∙Comprehensive history file
∙Lovely condition
∙Recent replacement clutch and timing belt
∙Ready to be enjoyed

Maserati are, of course, a brand renowned for their luxurious GT cars and known for their racing pedigree. But they have also produced a line of four seater saloon cars that goes back to 1963, all of which have been a unique combination of luxury and sporting ability, if not originality on the naming front – “Quattroporte” translating as “Four Door”.

The example we’re looking at here is from the fifth generation of Quattroporte which was launched in 2003 and helped to spearhead the brand’s re-entry into the market that is now its largest, the USA. At the time, the company was under Ferrari ownership and the V8 which came from the Maserati coupe was jointly developed with Ferrari and so is closely related to those found in the F430, California and 458. Here it’s tuned for 394bhp and 333 lb ft of torque at 4500 rpm, which propels the Quattroporte to 60mph in 5.2 seconds and gives it a top speed of 171 mph.

Designed by Pininfarina’s then Chief Designer, Ken Okuyama (whose CV also includes the Enzo Ferrari, no less), the distinctive body style incorporates some traditional Maserati design cues such as the ‘portholes’ in the front wings into an attractive and sleek profile for a large saloon which measures over 5m in length. The generous interior was treated to lashings of leather and all the toys. At launch it drew praise for its superb chassis, though the ‘DuoSelect’ automated manual gearbox split opinion as it was best suited to sportier drivers who preferred the manual mode to the auto mode which was not as smooth as contemporary torque-converter automatic boxes.

The current owner is a serial car buyer who acquired the vehicle around twelve months ago and has added around 5,000 miles to the odometer in that time. Prior to purchase, he invested in an inspection which was all clear and highlighted that the car had received a new clutch, cam belt and a full service in November 2019. Once in his possession, he treated the car to a proper valet, a full refurb of all the wheels, including new tyres, re-painted brake callipers with new decals, a re-painted grille and new floor mats inside. Having subsequently noticed a cracked rear spring, he was able to track down original Maserati parts and replaced the pair.

Having enjoyed the car mostly for longer journeys, he has now decided to focus on the other cars in his small fleet and is offering the car for sale.

Accompanying the car is a large history file which shows a full main dealer history up to 42k miles and regular attention from independent garages ever since. Receipts are included for the major work including one for £2,800 for the clutch replacement. The original manuals are included as are three keys, one of which works and two of which need to be combined into another working key which can be achieved by having a dealer programme it.  The V5 is present, along with the MOT which is valid until July.

Maserati’s reputation for luxury is well served inside the car with black leather upholstery adorned with white stitching and all the toys. As well as the usual accoutrements of a luxury saloon – sat nav, cruise control, phone, CD changer with BOSE speakers, electric seats – the rear seat passengers are particularly well-served with reclining seats and electric blinds. The ergonomics may include some interesting touches (note the front seat heating switches under the arm rest) but in general it’s aged very well and the buttons all function as intended, including the air conditioning which blows cold and the electric folding door mirrors.

The trim is all in great condition as are the carpets and headlining and the capacious boot is very clean with the toolkit present and correct in its Maserati-branded pouch.

At over 5 metres long, the Quattroporte is an imposing presence and its expansive bodywork needs to be in fine fettle to look its best. Fortunately, this is the case here: the panel gaps are tight and the paintwork has a deep lustre with only the leading edge of the rear arches showing any wear. This is a price that you pay for the voluptuous styling; early Aston Martin V8 Vantages often have a similar pattern of wear. Aside from that, only a very small ship by one of the rear parking sensors and a slight chip on the front badge are the only blemishes of note with the refurbished 18 inch wheels and refinished red callipers really drawing the eye. The tyres all have good tread remaining and while the brake disks at the front have a little wear, those at the rear are yet to show any. Overall, it’s a fine looking car which is both stylish and understated.

The Ferrari-sourced V8 sits well back in the engine bay, to the benefit of handling, and starts first time every time with no untoward noises. The car performs strongly, as you would expect, with a fabulous exhaust note under load which fades into the background at a cruise. Though the current owner confesses to never having really explored the on-the-limit behaviour, in everyday driving it handles well and the suspension is quiet and refined. The gearbox is exactly as the contemporary reviews stated which is to say not as smooth as a conventional automatic and best used in manual mode where the steering column-mounted paddles make it easier to use than other arrangements that have paddles which move with the steering wheel.

Remember the Lancia Thema 8.32, the much-lauded saloon car with the Ferrari engine? Whilst Lancia seemed happy to bask in the reflected glow of its closely-related engine supplier, Maserati seems to have been rather more circumspect in disclosing the origins of the thoroughbred V8 in its Quattroporte, though it does have a considerably more upmarket reputation to start with than Lancia. Whatever the reason for its concealed origins, the magnificent sounding Ferrari-sourced V8 figures high on the list of reasons to lust after this upmarket saloon.

But, unlike the Lancia, that’s not the sole attraction here. For the Quattroporte is essentially an elegant and refined grand tourer with an extra pair of doors. Comfortable and well-equipped with lavish rear seat accommodation, it’s a luxury limo when it wants to be and a sonorous sports saloon when you press the loud pedal.

Literally and figuratively a lot of car for the money, with the expensive jobs taken care of recently, this is a practical way to enjoy the guilty pleasures of a V8 before it’s too late. It that takes your fancy, then hit the bid button now.

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