The range-topping Maserati Quattroporte GTS will be the first of the all-new luxury sedan variants to arrive locally from January next year, priced from $319,800.
Originally planned to arrive in September following its European launch earlier this year, the sixth-generation Quattroporte-based GTS is $21,000 more than the outgoing Quattroporte Sport GTS flagship.
Powered by a new Ferrari-built twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 direct injection petrol engine, the Maserati Quattroporte GTS puts out 390kW at 6800rpm and 650Nm between 2000-4000rpm (710Nm on overboost between 2250-3500rpm). That’s 59kW and 140Nm more than the previous generation’s naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8.
Fuel consumption and emissions are also improved to 11.8L/100km and 274g/km respectively (down from 15.7L/100km and 365g/km).
Aided by a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with five selectable shift modes – Auto Normal and Sport; Manual Normal and Sport; and an Increased Efficiency mode – the more than 100kg lighter rear-wheel drive claims a 4.7sec 0-100km/h.
Not only 0.3sec faster than the outgoing Sport GTS, the sprint time makes the new Quattroporte GTS the Italian marque’s fastest-ever accelerating four-door model.
Its 307km/h top speed – 22km/h more than the Sport GTS – also makes it the second fastest Maserati production car behind only the 465kW V12-powered MC12 supercar.
Stopping the 1900kg luxury sedan is a Brembo brake package comprising 380mm front 350mm rear ventilated and cross-drilled discs clamped by black six- and four-piston calipers respectively.
Measuring 165mm longer, 53mm wider and 43mm taller than the old model, and 107mm longer between the wheels, the new Quattroporte offers 105mm extra rear legroom and 80 litres more boot space (now 530L). It’s also available in either four- or five-seat configuration.
The cabin is highlighted by a new 8.4-inch touchscreen that displays sat-nav, reversing camera, DVD player, audio and ventilation functions. A 10-speaker 600 watt premium audio system with Bluetooth connectivity is standard, while a 15-speaker 1280 watt Bowers and Wilkins audio system is optional. WLAN-based WiFi is also available.
Handcrafted leather and wood trim joins new ambient lighting as standard, with privacy glass for all three rear windows, rear tables, and a rear-seat entertainment unit comprising two tilting 10.2-inch LCD screens available as options.
Other standard equipment includes adaptive bi-xenon headlights; LED daytime running lights and tail-lights; keyless entry and start; active cruise control; hill start assist; stability control; six airbags; front and rear parking sensors; and auto wipers. Adaptive suspension, a dual-mode exhaust (Normal and Sport) and 20-inch Mercuiro alloy wheels are also included.
Personalisation options include 19-inch Tritone, 20-inch Chrono and 21-inch Titano wheels; red, ‘Maserati Blu’, silver or polished aluminium brake calipers; four different upper dash colours; three lower dash colours; five different dashboard finishes; and four different roof linings.
Available to order now, deliveries of the Maserati Quattroporte GTS will start in January 2014, followed soon after by the local arrival of the E-Class-rivalling Maserati Ghibli, anticipated to start at around $175,000.
