Maserati
Quattroporte Sport GT – driving
impressions
Trident Doping
As
if the Quattroporte was not already a dynamic car, Maserati
offers an even sportier version.
Analyzing
the car market, you won’t find a limousine that is
sportier than the current generation of the Maserati Quattroporte – not
by the sheer engine power, but by the construction concept.
Remember, the sedan with the trident logo in the grille is
the only four door
car that combines a front-mid engine with transaxle gearbox
and electro-hydraulic shifting. This limousine
masqueraded car goes into
bends like a Ferrari.
Not sporty
enough for your favorite weekend tour? Ambitions to bring your
family on the race track? Always
in search of
a special
version
for your car collection? Well, finding arguments for the
'Sport GT' is not really difficult.
First
of all, let’s have some of the
features lined up that differentiate the Sport GT from the ordinary
Quattroporte. The wheels
grew by two inches now, reaching honorable 20 inches and
the brake discs are perforated like swiss cheese. Moreover, experts
will identify
the black chromed grille with a red accentuated trident
logo, and, of course, there is a "Sport GT" writing
on the B pillar. Looking to the interior, you will recognize
carbon applications as
well as sporty pedals and a specially formed steering wheel.
The engine still provides 400 bhp but gear shifting is
now quicker and
the "Skyhook" suspension got a sportier setup.
Well,
not to feed the hopes of the cruising fraction, the Quattroporte
is still no smooth car, especially
concerning
the suspension.
On the other hand, the brakes work like a real
sports car,
activating the left pedal causes optimum values for
the stopping distance being
dictated into the test log.
Not to
forget, the Sport GT also offers a special exhaust system. But
to be honest, engine sound is not
different
from the one
provided by the normal Quattroporte, which is, of
course, not frustrating
at all as the V8 is not even trying to deny it’s
Ferrari origin.
So, the
Sport GT really tops the dynamic claim of the Quattroporte making
it only a little bit less
comfortable.
And even
more than it’s construction base, it is a
driver’s
car, so maybe the rear seats of a Sport GT will
never be used.
Text by Enrico Falchetto
Pictures by Robert May
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| Maserati
Quattroporte: the 'Sport GT' adds more dynamic to the trident
branded limousine. |
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Carbon
pattern is standard on the Sport GT, this car is equipped
with the optional applications in piano lacquer. Wood trims
are also available but not in the spirit of this edition. |
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A special
exhaust system is part of the Sport GT package. |
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| Distinctive
features of the 'Sport GT': red bars in the trident emblems,
black chromed grille, special 20 inch wheels, significant
writing on the B pillar. |
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