Fresh Maserati Quattroporte detailed

A MINOR mid-life update is on the way for Maserati’s big Quattroporte sedan bringing upgraded connectivity and safety tech, faster engines and a pair of new high-end trim grades.

Keen buyers can put their cash down at Australian Maserati dealerships from July, with deliveries of the refreshed Italian sedan range starting at the end of 2016 when pricing and specification will be announced.

Each of the engines offered under the Quattroporte’s long bonnet have been tweaked to increase their top speed. The flagship with its Ferrari-produced 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 GTS can now hit 310km/h, while the 202kW turbo-diesel V6’s terminal velocity is lifted to 252km/h.

The petrol V6 that comes in two states of tune also gives more pace, with the standard version in the Quattroporte getting an additional 15kW to bring it to 261kW and 500Nm for a 270km/h top speed, while the 301kW twin-turbo version in the Quattroporte S rises to 286km/h.

As before, each variant uses a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, includes electronically controlled Skyhook shock absorbers, features extensive use of aluminium in the chassis, body and suspension, and offers a 50:50 weight distribution, according to Maserati.

Exterior styling tweaks include a redesigned front bumper with matte black flourishes, a new “more imposing” front grille with chrome elements for a shark nose effect, as well as matte black side skirts and exterior mirrors.

The grille gets an electrically adjustable Air Shutter between the air vents and the radiator to help control the engine’s coolant temperature and improve drag by 10 per cent.

The redesigned centre stack incorporates the climate control and drawer in a single flowing design, along with a new hi-res 8.4-inch multi-touch screen.

The new infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and there are other tweaks to the dash and console design.

A new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems package that will be standard in Australia includes adaptive cruise control with idle stop, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with advanced brake assist and autonomous emergency braking, while a surround-view camera is also standard.

An air quality sensor is now standard, apparently preventing toxic and polluted air from getting into the cabin to improve occupant comfort levels.

Two new trim levels – GranLusso and GranSport – will be available as an option on all V6-powered variants, while a choice of the two will be standard on the V8-powered GTS.

GranLusso is aimed at buyers looking for more luxury and it includes exterior styling flourishes such as more chrome in the bumper, a unique lower fascia, spoiler, 20-inch Mercurio wheels and black brake callipers.

Inside it gains the Ermenegildo Zegna Edition interior with patented silk fabric on the seats, doors, headliner and sun visors, while open pore Radica wood is used on the dashboard and the insert of the leather steering wheel.

Extra features include power foot pedals, an electric rear sunblind, four-zone air-conditioning, heated rear seats and extended keyless entry.

As its name suggests, the GranSport is more sports focused, and carries design and interior cues that “reflect the legendary racing heritage of the Maserati brand”.

It too gains unique styling treatments to give it a more aggressive look, including a piano black rear spoiler, 21-inch Titano wheels, gloss black finish on the bumpers and red callipers.

Inside it gets sportier, more sculpted front and rear seats, piano black wood trim, a sport steering wheel in carbon-fibre or full leather, aluminium gearbox paddles and stainless steel sport pedals.

In Australia, the Carbon Pack is standard with the GranSport trim, adding carbon fibre external mirrors, door handles and B-pillar cover plus the profile of the front bumper.

Pricing will be revealed later in the year, but the existing Quattroporte range kicks off at $210,000 plus on-roads for the diesel and hits $331,000 for the flagship GTS V8.

The sixth-generation model went on sale in Australia in early 2014, and the company says the latest version has been delivered to more than 24,000 customers in 72 countries since its global launch.

This year, Maserati’s Australian distributor, European Automotive Imports, has recorded 38 sales of the Quattroporte to the end of May, a 65 per cent lift over the same period in 2015.

It leads the Porsche Panamera (34) and Audi A8 (30) for overall sales in the over $100,000 upper-large sedan segment, but trails the BMW 7 Series (124) and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (119).