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I’m very proud of my mixed heritage and I take every available opportunity to remind people of my diluted Italian roots.
Some may argue it’s because I enjoy putting on a heavy Italian accent or tucking into a bowl of bolognaise … whatever the reason, my day in the Maserati Quattroporte was enough to have me muttering Mama Mia!
The Quattroporte, Italian for ‘four door’, is the essence of Italian car design with a style dedicated to proportion and purity that delivers quality in abundance.
This sixth generation model has evolved greatly from its predecessor. It looks more like a sedan for a start, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing because it’s a beautiful sedan.
The exterior is understated, I wouldn’t go as far as to say subtle, it’s still unmistakably a Maserati, but the curves have been slightly toned down.
Make no mistake about it though, this is every inch as much of an Italian stallion as the Gran Turismo Sport.
Under the bonnet of this sleek and aggressive-looking mean machine are two available engine options, a 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 and 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6. Both models use an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The direct-injection V8 delivers 530CV and up to 710Nm of torque, making the dash from 0-100kmph in 4.7 seconds and it can reach a top speed of 307kmph.
Meanwhile, the V6 twin-turbo delivers 410CV and its 550Nm is greater than the torque peak in the outgoing Quattroporte Sport GT S. It accelerates from to 0-100 in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 285kmph.
Inside is just as glamorous and the finishes are stunning. Obviously it has all the usual gadgets and creature comforts you’d associate with a luxury marque - navigation, MP3, CD player, rear camera and parking sensors etc. However, its new features set it apart.
New cabin features include Wi-Fi WLAN hotspot, 15 speakers, 1280watt Bowers and Wilkins premium surround system and many are controlled via the 8.4-inch touch screen nestled majestically in the centre stack.
The most exciting thing about driving a car like this is when you start the engine for the very first time, it’s a seductive purr that is smoother than a jazz bar pianist.
When you’re cruising in a vehicle this classy, it’s customary to have a beautiful woman in the passenger seat and luckily, with minimal persuasion, my girlfriend decided to come for a spin.
As we made our way, I was taken aback by how well this model handles. The steering is so precise and responds to the subtlest caress beautifully.
When cornering, the Quattroporte effortlessly glides like a majestic eagle on the breeze… and I’ll bet it looks cooler too!
As we hit the highway I had the chance to open up the throttle and put this model through its paces. Even at speed, this super car is almost faultlessly smooth and as a result, it’s easy to forget how fast you’re going until you glance at the electronic speedometer.
Even without the iconic trident emblem emblazoned on the front grille I still would have felt like king of the road in this car.
After some blissfully destination-less driving, we found ourselves at the Bahrain International Circuit, an ideal place for a photo opportunity.
On the drive back to Manama I made sure to soak in all the envious glances from other motorists who weren’t quite as in amore with their ride as I was.
As I dropped my girlfriend off before taking the car back to the showroom she asked me: “Can you keep it?” Sadly I can’t cara mia, but I’m making bolognaise for dinner!
For more information, call 17750750.
