MASERATI Quattroporte S 2008-2012 Photos, engines & full specs

The fifth generation of the Maserati Quattroporte was unveiled in 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Five years later, at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, was launched the facelift version.

The Quattroporte S was revealed and offered more luxury and revised exterior features. It was a true Grand Turismo vehicle, but with four doors. But being built by Maserati, it was a normal step and it was comfortable enough for four passengers, unlike most of the GT vehicles on the market which are good only for two.

The flowing, aerodynamic, shape of the Quattroporte was designed by Ken Okuyama at the Pininfarina studio. Its big and low grille, new Xenon headlights, and LED daytime running lights enhanced the front fascia. The raked A-pillars mimicked a sports car. The three vents on the front fenders and curved beltline confirmed the car's appeal for sport. The small, triangular, taillights were designed with the U.S. market in mind, where the brake-lights had to be mounted on a fixed body panel. There was no light on the trunk lid.

Inside, the Quattroporte featured a luxurious interior, with improved leather seats, new wood trim on the dashboard, and center stack. The infotainment unit was not that big as it was used for other premium car-makers from that time. The steering wheel featured several buttons for various functions. The comfortable front seats and the rear profiled bench were designed for comfort, not for sporty driving.

Under the hood, the Quattroporte S was offered with a newly developed 4.7-liter V8 engine. It produced 40 hp more than its predecessor and it was mated as standard to a 6-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF. The former automated gearbox was ditched due to its reliability issues.