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But unlike the principal's voice, the Ferrari-derived V8 from the Quattroporte sings a song which could even possibly rival renowned symphony orchestras. In fact, if Maserati released a CD of tunes from their own choir, I think it would sell better than those teenage pop stars. Or maybe close.
Another confusing bit of the car was that it was a lot of fun to drive around, thanks to its superb suspension and a 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution. Around the corners, the Quattroporte had a little roll, and then gripped till your internal organs got rearranged. It steered with almost pinpoint precision and felt much smaller and nimbler than it looked.
It accelerates to a hundred from standstill in 5.6 seconds, all the way up to 270 km/h. And that will not take very long because it has 460 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm (75 percent of which is already available from 2,750 rpm), and 400 Italian horses will prance about at 7,000 rpm.
And if you were to be able to lose your way some how, maybe after heading a little northwards, and chance upon certain highways with enough length where the speeds you intend to hit are legal...somewhat, then the abilities of the car to rocket you ahead will stun you.
Another confusing bit of the car was that it was a lot of fun to drive around, thanks to its superb suspension and a 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution. Around the corners, the Quattroporte had a little roll, and then gripped till your internal organs got rearranged. It steered with almost pinpoint precision and felt much smaller and nimbler than it looked.
It accelerates to a hundred from standstill in 5.6 seconds, all the way up to 270 km/h. And that will not take very long because it has 460 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm (75 percent of which is already available from 2,750 rpm), and 400 Italian horses will prance about at 7,000 rpm.
And if you were to be able to lose your way some how, maybe after heading a little northwards, and chance upon certain highways with enough length where the speeds you intend to hit are legal...somewhat, then the abilities of the car to rocket you ahead will stun you.
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Rumour has it that there was a delay in the production because ZF, a world leader in manufacturing transmissions, did not have an automatic gearbox which could handle the engine's 7,000 rpm. So, ZF went to work and came back with one which revved past the specified 7,000 rpm to 7,200 rpm. Wonderful! Shift speeds are already fast, for an automatic, but activate the "Sport" button and everything changes.
With a chance of good luck and blessing, we found ourselves in that car, Sport button on, Italian V8 song reverberating in the leather-filled cabin while we were gently cruising onto Raffles Boulevard, probably the fastest section of the Singapore F1 circuit which opens next year.
With a chance of good luck and blessing, we found ourselves in that car, Sport button on, Italian V8 song reverberating in the leather-filled cabin while we were gently cruising onto Raffles Boulevard, probably the fastest section of the Singapore F1 circuit which opens next year.
As the Quattroporte drove through, the cries of the holy octet echo around under the bridge and diners by a burger joint nearby stare in awe.
Unfortunately, our fantasies of coasting through the entire circuit were unable to be fulfilled as part of it which runs through the pit area and the Singapore Flyer.
We arrived at the cross junction and turned right onto Temasek Avenue, and again onto Raffles Avenue, the widest section of the circuit and probably one of the best spots for photography.
We would turn left and head under the grandstand by the bay and give it a bit of throttle, just to please our ears, but thanks to the ever efficient and steadfast police and laws in place, we could not.
A left turn at the junction in front of The Esplanade brought us onto another scenic stretch ? Esplanade Drive, or rather, The Esplanade Bridge. Although tempted once again to pretend that we were F1 drivers and then flooring the accelerator, it hit us just in time before we did anything which could have cost us our licence ? yes, even in that "short" stretch, the Maserati was easily capable of being our accomplice in that.
Unfortunately, our fantasies of coasting through the entire circuit were unable to be fulfilled as part of it which runs through the pit area and the Singapore Flyer.
We arrived at the cross junction and turned right onto Temasek Avenue, and again onto Raffles Avenue, the widest section of the circuit and probably one of the best spots for photography.
We would turn left and head under the grandstand by the bay and give it a bit of throttle, just to please our ears, but thanks to the ever efficient and steadfast police and laws in place, we could not.
A left turn at the junction in front of The Esplanade brought us onto another scenic stretch ? Esplanade Drive, or rather, The Esplanade Bridge. Although tempted once again to pretend that we were F1 drivers and then flooring the accelerator, it hit us just in time before we did anything which could have cost us our licence ? yes, even in that "short" stretch, the Maserati was easily capable of being our accomplice in that.
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Driving Impressions
Stepping into the Maserati finds you a well appointed, extremely luxurious cabin. At first glance, it isn't as spacious looking as say, a Mercedes S Class or the inside of a container truck for that matter.That would be missing the point entirely.
The Maserati Quattroporte is designed to be one thing - a driver's car and the subject of prayerful days from your chauffeur as to whether he gets your Maserati for the night.
You feel in control, and ready to conquer the highways and the backroads.
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It is a drivers car. Don't let the automatic transmission or the wet sump fool you into thinking otherwise. Floor the loud pedal and you instantly reach the 100km/h mark in 5.8 seconds (as tested with the air conditioner on, two passengers and half a tank of petrol) in style and comfort.
The Quattroporte holds its ground through corners well, and it is less tricky to get the power to the ground, courtesy of the torque converter - something that normal, everyday drivers will appreciate.
The silky smooth affair continues even when the Sport button is engaged. Then, the car livens up even more. Prods to the loud pedal are crisper, shifts are faster and turn-ins are instantaneous.
Turn the traction control off and give the car excess gas through corners. Despite the car's heavier rear end, tail-outs are relatively uneventful and very easy to control.
No, Maserati didn't leave out the element of fun in everyday driving. Simply put, if you have passion in your soul, then you'll have one of these in your garage.
The Maserati Quattroporte, worth more than $400,000, is being offered as the hole-in-one prize for the HSBC Golf Challenge on 9 July 2007. There are four Maserati Quattroportes offered for the four Par-3s (holes: 2, 5, 13, 16) at the Tanjong course, Sentosa Golf Club.
The Quattroporte holds its ground through corners well, and it is less tricky to get the power to the ground, courtesy of the torque converter - something that normal, everyday drivers will appreciate.
The silky smooth affair continues even when the Sport button is engaged. Then, the car livens up even more. Prods to the loud pedal are crisper, shifts are faster and turn-ins are instantaneous.
Turn the traction control off and give the car excess gas through corners. Despite the car's heavier rear end, tail-outs are relatively uneventful and very easy to control.
No, Maserati didn't leave out the element of fun in everyday driving. Simply put, if you have passion in your soul, then you'll have one of these in your garage.
The Maserati Quattroporte, worth more than $400,000, is being offered as the hole-in-one prize for the HSBC Golf Challenge on 9 July 2007. There are four Maserati Quattroportes offered for the four Par-3s (holes: 2, 5, 13, 16) at the Tanjong course, Sentosa Golf Club.
About the writer
Kaiser Wilhelm writes for www.oneshift.com
Oneshift.com provides a place where car lovers and drivers can easily share their passion for cars thru blogs, car profiles, picture uploads, bulletins and social networking.
Oneshift.com provides a place where car lovers and drivers can easily share their passion for cars thru blogs, car profiles, picture uploads, bulletins and social networking.