2018 Maserati Quattroporte enhanced with new engines and tech

Maserati’s flagship, the Quattroporte has been further enhanced for 2018 with more performance and technology.

The Quattroporte S version is now powered by a new version of the Ferrari made Twin Turbo V6 engine which benefits from a power and torque boost to 321 kW and the torque peak, which is now delivered from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm, rising to 580 Nm. This enables the Quattroporte S to deliver a zero to 100 kmh time of 5.0 seconds and, where the law permits, extend its top speed to 288 km/h, while offering a commendable 9.3 litres/100 km on the official combined test cycle.

Externally the Quattroporte retains its elegant Italian styling but with new Adaptive full LED headlights. The only other exterior change affects the GranSport version which now gains as standard the gloss black grille to differentiate it from other versions of the Quattroporte and highlight its performance orientated role in the Quattroporte range.

Opening and closing the doors of the 2018 Quattroporte reveals another change for 2018: Soft Close doors. Silently and efficiently, the Quattroporte will now close its own doors the final few millimeters of movement.

The introduction of Electric Power Steering (EPS) is another first for Maserati, replacing the previous hydraulic system to better support the driving modes and enables the newly-introduced active functions of the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS).

An expanded ADAS package is available as an option in the new Quattroporte. In addition to the existing ADAS, it includes active functions like Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist, as well as Traffic Sign Recognition. This allows Maserati to offer Level 2 driving automation technology, in line with the top competitors in the high-end segment. A Surround View Camera compliments the reversing camera which has dynamic guidance lines on the screen.

For 2018 the Quattroporte adopts Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC), a new function using Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) software that brings aerospace technology to public roads.

By preventing – instead of simply correcting – a loss of car control, IVC, which has been developed in collaboration with Bosch, uses a feed-forward controller that predicts driving situations in advance and adapts the engine speed and brakes accordingly. It’s claimed that IVC intervenes more smoothly and with less noise than a traditional ESP, ensures better car balance and traction at the limits of the car’s dynamics and employs intelligent torque vectoring to optimise lateral dynamics in a natural way even when ESP is off.

According to Maserati, in dynamic test manoeuvres, IVC has demonstrated higher drive-through speed (for example, slalom and lane change) and improved racetrack lap times.

Subtly restyled last year, the exterior of the Quattroporte uses a bumper design with matte black profile at the front and the matte black extractor at the rear. The front grille, a typical Maserati feature, is inspired by the Maserati Alfieri concept car and has already featured on the Maserati Levante.

It’s more defined shape introduces new vertical chrome elements that contrast with the depth of the shark nose effect. Other distinguishing details of the Quattroporte are the matte black side skirts and the exterior mirrors, which have been slightly restyled to incorporate new ADAS technical features.

An electrically adjustable Air Shutter is fitted behind the front grille between the air vents and the engine’s radiator. The Air Shutter provides optimal control of the engine’s temperature and, together with the optimization of the new front and rear bumpers, air conveyor and flat bottom, improves the aerodynamic drag of the car by 10 per cent, contributing also in fuel consumption reduction of about three per cent while driving on the highway.

GranLusso and GranSport

Maserati offers its clientele the choice of two unique trim options that emphasize the two key pillars of the brand’s DNA: GranLusso and GranSport

The GranLusso and GranSport are offered in Australia with a choice of three drivetrains, starting with the 202kW/600Nm Twin Turbo Diesel V6 as well as the new enhanced 321kW/580Nm Twin Turbo V6 petrol and the range topping GTS, with its 390kW/650Nm Twin Turbo V8 petrol engine.

GranLusso and GranSport are immediately recognisable thanks to their distinct exterior design and unique interiors.

GranLusso and GranSport specifications

2018 Maserati Quattroporte pricing (excluding on-roads)