Description
This 330HP 3. 2L V8 Twin Turbo Maserati Quattroporte IV is now one of the rarest modern cars in the world and a unique driving experience.
When introduced in 1997, the 170+ mph, Ghandini designed, Quattroporte IV V8 was the fastest four door car in the world. Apparently, the QP IV was originally designed for the Italian civil service as a getaway car against terrorist motorcycle attacks, featuring exceptionally wide opening rear doors for this purpose.
This one has some history, as it was the first V8 QP4 to be introduced into the UK by Meridian garage. It was the Maserati UK show car, and a test drive of it was featured on the 'Men and Motors' TV program, happily now available in perpetuity on You Tube. See: - details above
There were very few right hand drive QP4 V8 cars ever made and I believe only about 30 ever got to the UK. Almost all of them are now gone. There are possibly one or two still on UK roads besides this one.
So this this QP IV is likely to end up as being both the first and the last in the UK.
This V8 is far better than the previous V6 QP IV. The engine is epic, with really smooth strong torque exactly when you want it. It is supercar fast. Having the same engine, but being longer than the Shamal (See: - details above ) the Quattroporte rear wheels have good grip and give great handling. Very nippy around country lanes or town, and superb on the motorway. Being lightweight, compared to modern cars, it is more responsive and fun to drive. Ghandini's wedge shape pushes it to the ground at higher speeds giving unbelievable stability the faster you go.
The auto gearbox is very relaxing left in 'Drive'. There is also 'Drive Power' with shorter gear changes and 'Drive Ice' for slippery conditions. So very safe if you want it. For sporty driving, the massive torque means you just need to flick it into second for towns or back lanes, third for 'A' roads, and fourth for motorways. This is much faster than having a manual gearbox as there is no time lost in changing gear all the time and no clutch to wear out.
This engine seems high mileage but it had a full top and bottom end rebuild by Emblem about 10, 000 miles ago, with all valves replaced, so the engine is great. Emblem have been looking after the car since I got it off its second owner in 2008. Full service history. Everything needed has always been done to their usual high standards. Being essentially a simple front steer, rear drive car, with relatively few electronics, it is possible to keep it on the road forever without breaking the bank. Being light and very aerodynamic it is also very good on fuel with about 28 mpg being normal. So it is a very practical car and thus is driven regularly, which is normally much better for Maseratis than being left sitting in a garage accumulating serious storage problems. It has average mileage for its age.
Inside it has light grey Connolly leather seats and a lovely burr wood dash, making it a very uplifting place to be. I replaced the original steering wheel for a wooden Motolita wheel as the original wheel was positioned too far too forward for most people and with no adjustment. The original wheel is in store and it could be refitted anytime. Everything inside works fine (including the aircon), except the CD/ radio which is slightly crackly.
Outside, there is minimal corrosion as Emblem refurbished it and under-sealed it underneath a couple of years ago and it is still very clean.
I am selling it because I have got a Grancabrio for open air motoring. But it has to be said, that the QP4 is actually a far better designed car. When Maserati decided for the first time ever, to put a twin turbo 3. 2L V8 into a really aerodynamic, good handling, lightweight, RWD, four door car, they started a revolution in car design which, in my opinion, still has not been surpassed.
