Maserati Quattroporte facelift gains revised looks, tech

Three years on from the unveiling of the current sixth-generation Maserati Quattroporte, it’s now time for a followup – the facelifted version of the luxury Italian express gains new looks, two new trim levels and a swathe of new kit and technologies.

All models get a reshaped front grille and full-width lower air intake that are more aggressive in look and bring the big QP closer to the design of the Ghibli sports sedan and Levante SUV. Behind the grille sits a new Air Shutter that provides optimal control of the engine temperature and cuts aerodynamic drag.

Along the sides, there are new matte black side skirts, while the indicators are now integrated into the door mirrors. The rear end gets just a reshaped bumper with relocated reflectors. All-in-all, the Quattroporte produces 10% less aerodynamic drag than before, thanks to the aforementioned Air Shutter, reshaped bumpers, air conveyor and flat bottom.

Inside, the centre console is dominated by an 8.4-inch capacitive multitouch display for the new Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible infotainment system, under which sit new climate controls and a new drawer. The gearlever surround has also been redesigned with a new rotary volume and function knob, while the transmission tunnel gains a new cubbyhole lid and a phone storage compartment.

Also added is a new air quality sensor that helps prevent polluted air and toxic gases from entering the cabin, as well as an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems package that includes adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with advanced brake assist and automated emergency braking. There’s also a new surround view camera which can be specified with the ADAS pack.

Buyers can upgrade from the standard Quattroporte to the two new range-topping trim levels, the GranLusso and the GranSport – no prizes for guessing which one is the luxurious or sporty one of the two. All V6 models get these as options, while the GTS comes with either GranLusso or GranSport trim as standard.

The GranLusso is much the same as a regular QP from the outside, with the exception of standard body-coloured side skirts and 20-inch Mercurio alloy wheels with black brake callipers. Step inside, however, and you’ll be enveloped by the Ermenegildo Zegna-trimmed interior with patented silk fabric upholstery on the seats, doors, headliner and sun visors, along with tailoring details and a label behind the sun visors.

Other additions include exclusive Radica open pore wood trim and wooden steering wheel inserts, along with a wealth of standard kit that includes extended keyless entry, power-adjustable pedals, electric rear sun blind, four-zone automatic climate control and heated rear seats.

Specify the GranSport and you’ll be greeted by a more aggressive front bumper (with triple air intakes that improve cooling), a larger gloss black rear diffuser, blue badging inserts and 21-inch Titano alloys with red callipers and blue wheel centres.

Looking for even more visual aggression? You can also opt for the exterior carbon pack that dresses the front bumper trim, wing mirrors, door handles and B-pillar cover in carbon fibre. Inside, there are sculpted sports seats, piano black trim, sports steering wheel with optional carbon inserts, aluminium paddle shifters and stainless steel pedals.

Engines have been largely carried over from the outgoing model, with the exception of the base Quattroporte’s 3.0 litre biturbo V6 churning out 20 more horses at 350 hp; torque remains the same at 500 Nm. The extra power cuts the 0-100 km/h sprint time by 0.1 seconds at 5.5 seconds, and raises the top speed by some 7 km/h to 270 km/h.

Other engines are identical – the S boosts outputs to 410 hp and 550 Nm, and is available with Q4 all-wheel drive, while the Diesel, as it name suggests, features a 275 hp/600 Nm 3.0 litre turbodiesel V6. At the top of the heap sits the GTS model that gains a 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8, pushing out 530 hp and 710 Nm. All models gain the ubiquitous ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and Skyhook adaptive damping as standard.

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