Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: No data available
Most engaging to drive of all the uber-saloons, great engine, sumptuous cabin, full of character.
Frightening fuel consumption.
Perfect for the company director who still loves driving.
This is a big car, but such is its responsiveness and agility that it feels a lot nimbler and smaller than it is, especially with the 25% stiffer suspension of the Sport GT S. This, plus an easily tailored driving position, logical switchgear and clear, handsome dials make for an easy, low-stress time behind the wheel, as does the clear view out.
Using the DuoSelect's paddleshifters, made from aluminium with little leather fingerpads behind, is also a pleasure: their action is precise and, being fixed to the steering column rather than the steering wheel, they are always easy to find. Reverse is easily found, too, by means of a small central T-bar, and there's a useful hill-holder feature to stop the Quattroporte running back during a hill start.
But the DuoSelect system isn't smooth enough in automatic mode: there are always pauses in the power delivery during shifts. It's the best Maserati paddleshift so far, but it's put in the shade by the Automatic, which makes far smoother shifts in auto mode, and which is also available with paddles (standard on Sport GT) as well as the conventional stick.
The weight distribution is slightly different between the two cars: 47% over the front wheels in the DuoSelect, 49% in the Automatic, and you can feel the difference through the steering wheel. It's not a problem, but it does make a slight difference to the overall character.
There's terrific grip, the front wheels hook cleanly into a corner, the rear wheels can be edged out under power, and if you switch the slightly intrusive MSP traction and stability control system off you can indulge in some harmless, controllable tail-slithers. With Sport selected the Skyhook damper system stays firm to the detriment of the ride, but this offers little handling advantage because the Quattroporte is already taut and the dampers react quickly to alterations in cornering and accelerative forces. Sport setting also speeds up the gearshifts.
The V8 produces 396bhp at 7,000rpm and 333lb-ft of torque at 4,500rpm for the DuoSelect, and 339lb-ft at a slightly more relaxed 4,250rpm in the case of the Automatic. Either way, it's smooth and refined, but it's also very, very fast. The top speed is 167mph for the Automatic, 171mph for the DuoSelect, with respective 0-62mph times of 5.6 and 5.2 seconds.
The Sport GT S may not have the on-paper performance advantage of the DuoSelect, but its sharpened-up driving characteristics make this the one to go for.
Plant your right foot from a standstill and you'll be a guest as the laws of physics celebrate Christmas, Hallowe'en and New Year's Eve all at once. The V8 sounds fabulous, a menacing beat and crackle when roused and a quiet burble otherwise, and such is its torque that you really don't need the Sport setting's more eager kickdown, although it's worth experiencing. It has a crisp, connected-feeling throttle response, too - this is a car which celebrates its engine instead of trying to play it down.
