With its sporty Italian design, Maserati's current Quattroporte has always been a somewhat unique and interesting alternative to default German limos like the S-Class and 7 Series.
Yet while performance and style were high on the agenda, the car was notably short on gadgets in a segment where buyers like to play with their toys. Although it's still far from matching the Germans in this regard, the newly unveiled mid-life facelift does bring some new gizmos to the party, along with a fresh look - note the redesigned front bumper - and some fancy new trims.
Tested: BMW's gadget-packed 7 Series
The new optional driver assistance package includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go traffic assist as well as Forward Collision Warning and Automated Emergency Braking. Buyers can also now opt for a Surround View Camera. No rocket science here, since many of these items can be had on much smaller and cheaper cars, but it's a step in the right direction nonetheless.
You could say the same for the cabin upgrades, which bring a new 21cm touch-screen, which can speak to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ferrari-built V8 and V6
Maserati didn't feel the need to tinker with the engines, and we're with them on that, but the electronically limited top speeds have been increased. As before you get the choice of two Ferrari-produced petrol motors - a 390kW twin-turbo V8 and 302kW twin-turbo V6 - and a 202kW/600Nm 3-litre turbodiesel. The V8 can now do 310km/h, while the V6 S petrol's top end has been increased to 286km/h and the diesel is good for 252km/h, according to Maserati, while the trio can allegedly accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7, 5.1 and 6.4 seconds respectively.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox sourced from ZF.
Topping off the upgrade are two new design trims - GranLusso and GranSport - which are standard on the V8 (you'll have to choose one of them though) and optional on the V6 models.
Both offer a long list of distinctive interior and exterior styling and trim elements, with GranLusso being more about elegance and offering things like patented silk fabrics and open pore Radica wood on the inside, while GranSport is as the name implies and comes with its fair share of glossy black bits inside and out as well as red brake calipers.
Which one are you?
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