My old Maserati has exceptionally large disc brakes at each wheel. Very few cars of this vintage came with four disc brakes at all, let alone as standard equipment. These brakes are superior to many modern cars, yet, I must admit, they stand humbled next to the modern Quattroporte. Its braking system features a double independent hydraulic circuit with brake-servo and Bosch 5.3 ABS, self-ventilating disc brakes on the four wheels, with large diameter (front 307 mm, rear 316 mm) and Brembo aluminum calipers in high efficiency aluminum. Whew! That's a bit more technical than they did things in '67.
Maserati has always crafted some of the most exquisite interiors on the planet and this Quattroporte is no exception. My '67 is replete with lambskin seats, mahogany dash, leather headliner and wool carpets. For its age the ergonomics aren't bad at all. Unfortunately, Italian cars have never been known for placing controls in logical positions. Fortunately for Maseratisti, this is now a thing of the past. The new Q has everything in the right place, satisfactory to any BMW driver. The instruments are clustered at the center of the driving position, while the steering wheel can now be adjusted for height, a feature that somehow evaded most Italian cars for much too long. The anatomical front seats can be electrically adjusted longitudinally and in height, with electric adjustment for seat back height and manual lumbar control. As well, rear seat passengers will be escorted in comfort as will their bags, in a leather clad trunk.
The remarkably improved automatic air temperature control system now includes nine vents. What's more, the new sound system is also vastly improved both in sound quality and in ease of use. Such attributes are common from brands such as Lexus, BMW and even Cadillac, but try to find a hand stitched seam on their leather trimmed dashboards, or hand polished briarwood accents. That's just another difference that sets the Maserati apart from its peers.