Where do you start when you want a luxury ‘Limo’? The obvious starting point is the Mercedes S Class or the BMW 7 Series. Good cars though they are, they’re not exactly cool or inviting. Certainly able, but somewhat ubiquitous. But there is an answer; look for a Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS for sale
When I first saw the Maserati Quattroporte I was blown away. It is such an elegant, beautiful car, I couldn’t see any way it could fail. Short of an Aston Martin Rapide (which still hasn’t made it to the road – but should next year) there was no other four door saloon that even came close. But then I drove it. Oh, dear. However good everything was, I couldn’t get past the gearbox. It was Clarkson’s worst nightmare – the useless flappy-paddle manual ‘box. But this was even worse than the old Vanquish ‘box. It was temperamental and ferocious. It would be almost liveable-with in an out and out sports car, but in a car with ‘Limo’ pretensions it was simply unacceptable. So, beautiful as it was, I could never really recommend it. But that’s all changed.
Maserati very wisely decided to offer a proper auto ‘box in the Quattroporte a while ago, but I never got to try it. But now there is the perfect Quattroprte – the Sport GTS Auto. And this is the car the Quattroporte should always have been. As elegant and tasteful as it always was, it is now the perfect blend of an engaging driving experience and a cosseting, luxurious environment.
The gorgous exterior is a given, but the fit and finish inside are on a par with almost anything out there. High-quality materials abound and, unlike Maseratis of old, not a creak or groan to be heard. The Sport GTS has a firmer suspension than the regular Quattroporte, but on anything but a really rough surface it’s not a problem. There is a decent amount of torque and almost 400bhp on tap, with a 0-60 of just over 5 seconds and a 170mph top speed. And at mid £80s it costs far less than the nearest equivalent S Class (S63 AMG). In fact, it’s not much more than a specced S500.
So do yourself a favour. For once, let your heart rule and buy a Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS. You won’t regret it.
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