Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon
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A Review of the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon
The new Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon is a sensuous, 3.0-litre-powered luxury car that offers formidable performance.
This diesel variant isn’t quite as exciting as the petrol version, but it’s more economical. It’s naturally just as stylish and holds great appeal as a company car. It’s also expected to become the best selling Quattroporte ever and it’s aimed at buyers who are prioritising running costs.
Synonymous with luxury, we look at the history of Maserati from their start as a family company to the business it has become.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon review.
Overview of the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon
This indeed looks like a very regal, showy car, and it’s a bit of a shame that the diesel variant can’t match the petrols when it comes to handling finesse. The diesel variant also doesn’t sound as good and lacks the sonic drama of the V8.
Its steering is sadly less responsive too, and it feels overly vague and artificial. This is especially noticeable when you tackle corners, where it feels too heavy. It’s a weird sensation, and you’ll also notice a degree of kickback whenever you tread over coarser surfaces.
It’s that kind of thing that dilutes driver appeal, and the end result is that the car doesn’t feel as exciting to drive as a Maserati should.
Body control can be a bit of an issue too, although it’s much improved when you switch the suspension mode to Sport. At the same time, the ride becomes less steady and you might find yourself switching right back to Normal.[vc_single_image image=”86399″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]In terms of the actual engine itself, the Maserati is powered by a 3.0-litre Diesel engine that can get you from a standstill to 62mph in 6.4 seconds. That makes it slower than its petrol counterparts, but the car is obviously not short of speed. It develops 271bhp, which means it’s got enough pulling power to cope confidently with the car on a full load.
There are numerous driver assistance systems onboard to help you out, and you access them via an intuitive and logical touchscreen.
Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon Interior, Design and Build
Maserati have improved the cabin so that it’s even more luxurious than its predecessor – which is really saying something. There are lashings of metal, wood and top-notch leather, and the sense of occasion is palpable.
The cabin is ergonomically sound, too, which means everything is logically arranged and easy to find.
If we do have a criticism, it’s that the interior isn’t as imaginative as some rivals. It also can’t match Mercedes when it comes to overall quality.
Ride quality is also a bit of an issue, especially when you travel over poorer surfaces. The car hardly glides as a luxury saloon should, and if comfort is paramount to you and your passengers you might want to take a look at a Mercedes Saloon instead.[vc_single_image image=”86400″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]On the other hand, the nicely cushioned seats are comfortable and the Maserati feels perfectly cosseted when you’re cruising over smoother surfaces. Insulation is good too, and travelling over longer distances can be enjoyable if the conditions are right.
Is the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon practical? It’s some 107mm longer than last time, and this has brought about a marked improvement in rear seat space. Legroom, in particular, is generous, although rear headroom is still limited by the low roofline.
A 3-seater rear bench is standard but you can swap it for a two-seater get-up if that’s all you need. It’s certainly more luxurious, and your two passengers will appreciate the extra space and comfort that comes with it.
The boot, meanwhile, measures 530-litres, which is a huge improvement over its predecessor.
So, how reliable is the Maserati brand? In our detailed and honest review, we summarise the luxury Italian brand.
Equipment and Safety of the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon
Standard kit is reasonable for such an expensive car, and all models come with climate control, sat nav and full leather upholstery.
However, to get the most out of the car you’d need to take a look at the various luxury, comfort and sports packages. Be warned that these don’t come cheap but they do include the likes of Alcantara suede roof lining, a carbon fibre and wood steering wheel and three-zone rear seat heating.
In terms of how safe the car is, it has no safety rating because it hasn’t – and won’t – be crash tested by Euro NCAP. However, its super strong body should go some way to reassuring buyers, and its standard safety kit comes complete with lots of active safety systems.
Costs of the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon
Prices for the new car start out from £35,300 and rise to £61,665. For more information on our leasing deals, check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, this diesel variant is the most frugal in the range. It can return as much as 45.6mpg on a good day and emits a reasonable 163g/km of CO2.
These are impressive numbers, but there are rivals that are even more frugal. At the same time, there are also rivals that are a lot more expensive to run.
Pros and Cons of the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon
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Pros:
Economical
Performance is still good but the focus here is on economy, and this Maserati is one of the most frugal luxury Saloon cars there is.
Gorgeous interior
Perhaps it isn’t as imaginative as others, but this cabin is still first-rate stuff. Some of the materials used are absolutely exquisite.
Fast
The petrol variant is faster, but this diesel Maserati can still show a quick turn of pace when you want it to.[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]
Cons:
Expensive to buy
It’s fairly affordable to run for this type of car but you’ll need to spend over £74,000 initially.
Not quite as comfortable as rivals
As a luxury saloon, you do expect ride quality to be better.
Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Saloon vs Infiniti Q60
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 review.
Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Saloon
If you’re looking for serious performance from the Giulia, you need to take a look at the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Saloon variant.
Alfa Romeo are very good at crafting sexy cars, and this one is no different. With 503bhp and plenty of fire in its belly, it can dust off 0-62mph in less than 5.0 seconds.
When it comes to handling finesse, it’s top drawer stuff, with the Giulia benefiting from a rear wheel drive layout. This ensures a purer experience and puts one in the mind of BMW at their best.
In all conditions, the car is a joy to drive. It’s light, engaging, and our only criticism is that there is no manual transmission available. Instead, all drivers have to settle for an 8-speed automatic. Not that there’s anything wrong with this gearbox per se. In fact, it changes gear quickly and smoothly, and you can opt for aluminium paddles if you wish.[vc_single_image image=”86401″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]Running costs? The standard Giulia is actually reasonably economical, but this powerhouse Quadrifoglio model returns a shade over 30mpg at best. It emits 212g/km of CO2, and that gives it a BiK rating of 37% – the highest there is.
It’s not cheap to insure either and sits in group 46 out of 50.
Inside, there’s a lot to love about this car. Its cabin is luxurious and there’s a real focus on the driver. To that end, the screen and some of the controls are tilted towards you for ease of use.
The dashboard is modern and clean, and this range-topping model comes with a smart and highly useful 8.8″ infotainment screen that sits behind a panel of glass. It’s first-rate stuff, although build quality could be better.
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Saloon practical? It boasts a longer wheelbase than the Maserati (and indeed any other car in this class), and four adults can sit in comfort on longer trips.
Rear seat space is excellent, although anyone sat in the middle will have to face up to a few compromises.
The boot meanwhile, measures an impressive 480-litres.
Price:
Maserati – £35,300 – £61,665
Alfa Romeo – £82,500
Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon vs Infiniti Q60
The new Infiniti Q60 looks fantastic enough, and it’s certainly got the luxury. But will its lack of driver appeal count against it?
There’s no doubt that this is a fast car that can hurl you from a standstill to 62mph in just 5.0 seconds if you opt for the range topping model. Ultimately, however, it lacks the handling prowess of the Maserati, as well as many of its rivals.
Moreover, Infiniti have purposely made the engines quieter, and this further weakens their appeal among enthusiasts.
Then there’s the small matter of the standard automatic transmission that takes too long to change gear, as well as the steering that lacks feel.
The result is that the Q60 feels too artificial to be enjoyed.[vc_single_image image=”86397″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]Its engines are decent. As well as the 3.0-litre unit that tops the range, and which covers the standard 0-62 dash in 5.0 seconds, there’s also a 2.0-litre petrol engine that develops 208bhp, and which covers the same sprint in 7.3 seconds.
Running costs? The smallest engine can manage returns of 41.5mpg at best and has a BiK rating of 28%. The bigger engine returns 31mpg at best and has a BiK rating of 37%.
Inside, the Infiniti has a lot going for it. It looks a lot like the Q50, build quality is good and the cabin feels well put together.
It’s flush with standard kit too, with the entry-level model coming with voice recognition, sat nav, leather seats, two infotainment screens and keyless entry and go.
The seats are supportive and comfortable, and the quality of the materials used is high.
Is the Infiniti Q60 practical? It’s got just the two doors which should tell you a thing or two about what to expect on this front. The rear seats are small and won’t be much use to adults on longer trips, while the boot is smaller than the Maserati and measures 343-litres.
Price:
Infiniti – £34,300 – £47,275
Verdict of our 2018 Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon Review
Different to any of its peers, this luxury saloon from Maserati has got the looks, the sporty and somewhat arrogant posture, and it’s also got the exquisite cabin.
Ultimately, however, the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel Saloon puts economy before performance and handling finesse. If you want to keep costs down, this is ideal. If you’re thirsting for excitement and some V8 drama, you’ll need to check out the petrol version instead.