Maserati launches updated Quattroporte

MASERATI Australia introduced its updated Quattroporte line-up this week, with the upper-large sedan range picking up price adjustments, more driver-assist technologies and a tweaked engine.

Prices of the entry-level Turbo Diesel and regular Quattroporte variants have been cut by … wait for it … $10, to $209,990 and $214,990 before on-road costs respectively.

Significantly, the optional luxury-orientated GranLusso package previously commanded a $5000 premium over the GranSport package for regular and S grades, but both are now priced the same at $25,000 on the regular grade, and $35,990 on the $239,000 S.

These packages are standard on the $345,990 GTS, while the Turbo Diesel is not available with either package.

The GranSport package includes 21-inch Titano alloy wheels, a dual-cast brake discs – combining iron with aluminium – with red callipers, piano black interior trim, stainless-steel sports pedals, a sports steering wheel, sports front and rear bumpers, gloss-black exterior treatments including grille, 12-way adjustable sports seats and Alcantara roofliner.

Alternatively, the GranLusso package offers 20-inch Mercurio alloy wheels, black brake callipers, Zegna Edition silk upholstery, Radica open-pore wood trim, power rear and side sunshades, heated rear seats, four-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and an Alcantara roofliner, while the GTS version also features rear-door keyless entry and a Bowers and Wilkins sound system.

By replacing the Quattroporte's hydraulic power steering with an electric system, Maserati has been able to expand the model's suite of advanced driver-assist equipment.

Highway assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot mitigation and traffic sign recognition are newly offered on the Quattroporte, allowing it to provide Level 2 autonomous capabilities.

Furthermore, Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) has been introduced. Working in conjunction with the electronic stability control system, this technology aims to prevent loss of control rather than correct it.

Co-developed with Bosch, IVC uses a feed-forward controller to predict driving situations, adapting the engine speed and brakes accordingly.

These features add to the pre-existing adaptive cruise control, idle stop, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre-pressure monitoring, active speed limiter and 360-degree camera systems.

The S grade's Ferrari-built 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine has been given a tickle, with outputs increasing to 321kW of power at 5500rpm and 580Nm of torque from 2250 to 4000rpm, up 19kW/30Nm.

The S now sprints from zero to 100km/h in 5.0 seconds, quicker by 0.1s, on the way to a top speed of 288km/h, up 2km/h.

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres, while carbon dioxide emissions have been tested at 223 grams per km. Both figures are unchanged.

This powertrain is also employed by the regular Quattroporte, but it retains the less potent 257kW/500Nm tune.

The Turbo Diesel's 202kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 and GTS's 390kW/650Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 carry on unchanged.

All Quattroporte variants exclusively send power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.

Adaptive LED headlights and soft-close doors are also new additions to the Quattroporte's otherwise identical equipment list.

According to Maserati Australia chief operating officer Glen Sealey, the Quattroporte's international sales success is owed to its high quality and Italian pedigree.

“From its debut in 2013 until the first quarter of 2017, the flagship Maserati sedan has been delivered to 31,400 customers in 69 countries, making it the best-selling Quattroporte in history,” he said.

“The Quattroporte has achieved this through grand touring luxury with pure Italian elegance, and race-bred style with excellent craftsmanship down to the very last detail.

“For 2018 these achievements are enhanced with more performance, technology and features that enhance its exceptional position in the market place that will continue to draw clients to a car that is exclusive, sophisticated and unique.”

Quattroporte sales took a dive last year, with 34 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a 46.0 per cent decline over the 63 registrations in 2016.

The Maserati placed fifth in the 2017 over-$100,000 upper-large passenger-car segment, trailing the BMW 7 Series (164 units), Mercedes-Benz S-Class (113), Porsche Panamera (111) and Audi A8 (35).

2018 Maserati Quattroporte pricing*

Quattroporte Turbo Diesel (a)	$209,990
Quattroporte (a)	$214,990
Quattroporte GranLusso (a)	$239,990
Quattroporte GranSport (a)	$239,990
Quattroporte S (a)	$239,000
Quattroporte S GranLusso (a)	$274,990
Quattroporte S GranSport (a)	$274,990
Quattroporte GTS GranLusso (a)	$345,990
Quattroporte GTS GranSport (a)	$345,990

*Excludes on-road costs