Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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CARNOISSEUR four score F ifty years ago Maserati created a new category of vehicle by installing a race-derived engine in a premium four-door luxury sedan. The Quattroporte was the fastest car of its kind in the world. Now in its sixth generation, it remains the benchmark of its class. The new Quattroporte is larger than its predecessors, with a more spacious interior and rear seating similar to that of other premium marquees. The biggest changes, however, are the two new engine options. First is the 3.8-liter V-8 with twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection. Designed by Maserati and built by Ferrari, this motor produces a staggering 523 horsepower, the most ever offered. Also, the weight has been reduced from the previous model. This translates into the fastest Quattroporte ever tested: It goes from zero to 60 in just 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph. Second is the 3.0-liter V-6 twin turbo, producing 404 horsepower and offering an advanced all-wheel-drive system for the first time. This engine will be introduced later in the model year. The V-8 Quattroporte was easy to spot at the new Herb Chambers Maserati in Wayland. It's like meeting Sophia Loren—she's even more beautiful in person than in photos. The grill is all Maserati with its distinctive oval shape and 116 vertical bars. The sculpted hood and muscular door panels adapt the design language of earlier editions, with sleek, modern updates. Once behind the wheel I hit the start button and heard the intoxicating sound of the Italian exhaust system. Exiting onto Route 20, the car accelerated briskly with virtually undetectable upshifts in the standard driving mode. As I approached Route 128 I selected full-manual mode and operated the eight-speed transmission with the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters— an experience you expect on a two-seater sports car, not a full-size sedan. Accelerating to highway speeds was effortless and brisk, easily confirming the factory specifications. I particularly enjoyed the steering feedback, as this car utilizes a hydraulic assist system, not an electric one that reduces road feel. I turned onto Newbury Street and pulled into the Restoration Hardware valet lot. I was greeted by three valets who all wanted to park the car in the front spot. Maserati estimates the creation of 13,000 Quattroportes this year, double the previous production. My prediction is this will pay off handsomely. (Starting price is $140,500 for the Quattroporte GTS.) Herb Chambers Maserati, 531 Boston Post Road, Wayland, 888-759-9612; herbchambersmaserati.com BC PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MASERATI CRUISE THE ROADS OF NEW ENGLAND WITH SPEED AND AGILITY IN THE 2014 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE—THE FASTEST CAR OF ITS KIND. BY CRAIG CARLSON BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 116_BC_BOB_Carnoisseur_SUM13.indd 116 6/7/13 1:01 PM