Certain things just sound sexier in other languages, like fancy French perfumes labeled "eau de parfum" and fancy Italian four-door luxury sedans called "quattroporte." But the Maserati Quattroporte is more than a deceptively sexy name; it's a beautiful, performance-oriented Italian luxury car endowed with ample power, sharp handling and two impressive transmissions that make it the closest thing yet to a Ferrari sedan.
Since its introduction, the Quattroporte (the name means "four doors" in Italian) has offered what it calls the DuoSelect paddle-shift automated clutch manual transmission similar to those found in F1 race cars. But the DuoSelect's automatic mode tends to shift unevenly in traffic and its operation is a bit unorthodox. To rectify the situation, Maserati has introduced a six-speed automatic that offers crisp response and fast, smooth shifts that place it among the world's best.
Despite weighing about 4,400 pounds, the Maserati Quattroporte manages to feel like a car half its size with well-weighted steering, limited body roll and a captivating eagerness to change direction. Contributing to this is Maserati's "Skyhook" adjustable suspension, controlled by a button on the dash. Skyhook can be set to the more comfortable "Normal" mode or the noticeably firmer "Sport" setting -- both calibrated on the supple side on the Automatic model to better suit American tastes.
The Maserati Quattroporte, Sport GT and Executive GT arrive with hefty price tags, though, and they don't offer the same straight-line punch as some of their full-size European or Japanese luxury sedan competitors. Yet the Quattroporte is not only a great choice for driving enthusiasts, it's also the more artful choice, with stunning styling by Pininfarina and an interior that's made to order. While its German rivals perform with businesslike efficiency, the Quattroporte is certainly the more passionate expression of "four door" for those so inclined.
