There is an unmistakable sound to a Maserati that is both compelling and erotic. Nothing else on the planet has that distinctive edge, controlled mayhem on the verge of going all Godzilla. The Quattroporte is by far the most serene of the family, a sports car at heart; it also serves as a full-size luxury sedan. Add the GTS option, however, and things can get very interesting very fast.
Power for the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte GTS comes in the form of a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 gasoline engine. It delivers 523 horsepower at 6,500-6,800 rpm and 524 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500-3,500 rpm. Matched to a superb 8-speed automatic transmission, 0-100 km/h takes a mere 4.6 seconds. The top speed reaches the magical number of 307 km/h.
Driving the Quattroporte GTS is easy at speed or around town. Even if those towns happen to feature narrow two-lane roads, as is generally the case in Europe. Built at the factory in Turin, Italy, the fact this is home to so much of Italy’s automotive legacy is not lost on the design team or the workers who build each car. Exploring the vehicle, it is easy to see a lot of heart and soul go into every facet of the new Quattroporte GTS.
Inside, supple leather, wood trim, and satin metal combine to provide an elegant experience. The GTS features seating for four adults, not five as is the case with many other exotic sedans. A striking rear center armrest matches the front center console with a similar look and function.
The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel feels comfortable, connecting the driver to the road in a way few cars can. A completely new dash layout shows speed and rpm with classic white-on-blue gauges, while the center features the always-present oval Maserati analog clock. Some things you just can’t change, the tradition of elegance being one of them. And then there is that inescapable Maserati exhaust note, it’s simply Grande!
