MASERATI Quattroporte GTS Review

Keep in mind that the engine is not just compact. It’s also mounted low and as much further away from the front axle as possible. The positioning of the engine within the Maserati Quattroporte’s engine bay reminds us of the Mercedes SLS AMG. The setup helps the weight distribution stay in check.

What this also means is that the Quattroporte will never be bothered by you constantly changing direction like a mad man. Add the aforementioned asset to the aluminum suspension setup and you’ll understand why the Quattroporte shrinks around you out on the open road.

As for the stopping part, we’ve got 380 x 34 mm front brakes with Brembo grabbers, while at the rear we have 350 x 28 mm rotors, also with Brembo calipers. All the brake discs are vented and cross drilled. These provide plenty of stopping power. In fact, Maserati is so confident that it won't even offer a carbon ceramic option, at least not at the moment.

Up to nine tenths, the Maserati Quattroporte GTS is simply brilliant. Sure, a Porsche Panamera Turbo (S) is faster, but the Maserati shares its soul with the driver. And as for the passengers, only the strictest of masochists would choose the Porsche between the two.

Mind you, don’t try to take the Maserati past nine tenths. This is where the Porsche Panamera shows about one ton of extra precision. Not quite relevant for the everyday use of such cars though.

And since we’re talking about silly ways to behave in the Quattroporte, it’s time for a bit of button play. Forget notions like torque vectoring, there’s none of that here. But you don’t really miss is too much. You can simply turn off the Maserati Stability Program and have some good all fun with the mechanical limited slip diff. There’s a 35 percent lock under power and a 45 percent one under release.

Whereas supercharged Jags slips out of their dinner jackets into boxing apparel when it comes to sideways stuff, the Quattroporte GTS is different. The Italian keeps the smoking, but still beats the adrenaline out of you. The aforementioned ideal weight distribution, the long wheelbase and the low-end torque mean you can slide this all day long.

Well, actually... you can't. That’s because while the Maserati Quattroporte’s build quality has gone up, the thing still feels a bit fragile compared to its German rivals.