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2005 Maserati Quattroporte Overview

Big, Bold and Beautiful

To most people, the name Maserati might only be recognizable because of rocker Joe Walshs reference of the brand in his song, "Lifes Been Good." Yet back when Lamborghini was still making tractors, Maserati was a fierce rival to Ferrari on the race track and in dealer showrooms.

Since then the legendary Italian sports car marque has gone through a host of owners, including French automaker Citroen, charismatic Italian Alessandro de Tomaso, also renowned for his Ford-powered Pantera supercar, among others, Italian conglomerate Fiat Auto and up until last month, once-competitor Ferrari. In a surprise

After a number of owners over the years, Fiat has recently purchased Maserati back from Ferrari. (Photo: Maserati)

action, Fiat recently purchased Maserati back from Ferrari, in hopes to align its continued development with the Alfa Romeo brand. Does it make sense? Thats open for debate, but the move will no doubt, in time, affect the cars Maserati has to offer.

Currently, the marques newest entry is its best ever four-door, or Quattroporte. The first Maserati designed

The first Maserati designed by Pininfarina since the 60s, the Quattroporte is breathtaking. (Photo: Maserati)

by Pininfarina since the 60s, a corrozzeria made famous for shaping exquisitely beautiful Ferraris, the Quattroporte is breathtaking. Its lines exude a rare grace unlike anything from its European rivals. Immediately noticeable is its classic Maserati chrome trimmed grille protruding slightly outward, dipping in a V shape at center top position just below the brands blue and red badge. The headlamps, subtly understated, sweep back at an aerodynamic angle.

The hood is long,

A trio of engine vents allows trapped air to escape the engine bay while simultaneously offering a distinctive styling detail. (Photo: Maserati)

with tasteful sculpting between the grille and front fenders, helping to give the appearance of a classic separation. Its long and low design endows it with feline athleticism, especially apparent from profile view. From this angle a trio of engine vents allows trapped air to escape the engine bay while simultaneously offering a distinctive styling detail that will be appreciated by fans of early Maseratis.

The greenhouse is long and narrow, adding to the Quattroportes sporting demeanor, finalizing in a trademark Maserati C-pillar, complete with chromed Trident badge at its center

The Quattroporte is unique in its elegantly simple angles and curves. (Photo: Maserati)

- another classic cue.

From the rear, the Quattroporte is unique in its elegantly simple angles and curves, with smallish taillight clusters and a tapered decklid; the Italians at least realizing that petit derrieres are preferable by most standards.

So does it drive as elegantly as it looks, or does the new Maserati pay tribute to its rich racing heritage? The answer is reportedly both. After all, the Trident brand has a forty+ year history of producing luxury 4-doors with supercar performance, and this latest version is quite capable of carrying the torch forward.

Under that long hood lies nothing less than the same Ferrari derived V8 that motivates Maseratis 4200 GT Coupe and Spider

Those who appreciate luxury over sport have criticized the Quattroporte for the transmissions edgy behavior. (Photo: Maserati)

(convertible) models. Producing 400-hp at a lofty 7,000 rpm and 333 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, the Ferrari derived 4.2-liter 90-degree V8 is capable of pushing the big sedan forward with enough gusto to leave most 4-door peers well behind, achieving zero to 100 km/h in merely 5.3 seconds.

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