Maserati Quattroporte

Our verdict

Very literal naming system from Maserati here – Quattroporte simply means ‘four-door’. So take it as read, this is the Italian manufacturer’s performance saloon. And very good it is too. It looks delicious, sounds operatic and drives superbly, but is best sampled with the full automatic rather than the too-specific ‘DuoSelect’ paddle ’box.

Comfort

Slightly stiff in the knees if you're looking for S-class levels of comfort, but that's the trade-off for being able to maintain such a roll-free attitude on the twisty stuff. There's plenty of room though, and as a stylish long-distance cruiser it can't be beaten - especially if you get the adaptive damping offered by the ‘Skyhook' system.

Performance

A Ferrari-derived 4.2-litre V8 with 400bhp makes the Quattroporte quite capable of dealing with all but the most determined of challengers; equipped with the ‘DuoSelect' version of Maserati's own ‘CambioCorsa' F1 gearbox the QP will hit 62mph in just 5.2 seconds and run all the way to 171mph. The six-speed torque converter automatic is slightly slower at 5.6 to 62mph and 167mph, but much easier to live with.

Cool

Luca de Montezemolo, de facto boss of everything interesting and Italian and widely regarded as one of the coolest men in the world, is chauffeur-driven in a Quattroporte. If it's good enough for him...

Quality

Early niggles with clutches and gearboxes (‘DuoSelect' was the only option for the first couple of years of the QP's life) seem to have been sorted. Quality control seems to have seen an ongoing improvement with Maserati's cars, so late models should be as good to own as they are to look at.

Handling

One of the best and most natural-handling cars of this size, the Quattroporte was always designed to manage dynamic flair as well as practical space. Attack a twisty road and the QP disguises its bulk quickly and efficiently, understeering slightly before you either back off or induce grin-factor 10 oversteer. For a car that wears a fairly sober suit, the QP knows how to have fun.

Practicality

Luxury travel for four (rather than the GranTurismo's slightly more strained coupe dimensions) mean that the QP is really very practical. It might not be the biggest in class, but space is pretty good and a 450-litre boot should deal with their luggage too.

Running costs

Practical it might be, but cheap to run it isn't. Group 20 insurance, mid-teens mpg, orbital servicing costs and 370g/km mean that you'll be taxed hard and often for having such a lovely car.