Review: Maserati Mk.6 Quattroporte (2013-on)

Review: Maserati Mk.6-I Quattroporte (2013-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2013, the Maserati Mk.6 Quattroporte was an executive sedan. Manufactured in Turin, Italy, the range initially consisted of the Quattroporte GTS, with the Quattroporte S and D variants following in April and June, respectively. Although available with a viscous coupling-based all-wheel drive system in international markets, right-hand drive models were solely available in rear-wheel drive.

In November 2015, the Maserati Quattroporte was released (positioned below the Quattroporte S).

V6 and V8 engines

The Quattroporte and Quarrtoporte S were powered by 3.0-litre V6 engines, while the Quattroporte GTS had a 3.8-litre V engine. All petrol engines, however, had aluminium alloy cylinder blocks and heads, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), direct fuel-injection (operating at 200 bar), twin-scroll IHI turbines (one per cylinder bank), air-to-air intercoolers, four valves per cylinder and high-tumble cylinder heads with four cam phasers (two per cylinder head) for variable intake and exhaust valve timing. While the V6 engine had a 60 degree layout and a compression ratio of 9.7:1, the V8 engine had a 90 degree layout and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

Models with V6 engines could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and had a top speed of 285 km/h. Models with V8 engines, however, could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and had a top speed of 307 km/h.

The Quattroporte D was powered by VM Motori’s 3.0-litre A630 diesel V6 engine which had common-rail injection (operating at 2000 bar), double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), variable intake and exhaust valve timing, a variable geometry turbocharger, intercooler, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 16.5:1. As such, the Quattroporte D could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and had a top speed of 250 km/h. The Quattroporte D was also fitted with a ‘Maserati Active Sound’ exhaust system which used two sound actuators – fitted near the exhaust tailpipes – to accentuate and modulate the engine’s tones according to driving style, while a ‘Sport’ button provided greater resonance.

From November 2015, the Quattroporte D engine was upgraded with a ‘Start&Stop’ function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic. Furthermore, all Quattroporte engines were upgraded to comply with Euro 6 emissions standards at this time.

Transmission

All engines were mated to eight-speed ZF AT8-HP70 automatic transmissions which had five dedicated shift modes – Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and Increased Control Efficiency (I.C.E.) – and could be controlled via steering wheel gearshift paddles.

Dimensions

Compared to the Maserati Mk.5 Quattroporte , the Mk.6 Quattroporte was 166 mm longer (at 5263 mm), 53 mm wider (1948 mm) and had a 106 mm longer wheelbase (3170 mm). Although the Mk.6 Quattroporte had a steel monocoque, the extensive use of aluminium – for the front subframe, suspension components, doors, front wings bonnet and boot lid – contributed to an approximate mass reduction of 100 kg, with V6 and V8 models weighing 1860 kg and 1900 kg respectively. Furthermore, the Mk.6 Quattroporte had a 50:50 front:rear weight distribution and a coefficient of drag of 0.31 Cd.

Suspension and steering

The front suspension for the Maserati Mk.6 Quattroporte consisted of high-mounted aluminium double wishbones, with forged aluminium shock towers, upper and lower control arms and uprights; the independent rear suspension was a five-link design with four aluminium suspension arms. Furthermore, the suspension included Maserati’s ‘Skyhook’ system which utilised electronically-controlled dampers that could be varied independently of one another and adjusted according to driver behaviour and road conditions.

The Maserati Mk.6 Quattroporte had speed-sensitive hydraulic steering and a mechanical limited slip differential with an asymmetric locking function (providing 35 per cent lock-up under power and 45 per cent under release).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Maserati Mk.6 Quattroporte included dual front airbags (two-stage), front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front and rear seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

In November 2015, standard safety equipment was extended to include:

• Blind Sport Alert: operating at speeds above 10 km/h, Blind Spot Alert used two radar-based sensors located in the rear bumper to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spots and alert the driver to their presence via a chime alert and an LED warning signal in the side mirrors; and,
• Rear Cross Path Alert: used the same sensors to detect approaching traffic that was travelling at speeds from 3 km/h to 16 km/h and may cross the vehicle’s path as it reversed from a parking space. If detected, the same chime alert and LED warning signal in the side mirrors would be used to warn the driver.

Brakes

Maserati Quattroporte models with V6 engines were fitted with 360 mm by 32 mm ventilated and cross-drilled brake discs with six-piston fixed alloy Brembo calipers and 350 mm by 28 mm ventilated and cross-drilled rear brake discs with four-piston fixed alloy Brembo calipers. Models with V8 engines, however, had 380 mm by 34 mm ventilated and cross-drilled front brake discs.

Features: Quattroporte D, S and GTS

Standard features for the Maserati Quattroporte and Quattroporte D included 19-inch ‘Tritone’ alloy wheels with 245/45 front and 275/40 rear tyres, a 600 watt sound system with ten speakers, a CD/DVD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/SD card reader), Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone connectivity, an 8.4-inch ‘Maserati Touch Control’ display with satellite navigation, vertically-ribbed front leather seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, twelve-way power adjustable and heated front seats, Poltrona Frau leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, active cruise control, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera with park assist display, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 40/60 split and folding rear seats, a proximity key with remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors with folding function, a power adjustable steering column (for height and reach), driver memory settings (seats and steering column), four 12 volt power outlets, ambient lighting, a trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring, open pore ‘RADICA’ wood trim, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Quattroporte S was further equipped with a sunroof, while the Quattroporte GTS was distinguished by its 20-inch ‘Mercuiro’ alloy wheels with 245/40 front and 295/35 rear tyres, ‘Y shape’ leather seat design and high gloss Erable wood trim for the dashboard, door panels and central tunnel.

November 2015 update

In November 2015, standard features were extended to include a Harman Kardon sound system with twelve speakers and a twelve channel 900 watt amplifier, an ‘Easy Entry’ remote door release for the driver’s door, auto dipping door mirrors on reverse, the boot could be operated remotely using the key or by waving a foot under the rear bumper and the Maserati Telematics System featured a voice-activated ‘Siri Smart Personal Assistant’.

Specifications and equipment

• Specifications and equipment: Maserati Quattroporte (June 2014)

Review: Maserati Mk.6-II Quattroporte (2016-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in October 2016, the Maserati Mk.6 Series II (Mk.6-II) Quattroporte introduced a revised range that included GranLusso and GranSport variants, revised styling and improved aerodynamics. Furthermore, ‘Start&Stop’ systems were introduced for the petrol engines to reduce fuel consumption (previously limited to the post-November 2015 Quattroporte D).

Visually, the Maserati Mk.6-II Quattroporte could be identified by its new front bumper with matte black profile, new front grille ‘inspired’ by the Maserati Alfieri concept car with vertical chrome elements, matte black side skirts and door mirrors, and new rear bumper with matte black extractor. The Mk.6-II Quattroporte was fitted with an automatically operated ‘Air Shutter’ behind the front grille to control airflow to the radiator and, when closed, reduce aerodynamic drag. According to Maserati, the new bumpers and Air Shutter reduced aerodynamic drag by 10 per cent to 0.31 Cd

Inside, the Mk.6-II Quattroporte introduced a redesigned dashboard which had an 8.4-inch touch screen and infotainment system that was compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility systems.

Safety equipment

For the Maserati Mk.6-II Quattroporte, a new ‘Advanced Driver Assistance System’ was fitted as standard and included the following technologies –

• Forward Collision Warning with Advanced Brake Assist: monitored the distance to the vehicle ahead and, if there was a risk of a rear-end collision, the driver would be warned via visual and audible alerts. If the driver braked and the system determined that insufficient brake force had been applied, Advanced Brake Assist would compensate by providing additional braking;
• Automated Emergency Braking (AEB): if the driver failed to respond to visual and audible warning, AEB could apply the brakes to reduce vehicle speed and the severity of a collision;
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop&Go: when cruise control was activated, ACC utilised a radar sensor in the front grille to maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead by providing automatic braking and acceleration up to the cruising speed. The Stop&Go function enabled the Quattroporte to brake until the vehicle was stationary and would automatically accelerate within two seconds when the car ahead accelerated;
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW): using a forward-facing camera in the interior rear-view mirror, LDW operated at speeds over 70 km/h and would warn the driver via graphic instructions on the instrument panel and an acoustic chime if the Quattroporte unintentionally crossed lane markers; and,
• Surround View Camera: used four cameras – two lateral cameras beneath the door mirrors, a front camera and a rear camera – to generate a virtual 360 degree view of the vehicle that was displayed in the central display.

Like the post-November 2015 Maserati Quattroporte, the Mk.6-II Quattroporte continued to be fitted with Blind Spot Alert and Rear Cross Path warning systems.

Features: Maserati Quattroporte and Quattroporte D

Standard features for the Maserati Mk.6-II Quattroporte and Quattroporte D included the ‘Maserati Touch Control’ unit with an 8.4-inch display, satellite navigation, CD/DVD player, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility systems.

Additional features included 19-inch ‘Tritone’ alloy wheels with 245/45 front and 275/40 rear tyres, a Harman Kardon audio system with a twelve channel 900 watt amplifier and ten speakers, a CD/DVD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/SD card reader), Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone connectivity, an 8.4-inch ‘Maserati Touch Control’ display with satellite navigation, vertically-ribbed front leather seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning with Air Quality Sensor, grain leather upholstery, twelve-way power adjustable and heated front seats, directional bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), daytime LED running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera with dynamic reference lines, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminium gearshift paddles, 40/60 split and folding rear seats, a proximity key with remote central locking, power adjustable and heated mirrors with folding and auto-dipping functions, power windows, a power adjustable steering column (for height and reach), driver memory settings (for seat and steering column), a power-operated sunroof, four 12 volt power outlets, ambient lighting, a trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring, open pore ‘Radica’ wood trim, an alarm and immobiliser.

Maserati Quattroporte GranLusso

Compared to the standard Maserati Quattroporte, the Quattroporte GranLusso was further equipped with four-zone climate control air conditioning, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and power-operated rear sunblind. Inside, the Quattroporte GranLusso was distinguished by its Ermengildo Zegna Edition interior which combined fine grain leather with natural fibre Zegna Mulberry Silk fabric for the seats, doors, headliner and sun visor.

The Quattroporte GranLusso could be identified by its 20-inch ‘Mercurio’ alloy wheels with 245/40 front and 285/35 rear tyres, front lower fascia design with floating bridge element and spoiler, chrome bumper finish, black-painted brake calipers, side skirts, body-coloured lower bumper profiles and body-coloured rear spoiler.

Maserati Quattroporte GranSport

Compared to the standard Maserati Quattroporte, the Quattroporte GranSport was distinguished by its sculpted sports seats, sport steering wheel in carbon fibre or full leather, stainless steel sport pedals, piano black wood trim for the dashboard and Alcantara headlining.

The Quattroporte GranSport could be identified by its 21-inch ‘Titano’ alloy wheels (with blue Tridents for the wheel centres), 245/35 front and 285/30 rear tyres, unique sports bumpers with a glossy black finish, lower fascia linked to the grilled with ‘aerodynamic inspired’ splits, blue inserts in the front Trident and side Saetta logo, red brake calipers and piano black rear spoiler.

The Quattroporte GranSport could also be specified with an optional, extra-cost ‘Interior Carbon Package’ which included a sport steering wheel, gear shift paddles, interior trim and door sills in polished carbon fibre.

Features: Maserati Quattroporte GTS

Unique within the range, the Maserati Quattroporte GTS was fitted with a Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound System which had a 1280 amplifier, fifteen speakers and QuantumLogic Surround Sound.

Specifications and equipment

• Specifications and equipment: Maserati Quattroporte (October 2016)

Related links

• Maserati Australia: Maserati Quattroporte
• Wikipedia.org: Maserati Mk.6 Quattroporte