-heart. It kind of reminds me of the Lancia Thema 8.32,
which was another Italian saloon car with a Ferrari-engine. However, things are different in here.
It also reminds me of the old Maserati Biturbo, because this too has two turbo's. In here, it produces a total of 580 horsepower and...
730 Nm of torque, connected to the famous 8-speed automatic gearbox by ZF.
Let's find out how that drives, shall we?
This car is all about driving pleasure. It's been developed for that very goal. And that's logical, because when you think of an Italian...
sports saloon with a Ferrari-engine, you know you're going to enjoy that.
That's not only because of the engine, because the steering and the chassis play a big role in driving pleasure as well.
So when you get in, trust me if I say that you'll want to push these two buttons first.
One says 'Sport Corsa', and that has nothing to do with an Opel Corsa. Instead, it's the Sport-mode in this Quattroporte.
It applies to the engine and the transmission. Beneath that button is the button that puts the shocks in Sport-mode as well.
That isn't done with the first button. If you've pressed both buttons, the car is primed and ready. As a result, the car remains more...
stable in corners and the throttle response is much quicker. Also, it doesn't change gear as quickly, so if you go onto the motorway...
you have to disengage Sport-mode, because it'll keep revving much higher whilst using more fuel. If you care about that, with a car like this.
The engine is a real party piece. It's incredibly quick with 580 horsepower and 730 Nm of torque. Those are very impressive numbers.
And what you see with other manufacturers, is that they usually combine power outputs like that with four-wheel drive.
It's just too much power for the rear-wheels only. You'll notice that especially when you look at sprint times.
It does 0-100 km/h in 4,5 seconds, which is really quick, but there are a lot of cars that are much quicker on that speed.
And they do have four-wheel drive. That's just the only way to convert all of that power to traction.
Even the Levante with the same engine is quicker from 0 to 100 km/h because of its four-wheel drive. Despite being a tad heavier.
Even though the Levante has a quicker 0-100-time, I like driving this car much better. When you're looking for something sporty,
I always prefer a saloon car. Or a coupé, or even a roadster. Anyway, this is a nice, luxurious, big saloon car.
It does heave a little in corners like this, but that's because of the relatively comfortable personality of this car. It is a Quattroporte...
after all. A big, luxurious travel companion. However, I have to say they really nailed the combination between the hard, sporty side...
and the comfortable personality. Even in the Sport-mode, where it's much more dynamic because of the throttle response and quick gear changes,
the steering will remain the same. It doesn't get heavier, because it's already good. It feels very fleshy and there's more than enough feel to it.
It's heavy enough, it's precise enough, it's just like you'd expect from a car this size in this class.
So the handling is very good for a sports saloon.
What's new for the 2021-edition as well, is this multimedia system. It's an entirely new system, called Maserati Intelligent Assistance.
It offers a lot of connectivity which enables you to connect your phone to it. That way, you can operate the system with your phone.
Of course, you can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as well. The system is nice and quick, and even though the screen isn't oversized,
but it's big enough.
Also, the Bowers & Wilkins-soundsystem works incredibly well too. As you might expect from the most expensive version.
Nothing wrong with that. If you connect your phone to the system, you can put it in this little nook, which allows to phone to be wirelessly recharged.
You just shove it in and close the hatch. There are two USB-ports hidden in there as well, but you don't need them to charge your phone.
Close the hatch, and you're good to go.
There's another button on the middle console, which says ICE. That doesn't stand for Internal Combustion Engine, but...
it stands for Increased Control & Efficiency. When you press that, the engine becomes much tamer and efficient.
If you press that on the motorway, the revs drop by 500 RPM or even more. It becomes quieter as well, because the exhaust valves close.
So if you want to go all economical and quiet in here, just turn on the ICE-function. That way, it becomes even more comfortable.
It becomes a tad less sharp, but it's incredibly quiet. It already is quiet in here because of the double glass, but it becomes even quieter.
It's a great travel companion with lovely seats. And with a logo in the headrest. No, when it comes to refinement, it's on par...
with its German rivals. However, this car does come with a lot more emotion, so to speak.
I have to admit. If you're a car enthusiast, you will fall in love with this car. It's absolutely amazing to drive.
Sure, there are a few drawbacks and it might miss some of the perfection German cars in this class have to offer,
but just look at it. Or listen to the engine. It's phenomenal.
It's got all of the safety features and driving assists, so it's fully up-to-date. Even when it comes to infotainment.
But then there's the price. It'll cost you €228.000. All taxes included. So let me get on the internet for you.
I want to know for how much money you can drive a Quattroport from this generation. Here's a relatively old one from 2014. Sure, it's a diesel,
but it's €200.000 less than this Trofeo.