03 Jul Maserati Quattroporte Launch

At the beginning of June, Wayne attended the Cape Town unveiling of the all-new Maserati Quattroporte, the occasion marked with all the usual pomp and ceremony, smoke and lights. This latest addition to the Maserati line-up has stunning lines and this V8 twin-turbo flagship now boasts 395 kW and has a top speed of 310 km/h. However, there are also two V6-engined models, one petrol and one diesel. The Italian flair for styling is repeated in the interior and the car meets all the creature comforts that are expected nowadays.

Chatting to some of the onlookers and prospective clients, it seemed to me that Maserati has a good formula going in SA and will continue to sell well even at the brand’s premium pricing. “I think at this level it really doesn’t matter; you will either want one or you won’t,” says Wayne, with a grin. “It’s the exhaust note that is most impressive and well worth listening to as this Italian octet pops and grunts its 530 horsepower tune.”

The first generation Quattroporte appeared at the 1963 Turin Motor Show in 1963 and has been part of the company’s model offerings ever since, apart from 1969 to 1976 during Citroën’s abortive takeover of the company. FMM has a 1985 third-generation car in its collection, which belonged to the late Anthonij Rupert. (See the May 2016 FMM newsletter and June 2016 issue of CCA for write-ups on this car.)