First Drive: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte GTS

It’s perhaps ironic that as the economy wallows in junk, the motoring team have recently got to grips with some truly exotic vehicles.

Just the other day we staged a shootout between the Audi R8 V10 Spyder, Lamborghini Huracán Spyder, Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and Jaguar F-TYPE SVR Convertible — an enviable collection of convertibles costing a total of R14-million.

Recently we also featured the new Mercedes-Benz AMG S63, a vehicle that not only possesses the might of a new 4-litre V8 biturbo engine that pushes out a stonking 450kW, but has the technology to understand voice commands, practically drives itself (in limited conditions) and ultimately takes motorists another step closer to autonomous driving.

This week we continue the trend of exotics and step in to the world of sporty, luxury saloons, a segment largely dominated by German manufacturers such as the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Porsche Panamera.

Now throwing its name into the ring in this segment, and providing a slice of Italy, is the brand with the famous trident badge — Maserati.

First introduced in 1963 as the company’s flagship model, the Quattroporte has always possessed big, booming engines, and this latest generation is no different.

For 2017, the Quattroporte offers a range of V6 and V8 petrol engines designed and manufactured by Ferrari.

The 3-litre V6 twin-turbo GDI engine can be tuned to either 257kW or 302kW, while the flagship 3.8-litre V8 biturbo engine found in the GTS is capable of producing 390kW with a top speed of 310km/h. This last figure makes it the fastest four-door saloon on the market.

Driving modes include the traditional Normal, Sport and Maserati’s version of economy — ICE. Also across the range is a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with rather large shift paddles fixed to the steering column.

The new vehicle also incorporates a number of styling upgrades — from a new bumper design both front and rear to a new front grille (already featured on the Levante SUV) to new side skirts and exterior mirrors.

Changes are not limited to the exterior, with the cabin now sporting a redesigned central dashboard accommodating a 8.4-inch touchscreen that incorporates such functions as climate control.

A new package of advanced driver assistance systems is also available as an option. It includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning with Advanced Brake Assist and Automated Emergency Braking as well as a new Surround View Camera.

Some critics of Maserati will point out that the manufacturer tends to dip into the Chrysler parts bin when it comes to some switches and dials. No doubt the company will put that down to something like “economies of scale”. That may be true, but one must question such decisions in a vehicle starting at R3.2-million. That aside, the overall quality of the interior is very good, with our cabin having a distinctly Italian feel thanks to bright red leather seating — a feature you won’t often find in the more traditional German competitors.

Our launch vehicle — the GTS is available in either GranLusso or GranSport trim — came in a menacing shade of black, dark tinted windows and 21-inch rims.

After shaking off the congestion of Bryanston in Johannesburg, we weaved our way out to the Magaliesberg, an area ideal for exploring some of the capabilities of the QP.

Obviously, on the twisty, windy roads of the region, we wouldn’t dare try and see if that claim of a top speed of 310km/h is achievable, but what we did discover is that extreme speeds do come up frighteningly fast, thanks to sharp response.

There is a smooth delivery of power via an excellent automatic gearbox, but opt for some interactive play with the vehicle courtesy of those enormous paddle shifts and the musical interludes emitted from the oversized tailpipes will leave you grinning.

Yep, get slightly frisky with the right foot and the QP provides the emotion of a supercar. Loud and at times quite brutal, it fills the driving lane with presence.

The QP will often be used to chauffeur the captains of industry from one meeting to the next, so rear space is important — and this vehicle has plenty of it.

In fact, there are probably few vehicles out there which can match it.

Arguably, when it comes to matters motoring, Maserati is a left-field choice and not part of the “establishment”.

Masterati owners let you know that they don’t play by the rules when it comes to buying a premium vehicle.

And that is yet another reason why I enjoyed my brief time behind the wheel of the Quattroporte GTS. – Bruce Fraser