Some
things just sound better in Italian. In English, Giuseppe Verdi would be a
rather pedestrian "Joe Green." Likewise, would you shell out over
$120,000 for a car that is simply called the "four-door?" Call it the
2011 Maserati Quattroporte, however, and suddenly it doesn't sound so plain. For
Maserati, the Quattroporte name dates back to the 1960s when large, fast sedans
from Italy were a rarity. The current model represents the fifth generation of
this car, and its Pininfarina-designed bodywork helped put Maserati in front of
many new buyers after years of troubled coupes and convertibles. But this model
has been around since 2004, and is beginning to show its age in the face of
newer four-door luxury models from England and Germany. Nevertheless, the Maserati
Quattroporte still manages to touch all of the necessary bases, making it a
memorable luxury sedan.
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The
2011 Maserati Quattroporte delivers a smooth and quiet ride that rivals that of
cars from any other luxury brand, along with that certain little Italian
ingredient -- passion. An even though power output from the available V8
engines is less than that of its rivals, the Quattroporte manages to engage and
excite. This car's handling is also noteworthy, even in its base-model
configuration.
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Unfortunately,
the Quattroporte has received few updates in the six years since its debut. The
Mercedes-Benz S-Class still defines the market segment and is available in
several different models, from a hybrid to the wild AMG variants, and provides
more contemporary technological features. The Porsche Panamera is also worth a
look for its surprising levels of sophistication and performance, as are the
latest examples of the Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ. Most of these alternatives also
have a starting price well below that of the Maserati. But if you've got a
thing for Italian passion, you'd be remiss to pass up the 2011 Maserati
Quattroporte.
Inside,
the driver is treated with wood grain trims and Poltrona Frau leather seats.
The standard dual-zone climate control is a forgone conclusion compared to the
state of the art Bose multimedia system. The sound system features a hard-drive
based satellite navigation system, a CD player, an iPod connection, a 30GB hard
disk for storing mp3 files, satellite radio, voice control, Bluetooth
connection, and a USB/AUX-in connection that doubles as a USB reader. Automatic
headlights and window wipers are also standard equipment.
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Controls
are fairly intuitive and easy to operate, with the Bose multimedia system featuring
a clever infrared proximity sensor that automatically summons the proper audio
or navigation menu to the screen when your finger moves close to the desired
button.
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Technically,
the Maserati Quattroporte can seat up to five passengers, but judging from the
deeply contoured outboard rear seats, only four would really be comfortable.
All seats are supportive and comfortable for long stretches, but taller drivers
may find the accommodations lacking in headroom. The trunk can hold up to 16
cubic feet, which is plenty for a few golf bags and suitcases.
With
some of the greatest Italian engine manufacturing under the hood it is only
fitting the body of the Quattroporte line was designed by Pininfarina, the
famed Italian coachbuilder. With a chrome grille and LED lights the
Quattroporte, could easily be described as 'sexy.'
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Traction
control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake force distribution, and
anti-slip regulation systems are only the beginning of the safety and handling
features the Quattroporte S brings to the table. An electronically controlled
'Sky hook' suspension automatically and continuously adjusts the road surface
and your driving style. The gearbox was designed by the German transmission
specialists at ZF. A state-of-the-art automatic with a manual shift gate and
paddle shifters is mated to the monster under the hood, providing one of the
greatest European driving experiences possible.
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| http://coolhot46.blogspot.com/ |
The
base 2011 Maserati Quattroporte is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 that produces 400
horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. Both the Quattroporte S and GT S
models receive a 4.7-liter V8 that increases output to 425 hp and 361 lb-ft of
torque. Either engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
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Maserati
estimates 0-60-mph acceleration at 5.6 seconds for the base model and 5.4
seconds for the S. The GT S, making use of its launch control system, is
expected to make the same run in only 5.1 seconds. The EPA estimates fuel
economy at 11 mpg city/17 mpg highway and 14 mpg in combined driving for the
4.2-liter V8, while the 4.7-liter engine is rated at 1 mpg greater on the highway.
Standard
safety features for all 2011 Quattroportes include antilock brakes, stability
control, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain
airbags.
Interior
Design and Special Features
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The
Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition goes on sale in the second half of 2010
as a 2011 model. Pricing has not yet been announced, but figure on at least a
$10,000 premium, which would push this Maser’s price into the
low-to-mid-$140,000 range.
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,www.edmunds.com,www.caranddriver.com
