What seems like a solid plank of highly polished walnut gently curves from the top of the dash down toward the front edge of the centre console, integrating Maserati's trademark analog clock plus a bevy of high quality
HVAC and infotainment switches. An ergonomically designed steering wheel sits before a compact array of primary gauges, housed under an arcing shroud that effectively shields all surfaces from sunlight's glare.
The seats, well they're an ideal blend of sumptuous comfort and driver-oriented support, bolstered amply for a day at the track, which was exactly why I had come all the way from the west coast to this particular location in la belle province, home of le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. It just so happens that the owner of this fabulous facility, which has hosted everything from Formula One and Can Am, in its past, to the American Le Mans Series since it was completely made over a number of years back, plus such renowned drivers as Andretti, Moss, Ickx, Rahal, Villeneuve, Tracy and Schumacher, the latter referring to it as "Little Nurburgring", also owns Montreal's Ferrari-Maserati dealership, and being part enthusiast, part businessman, it only made sense to open the track up for a little historic racing, a stopover for the Ferrari F360 Challenge series, plus a little fun in the sun with the 430, 612, and this lovely Quattroporte.
I've spent a fair number of days on the Tremblant circuit this year, driving Saleen Mustangs, Chrysler 300C SRT8s, Dodge Vipers, and the list goes on, plus in previous years have lapped a number of Porsches through its
chicane, around its many right angle and hairpin curves and down its straights, but I have to say the opportunity to wring out a couple of Ferraris and a Maserati on what has become my favourite North American haunt is a rare occasion.
The Ferrari-derived 4.2-litre V8 ignites with an immediacy that spoke volumes of its precise engineering, and the sweet purring from behind the firewall during idle is enough to stand the follicles on the backs of my hands on end. Like Ferrari's F1 transmission, the Quattroporte's sequential manual Cambiocorsa gearbox is actuated via large paddles directly behind the steering wheel, easily found by stretching the fingers forward and pushing or pulling to initiate up or downshifts respectively. Yes, that's a sequential manual transmission in a four-door sedan, the same system, albeit modified to be used within the Quattroporte's luxurious surroundings, as fitted to Ferrari's F430. Just for fun, name me another four-door with a paddle-shift actuated sequential manual gearbox? BMW M5? Yeah, the Quattroporte's in good company, no?
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| The seats, well they're an ideal blend of sumptuous comfort and driver-oriented support, bolstered amply for a day at the track. (Photo: Maserati) |
The seats, well they're an ideal blend of sumptuous comfort and driver-oriented support, bolstered amply for a day at the track, which was exactly why I had come all the way from the west coast to this particular location in la belle province, home of le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. It just so happens that the owner of this fabulous facility, which has hosted everything from Formula One and Can Am, in its past, to the American Le Mans Series since it was completely made over a number of years back, plus such renowned drivers as Andretti, Moss, Ickx, Rahal, Villeneuve, Tracy and Schumacher, the latter referring to it as "Little Nurburgring", also owns Montreal's Ferrari-Maserati dealership, and being part enthusiast, part businessman, it only made sense to open the track up for a little historic racing, a stopover for the Ferrari F360 Challenge series, plus a little fun in the sun with the 430, 612, and this lovely Quattroporte.
I've spent a fair number of days on the Tremblant circuit this year, driving Saleen Mustangs, Chrysler 300C SRT8s, Dodge Vipers, and the list goes on, plus in previous years have lapped a number of Porsches through its
 |
| The opportunity to wring out a couple of Ferraris and a Maserati on what has become my favourite North American haunt is a rare occasion. (Photo: Ray Watson, Canadian Auto Press) |
The Ferrari-derived 4.2-litre V8 ignites with an immediacy that spoke volumes of its precise engineering, and the sweet purring from behind the firewall during idle is enough to stand the follicles on the backs of my hands on end. Like Ferrari's F1 transmission, the Quattroporte's sequential manual Cambiocorsa gearbox is actuated via large paddles directly behind the steering wheel, easily found by stretching the fingers forward and pushing or pulling to initiate up or downshifts respectively. Yes, that's a sequential manual transmission in a four-door sedan, the same system, albeit modified to be used within the Quattroporte's luxurious surroundings, as fitted to Ferrari's F430. Just for fun, name me another four-door with a paddle-shift actuated sequential manual gearbox? BMW M5? Yeah, the Quattroporte's in good company, no?