The Maserati Quattroporte competes in the same league as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it aims to distinguish itself with its stunning design and spirited powertrains. Can the Quattroporte hold its ground against its German competitors?
Despite being on the market for nearly a decade, the current generation Quattroporte still exudes elegance as a full-size luxury sedan. Its design stands out compared to the more conventional-looking A8. While Maserati has made some minor styling tweaks to the Quattroporte over the years, a new, slightly smaller version is on the horizon as Maserati plans to streamline its sedan lineup to just one model, which means the Ghibli will be discontinued by around 2024.
The real excitement lies under the hood. The top-tier Quattroporte Trofeo boasts a Ferrari-derived twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine that pumps out an impressive 580 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking less power, the GT and Modena trims offer a 3.0-liter V6 engine with either 345 hp or 424 hp.
The Quattroporte Trofeo can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 203 mph. While the Trofeo packs a punch, it may not deliver the same level of thrills as the V8-powered Audi S8 or Mercedes-AMG S63. Nevertheless, a gentle tap on the accelerator provides a swift response. The engine operates smoothly and delivers power steadily all the way up to its 7,200 rpm redline.
The power generated is directed to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. With this much power, it’s easy to break traction with the rear wheels, offering a playful experience on dry roads, although it may not be as enjoyable on wet surfaces without all-wheel drive.
Let’s not forget the remarkable sound generated by the V8 engine. In Sport or Corsa drive modes, the exhaust valves open up, allowing the Quattroporte to produce a distinctive sound that its German counterparts can’t match.
Beyond its impressive powertrain, the Quattroporte Trofeo’s chassis and suspension leave room for improvement. While the suspension features an adaptive damping system to firm up the ride, there’s still more body roll than desired even in the firmest setting. When encountering bumps, the suspension fails to provide enough cushioning to mask road imperfections.
The steering also lacks the expected feedback for a sport sedan. The Quattroporte Trofeo excels at accelerating rapidly, but reveals its true colors as a more comfortable cruiser when faced with twisty roads.
Inside the Quattroporte, the interior offers a spacious and luxurious ambience. Adorned with high-quality materials, the interior features ample carbon fiber accents for enthusiasts. However, there are some drawbacks, as certain parts of the Quattroporte’s interior seem to have been borrowed from the Stellantis parts lineup, including window switches and turn signal stalks reminiscent of a Dodge model. While seemingly minor, such details detract from the overall interior aesthetics.
The center of the dashboard houses an infotainment system based on the Unconnected 5 system found in Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, though it represents a significant upgrade over the previous system. The system responds promptly and is user-friendly, albeit appearing slightly less modern than those in its competitors.
The starting price for the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo is $148,895, marking a significant increase from the base GT model priced at $97,995, while the mid-level Modena starts at $107,795.
In conclusion, the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo boasts an enticing V8 engine and an appealing exhaust note, yet its chassis and suspension would benefit from refinement. However, for those less concerned with carving corners on winding roads, the Quattroporte’s aesthetic appeal might just win them over.
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