2012 Maserati Quattroporte Review: The last of the V8s
The four-door saloon has been one of the more elite classes of cars on the road. Owning one signifies that you have an abundance of wealth and you hold a special standing in society. However, seeing as many people have the same set of cars, differentiating yourself might be hard.
Carmakers have always kept the same look and feel of these four-door saloons and have slapped on the term “luxury sedan” to keep it that way. They believe their appeal is towards the more nuanced customer. However, for those of you that like a little thrill and adventure a lot of these luxury saloons might like the appeal. They look too sober, too bland even.
This is where the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte aims to make a difference. The Italian carmaker has been around for a while and in their time they have perfected the art of making a desirable car.
Over the last few decades, however, their value has diminished. It is becoming rarer and rarer to see a Maserati on the roads. The brand did not see this as a bad sign and they embraced exclusivity more than anything. In their bid to revive the Brand they came out with a slew of passenger-friendly cars in the mid-2000s, chief among them was the Quattroporte.
Why is the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte special?
For starters, it is one of the last models to come equipped with that roaring V8 engine. The Quattroporte name now has a lot of significance in the luxury car industry. It is one of the rarer cars in the segment and owning one is indicative of a peculiar taste.
The 2012 Maserati Quattroporte is a beautiful-looking car, the low stance sets it apart from other luxury sedans. While for this year the changes are minimal, it represents the final line of Quattroporte cars that Maserati will make before bringing about a change in the coming year or so. There will be changes to the exterior, the engine might be swapped out, and even the interiors might see an overhaul. Without lingering for too long, let’s dive into the review of the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte.
The pure sound of a Ferrari engine
Perhaps the best way to kick off this review is by extensively analyzing the engine. The Maserati and Ferrari partnership has been a story for the ages and for the Quattroporte the Italians have produced what is perhaps the nicest sounding V8 in a luxury car. From the get-go, as soon as you start the engine the feeling of sitting in a luxury car immediately dissipates. The low grunt from the V8 lets you know that the Maserati is a beast wearing the guise of a well-behaved car.
There are three trims of the Maserati Quattroporte, the base, the S, and the Sport GTS. The first iteration comes with a 4.2-liter V8 that generates a smidge over 400 brake horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. It can do zero to sixty in just over 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 171 mph.
The S and the GTS models get a bulkier 4.7-liter V8 that churns out 425 brake horsepower and delivers 361 lb-ft of torque. The GTS model soups up the engine a little more and manages to eke out 8 more horsepower. Both cars can do the zero to sixty in under 5.5 seconds with the GTS managing to do it in 5.1 thanks to its launch control. This car also delivers a similar top speed, maxing out at 174 mph.
The sonorous powertrain and the six-speed transmission help you get the absolute best driving experience in a Maserati. It is a car for the driving enthusiast, who also has to wear a jacket sometimes and stay formal.
While their numbers are not the most eye-popping or the fastest, it is the appeal of the Ferrari engine that makes all the difference. It delivers a heart-pounding experience every time you push it to the limits and almost makes you forget you are sitting in the lap of luxury.
Flowing design
One of the most iconic characteristics of a Maserati is its design. The Italian car manufacturer has ties with one of the most famous design houses, Pininfarina and their influence can be seen all over the Maserati Quattroporte.
One glance at the Maserati Quattroporte and you will be intimidated, yet there it has this really welcoming aura to it. The Maserati Quattroporte strikes a fine balance between being an outright sports car and a luxury car. The vertical grille is convex rather than concave and the low stance only accentuates the front.
The Trident badge stands out boldly, proclaiming that this car is indeed a pure-breed Italian. The lines sweep across the long and wide front towards the aggressive-looking windshield. It then tapers into the sculpted roof and then ends at the even wider tail. Overall, the aesthetic of the Quattroporte is just beautiful. The Quattroporte reminds us of a shark with its grille and stance, telling us that this is no ordinary machine.
Classic interiors
Italian cars might be mean and aggressive on the outside, but on the inside, they are quiet and tame. This property helps the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte hold its own against its experienced German and British rivals. The Quattroporte is very spacious. There is plush leather everywhere you look and it looks and feels classy. You also get the aromatic leathery smell, reminding you of the luxury aspect of the car.
To add to the subtlety there are wood trims. All the seats are power-adjustable, there is an electric rear shade, dual-zone climate controls, and plenty of space. The cargo space is also great, with enough area to fit in a lot of luggage. There are also several colors and material options available to fit into the needs of any owner. The sheer range of options means that no Maserati is like another. You can customize a lot of the car and that itself rewards you with a bespoke experience.
Safety standards
Almost no luxury sedan undergoes any form of crash testing. The 2012 Maserati Quattroporte is no different. While it may not have gone through rigorous testing, it does come loaded with safety features. There are airbags everywhere, including side and curtain airbags. Technology such as anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability, and parking sensors come as standard. The headlights are bi-xenon and there are even fog lights to help with visibility.
What does it feel like on the roads?
The driving experience is special, it is soul-stirring. The 2012 Maserati Quattroporte might not be the fastest car in the segment, but it doesn’t need to be. It is a car that feels like it was made to be driven. The six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and goes through the gears rapidly. There is no stutter or lag and the car can touch the redline quite quickly. The low stance also helps it aggressively attack corners.
The Skyhook adaptive dampers give the car a rather firm feeling. Turn on the sport mode and the engine lets off a growl, indicating it is ready. The gear shifts immediately become sharper and the suspension stiffens. For all its weight, the car is nimble and feels almost effortless to drive. The steering and weight distribution make the car a great option when facing windy roads. If you had any qualms about the Quattroporte, one drive will dismiss all of them.
Minor drawbacks
Cars don’t come without flaws and the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte certainly has some. The car is now entering its 7th year without a major facelift and it is looking a tad bit outdated. It is in desperate need of a refresh to keep up and Maserati is well aware of this fact. The engine might be the best sounding one and there might be almost zero qualms with performance, however, Maserati should not drop the V8s in favor of something lighter. Speaking of weight, the car is quite heavy, it weighs nearly 4000lbs!
While the interiors might be of superb quality, the plastic switchgear makes the car feel somewhat jaded. It is also a pricey car. A lot of other options can be picked up for far cheaper.
Verdict
While the car has some flaws, it comes with a very distinct appeal. It is not for those that want the run of the mill luxury car. It is for those with taste and those that want their car to show off their personality.
The 2012 Maserati Quattroporte is the only four-door Italian sedan available in the market. This itself makes the car a unique proposition. They have also been afforded the luxury to do things differently.
Hence, the Quattroporte is drastically different from any rival. It is an absolute pleasure to drive and the feedback from the engine only makes you want to keep going. The interiors are remarkably comfortable and spacious. The crown jewel though is the look. The 2012 Maserati Quattroporte is a peach of a car. If you are in the market for something different, something to wow passersby, the Quattroporte should firmly be on your radar.
