AUTOCAR- first review of Maserati Quattroporte Automatic

Mixed up their wet and dry sumps.

 

1990 kgs ????

 

Wow...not only was that a poorly written article, it also failed to give much insight into the driving dynamics of the Auto QP.

 

http://www.channel4.com/4car/di/maserati/quattroporte/6974/1

 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/print.php?sid=402

 

Autocar is a shadow of its former self, and Chas Hallet couldn't tie his shoelaces. I believe he is the editor now.

Editor, and he doesn't know the difference between wet and dry sump. They sell the mag by photoshopping pics of the new Ferrari, the New Lotus The new.........

Its a shame because they have some very talented true enthusiast writers, including colin goodwin who they task with answering inane questions with paragraph answers.

I would wait for the Evo review of the Auto Maser.

 

Quick history, we owned an '05 for about 14 months and just recently traded it in.

I just drove the new automatic last week. All I can say is, this is what the car really needed to compete. Why you ask? Well now it has TWO cup holders, not just one!

In all seriousness i was VERY impressed with the driving dynamics. The car felt as fast as the DuoSelect. What was really impressive is that it still has the same paddle shifters as the duoselect, but when you shift with the auto, it shifts FAST as one would hope it would. The duoselect is a great car, but the shifting was so slow. Once you drove it awhile you got used to it as long as you drove it in sport mode.

My opinion of the new auto is this:

If the QP-Auto is bought as your LUXURY car, this is a perfect choice. The auto is very smooth and is REALLY going to put even more hurt on the 7 series, S, and A8 for more market share. The middle to upper age people will now also be in this car.

If the QP is going to double as your "Sport" car as well, get the Sport GT - DuoSelect. The faster shifting of the sport GT shifts about as fast as the Gransport does and gives you that sport feel.

I have not driven the new SportGT-Auto, but in my mind that is going to be one amazing looking car thats a great driver.

We have had a few Maserati's - QP-Tubi, Coupe-Tubi and still have an '05 Gransport that my wife uses now as her daily driver.

She hasn't driven the new auto yet as I'm afraid that she's going to want another QP as soon as she does.

And besides, there are TWO, not one but yes TWO cupholders now.

Summary - Great car

Joe

P.S. I've owned both a cls and the QP........ QP is a MUCH better car and gets WAY more looks than the cls did....while not as fast as the cls55, overall a better car in my opinion....

 

the CLS is an E class with bling bling, my wife adores her QP and the look factor is a definite

 

Ok, well now with two (2) cupholders I am convinced.

Joe K's report is what I was looking for from one experienced with the QP in its prior form.

I sensed that this tranny would offer the edge I was hoping, and I think it has.

I hope to drive one on Monday so I can get its feel.

My 360 is a 6 speed, but F1's no longer scare me as they once did. However, a car the size of the QP should not behave like a donkey, and I am now hopeful that behavior is history.

I am coming from a CL500 that is very smooth and has plenty of life when needed.

I am intrigued by the QP. Let's hope I do not lose that intrigue.

Thanks, Joe, for the report.

BTW, my 360 has a great cup holder.

 

You're welcome!

btw, my 360 did too... 20oz Bottle would fit perfect slide down the side of the seat by the seat belt latch. just don't put an open can there!

You'll like the QP-Auto. I was more than impressed. We've had an e500 and my cls was the 500. The QP is by far a better car!

Let us know what you think.

 

I will do that.

I'll post my cupholder tomorrow!

 

The QP has been begging for this 'box since day one. Just spent 3 weeks at Modena in technical training at the factory, and can confirm that it drives like twice the car it did. No more clutch squeek on hard acceleration, and big improvements in engine strategy. Great car.

 

Here's my cupholder!
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All the QP needs now is the 4.7l engine to compete against the boring Mercs in terms of sheer power as well as style and handling. The QP's fine chassis has been long overdue for a 500HP upgrade.

 

Excellent review, thanks for sharing!

 

I spent time today at F of SV going through the QP, and boy am I impressed. What a beautiful car.

They will not have their auto tranny demo until later in the week which I will test drive.

This is a fantastic car.

 

Yes it is... You'll be even more impressed with the Auto!

 

Very glad to hear the auto drives just as well. It will be very nice to see more of these on the street.

 

I took a few photos of an Automatic last weekend. I didn't take very many pics and I only got one shot of the inside but here they are.
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Joe, thanks for confirming my experiance with the new auto-QP! I posted that 2 weeks before on a different thread on this forum!

Ciao!
Walter

 

Yesss....1990 kgs of pure LUXURY!!! I give a damn about the weight with such a car! The bloody 612 Scaglietti is also a big fat and -IMO- ugly duck!

Ciao!
Walter