It's an intuitive system to operate, which makes getting through the pit lane and out onto the track almost like second nature. If you're not familiar with motorsport, pit lanes are to be respected, which means a car's speed needs to be kept reasonably low, making for a good opportunity to experience how Maserati's big sedan operates at low velocities. While not identical to winding through a busy city's maze of
one-way streets in the early morning hours, the pit lane nevertheless makes it easy to feel how the Quattroporte would react during tight negotiations among the cars, trucks and minivans that make up a workday's traffic. It is light on its feet, changes lanes with an adept swiftness, and is wonderfully comfortable doing so.
But meandering through the pits isn't what I have come here to do, and the track that I've come to know so well is beckoning. Although the engine's displacement is only about two-thirds the size of the most recent V8-powered sedan I tested out on Tremblant, Chrysler's 6.1-litre 300C SRT8, it has no shortage of power. Acceleration out of the pits, on a track that immediately dives down a steep off-camber embankment with a right twist, before entering a sharp right corner that instantaneously curves to the left on a right angle, is effortless. Just to put things into perspective, the Quattroporte only needs 5.3 seconds to shoot from zero to 100 km/h, topping out at an impressive 275 km/h (177 mph). The engine spins freely too, stirring up an electrifying combination of mechanical sounds with a most satisfyingly robust bass note at the tailpipes. Again and again, quick flicks of the steering wheel mounted paddles select the exact gear needed, leaving the hands on the wheel where they're needed for optimum control.
The Quattroporte's handling is good, very good. Actually, of the three cars I've tested today, this four-door is my second favourite through tight corners, feeling lighter on its feet than the ultra-expensive Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Maybe I feel this way because I wasn't quite warmed up when I
first went out in the 612, and if I could just spend more time in its driver's seat I'd understand its dynamics better and thus, find a way to make it take to the turns as easily as the Quattroporte, but no such time is available and I'm left with a rather surprising impression.
No worries, I'm going to forget about the unreasonable and enjoy one of the best tracks in Canada in what I think might be one of the most engaging sport sedans ever built. Its agile suspension consists of a fully-independent double wishbone setup featuring Maserati's Skyhook continuously variable automatic damping system, an important element in counteracting the opposing lateral forces generated by the 1,929 kilo (4,253 lb) vehicle. Adding to the big sedan's tactility are 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/45ZR-18 front and 285/40ZR-18 rear Pirelli P Zero Rosso performance tires. The entire package is enhanced by the Italian marque's electronically controlled power steering system, MSP (Maserati Stability Program), allowing precise turn-in during high-speed activities without hampering low-speed maneuverability.
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| It is light on its feet, changes lanes with an adept swiftness, and is wonderfully comfortable doing so. (Photo: Ray Watson, Canadian Auto Press) |
But meandering through the pits isn't what I have come here to do, and the track that I've come to know so well is beckoning. Although the engine's displacement is only about two-thirds the size of the most recent V8-powered sedan I tested out on Tremblant, Chrysler's 6.1-litre 300C SRT8, it has no shortage of power. Acceleration out of the pits, on a track that immediately dives down a steep off-camber embankment with a right twist, before entering a sharp right corner that instantaneously curves to the left on a right angle, is effortless. Just to put things into perspective, the Quattroporte only needs 5.3 seconds to shoot from zero to 100 km/h, topping out at an impressive 275 km/h (177 mph). The engine spins freely too, stirring up an electrifying combination of mechanical sounds with a most satisfyingly robust bass note at the tailpipes. Again and again, quick flicks of the steering wheel mounted paddles select the exact gear needed, leaving the hands on the wheel where they're needed for optimum control.
The Quattroporte's handling is good, very good. Actually, of the three cars I've tested today, this four-door is my second favourite through tight corners, feeling lighter on its feet than the ultra-expensive Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Maybe I feel this way because I wasn't quite warmed up when I
 |
| The entire package allows precise turn-in during high-speed activities without hampering low-speed maneuverability. (Photo: Ray Watson, Canadian Auto Press) |
No worries, I'm going to forget about the unreasonable and enjoy one of the best tracks in Canada in what I think might be one of the most engaging sport sedans ever built. Its agile suspension consists of a fully-independent double wishbone setup featuring Maserati's Skyhook continuously variable automatic damping system, an important element in counteracting the opposing lateral forces generated by the 1,929 kilo (4,253 lb) vehicle. Adding to the big sedan's tactility are 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/45ZR-18 front and 285/40ZR-18 rear Pirelli P Zero Rosso performance tires. The entire package is enhanced by the Italian marque's electronically controlled power steering system, MSP (Maserati Stability Program), allowing precise turn-in during high-speed activities without hampering low-speed maneuverability.