FIFTH GENERATION FOUR DOOR (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_maseratiquattroporte_090909

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 124

One doesn't normally expect a Maserati to duke it out on level terms with Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Jaguar but with the Quattroporte, that's exactly what the Italian company found itself doing. And rather successfully, it has to be said. A poor used 'QP' can spell big bills though. Caveat emptor. Maserati has a long history of building fast four door cars. Some of them have even been quite good. There have been some misses along the way but few expected the massive success of the fifth-generation Quattroporte, launched in 2004. Voted the coolest car on the planet by GQ magazine's Objets De Luxe review, the Quattroporte quickly became a viable alternative to the Eurocrat German marques. Here's how to snag a used example.

Modelsword count: 11

Models Covered: (4 dr saloon 4.2 petrol [Sport GT, Executive GT])

Historyword count: 157

A potted history of the Maserati Quattroporte? The original 1963 Frua designed car is a work of art. Its 1974 successor arrived with the oil crisis and is utterly terrible. The third generation car of 1979 was better but still a bit of a blousy old barge. The Gandini-styled Quattroporte IV of 1994 showed a lot of promise but was let down by patchy build quality. The best of the bunch is undoubtedly the fifth generation car, launched in 2004 to rave reviews. Initially launched with the Cambiocorsa sequential manual gearbox, the Quattroporte was subsequently offered in Executive GT and Sport GT trim levels. In 2007 an automatic version was announced that was sold alongside the DuoSelect sequential manual model. At the same time Maserati took take the opportunity to add Granite Grey and Ocean Blue paint finishes and a new type of wood, tanganika, while the interior could be ordered in a two tone colour scheme.

What You Getword count: 320

It makes sense for a car that attempts to cover as many bases as the Quattroporte to allow a little specialisation. The basic chassis is extremely talented, and as well as an entry-level car, the range is split into Sport and Executive GT models. This has allowed the company to fine tune the product into a more focused form. The Executive GT is targeted at high net worth individuals and business users looking for a car that offers cross continental capabilities coupled with effortlessly refined fixtures and fittings. A chrome mesh grille and chrome side grilles compete for attention alongside an external identification plate and 19-inch ball-polished alloy wheels. A wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel and an Alcantara-trimmed head lining are nicely judged details while a comfort pack for rear seat passengers offers combined heating, ventilation and massage for rear passengers as well as electric adjustment of both seats and backrests, retractable wood rear tables matched to the rest of the interior and curtains for extra privacy and comfort. That said, virtually every aspect of the car's interior is in some way customisable if you have the money. Of course there are some customers who need four doors but secretly hanker after the handling and appeal of a sports coupe. These are catered for by the Quattroporte Sport GT. As well as a carbon fibre theme for the interior, 20-inch alloy wheels, a sportier looking steering wheel and handbrake design and aluminium pedal covers, the Sport GT also adds gearbox software that can shift cogs fully 35 per cent faster when at maximum attack, shaving vital tenths off the sprint to 100mph, and paddle shifters behind the wheel. The brakes feature metal weave tubing, cross-drilled discs and titanium-coloured calipers. A revised exhaust system produces an even fruitier note when you let the revs rise and uprated Skyhook software allows the electronic shock absorbers to act in a more aggressive manner.

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