Mirage77

Maserati Quattroporte

Test date 11 December 2006 Price when new £83,200
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What is it?

The Maserati Quattroporte is a beguiling sports saloon. fast, beautiful and brilliantly intoxicating to drive. But only when you’re in the mood; with only a paddle-shift manual gearbox (DuoShift in Maserati speak) and an edgy ride other quick foor-doors like the Jaguar XJR and end-number of AMG Mercs play the all-round role with more conviction.

So why wasn’t there an auto from the off? The company now admits that it was a mistake but a self-shifter simply didn’t fit in with the rear transaxle gearbox arrangement of the original car. So to fit one this time round has required some cunning engineering. The new ZF six speed auto now nestles up front next to the engine, changing the weight distribution in the process and some chassis fettling.

The introduction of the self-shifter has also required revisions to the 4.2-litre V8. Power stays the same at 400bhp but torque has been pushed up from 333 to 340lb ft and it’s optimised at 4250, rather than 4500rpm. The engine itself now has a dry, rather than a wet sump to cope with the ‘box being bolted straight onto the back of it.



More of the review and discussion at SuperCarZone: http://www.supercarzone.com/showthread.php?p=1203