Maserati adds diesel to Quattroporte range

MASERATI has lowered the entry price of the Quattroporte by $41,200, with the arrival of the first diesel-powered variant in the Italian brand's sports-luxury cruiser range, which now starts at $198,800, plus on-road costs.

The new Turbo Diesel variant is the first Quattroporte that has slipped below the $200,000 mark since the IV fourth-generation version in 1999, which sold from $189,000. It is also the first time it has been offered with an oil-burning powertrain.

The diesel will act as the entry point to the Quattoporte range, which includes the range-topping V8 GTS that arrived in January $319,800 and the V6 S that launched locally in April from $240,000 excluding on-roads.

Maserati has clear rivals in the diesel performance sedan category, including the Porsche Panamera 3.0 diesel that starts at $196,700, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe 640d from $184,800, the Audi A7 3.0 Biturbo quattro at $149,600 and further down the pricing scale is the Mercedes-Benz CLS250 CDI from $114,900.

The Quattroporte diesel competes with the smaller, BMW 5 Series-sized Ghibli, which uses the identical VM Motori developed 3.0-litre V6 matched to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission but is priced around $60,000 cheaper at $138,900.

Under the bonnet of the Quattroporte, the turbocharged engine produces the same 202kW of power and 600Nm of torque as its smaller sibling.

That output is enough to push the 1885kg sedan from zero to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 250km/h - just 0.1 second off the mark of the 50kg lighter Ghibli.

Its 0-100km/h sprint time lags behind some of its diesel-powered rivals such as the BMW 640d which can cover the distance in 5.4 seconds, as well as the Porsche Panamera (6.0 seconds) and the Audi A7 TDI (6.3 seconds).

The Turbo Diesel is the most frugal Quattroporte yet, with an official combined fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres – a significant improvement over the 301kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 S petrol variant, which uses 10.4L/100km.

When compared to its rivals however, the Quattroporte is more efficient than the Panamera (6.4L), but is slightly thirstier than the BMW (5.7L) and Audi (6.0L).

Maserati's local importer, European Automotive Imports says the only difference in the look of the diesel when compared to its petrol-powered twins is the shape of the exhaust pipes and slightly smaller 19-inch wheels, compared with the 20-inch hoops on the V8 GTS.

The specification mirrors that of the Quattroporte S, although the diesel misses out on the optional coloured brake calipers and a sunroof, which is standard in the S and an option for the oil-burner.

Standard fare includes fine leather steering wheel with cruise control and voice and audio controls, ambient lighting, auto-dimming mirror, heated and electrically adjustable front seats with memory, rear side door sunshades, USB and auxiliary connections, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth audio and phone, 8.4-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and a 10-speaker premium audio system.

Maserati Australia and New Zealand general manager Glen Sealey said the diesel version of the Quattroporte was abouta blend of performance and fuel efficiency, and that the new variant would be welcomed by local buyers.

“Clearly owning a Maserati Quattroporte Turbo Diesel is not about saving money at the fuel bowser, although it does offer this benefit, along with entering this unique Maserati world for less than $200,000,” he said.

“The Quattroporte Turbo Diesel is about the driving experience, the effortless and muscular performance, its ability swallow distances combined with the comfort and luxury expected of a Maserati. Given this and its ability to do so for up to 1000 km between fuel stops, the Maserati Quattroporte Turbo Diesel could be seen as the ultimate grand touring car for Australia.”2014 Maserati Quattroporte pricing*

GTS	$319,800
S	$240,000
Turbo Diesel	$198,800

*Excludes on-road costs.