by Bill Ernst

Let me start off by saying that I’m not an automobile aficionado. It’s not something I’m into, or could afford to be into. But I do love to look at luxury cars and motorcycles. I can appreciate their beauty and sleek design. But, that said, I read Seminole magazine, too. I’ve seen the ads for the Quattroporte. I’ve been into the showroom many times and have touched and even sat in a Maserati Quattroporte.

When I can afford such an automobile, I would purchase a Quattroporte Executive GT for myself. It’s a high-performance, limited-production, powerful, unique, elegant, smooth and sexy yet understated sedan. Did I say understated? It’s hard to say “understated” when a car can turn heads like this one does. But it doesn’t have the race car look of a Ferrari. This colossally cool car is a very high-end luxury vehicle—which just happens to have a 400 hp Maserati V8 engine tucked under the hood.

OK, while I may have secretly lusted after one of these beautiful automobiles, it was another matter to finally get behind the wheel of the Sport GT version. A vehicle that I had never driven before . . . a vehicle that goes 0-60 in 5.2 seconds . . . a vehicle that can reach speeds of 180 miles per hour . . . and that starts at $116,000. Did I mention that it was Friday, April 13th? And that I was quickly approaching the on-ramp to I-4 at Lee Road?

Fortunately, joining me on this little adventure was Anthony King of Central Florida Ferrari/Maserati. He had just finished showing a world-famous professional golfer—who had come in to pick up his car—how to program the radio on his Ferrari, and now King was sitting next to me advising me on how to use the paddle thingy on the steering wheel to shift gears. Actually, it’s quite easy to do, and much easier than the old-fashioned clutch on the floor and a shifter in the center console. It’s a part of the DuoSelect paddle-shift manual transmission. If you want to, hit a button and a computer does all of the shifting for you. It’s almost fully automatic, but it’s still a manual transmission. For someone like me who doesn’t know any better, I’d still say it drives like an very sporty automatic, even though I’m told it’s not one.

But there is an automatic version for people who don’t want to have to push a little button. It’s called the Quattroporte Automatic, lest you forget that you didn’t push a button. Mr. King tells me that the DuoSelect GT version is 35% faster when switching gears. He tells me that true driving enthusiasts prefer the manual automatic. He tells me that the Quattroporte DuoSelect has won more than 30 international awards. Then I discover for myself that at high engine speeds, the Quattroporte Sport GT’s exhaust system gives a deep rumble to the already sporty sound of the Maserati V8. As we head back to the dealership to trade the GT for a Quattroporte Automatic, I experience first-hand its supercar-level braking performance—let’s just say practice makes perfect.

Quattroporte Automatic
While the DuoSelect is mainly for the committed enthusiast, the Automatic is for the driver who seeks even more refinement in a supercar. This time out King and I were going to drive the car from the dealership at South Lake Destiny Drive to Colonial TownPark for some sushi at Amura. I was behind the wheel again when Anthony explained that Amura was where they ate whenever the dealership owner—Onofrio Triarsi of Classic Coach Repair in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was in town. I liked the idea, not just because the food’s excellent, but because I’d be able to enjoy a nice cruise behind the wheel.

The Quattroporte Automatic features a 6-speed automatic transmission from German specialists ZF, with the highest revving transmission in the class, and the new taller gearing that’s said to improve highway fuel economy by up to 10%. This car was a dream to drive. The seats are extremely comfortable, it rides very smoothly, and it handles well on the road. Even though it’s said to lag behind the GT, the Automatic accelerates very quickly and is quite responsive. I would be pushed back in my seat even accelerating on I-4 from 50 miles per hour.

So I guess I’m torn. King tells me that most of the new orders are for Automatics, which have proven to be quite popular. Popular in Maserati terms, that is. Maserati’s maintain an air of exclusivity. And even if you do see another, they will not be the same: The Quattroporte is totally customizable. It comes in literally millions of color and material combinations. Nine exterior paints, nine interior colors, stitching hues, woods—the list goes on. But if I had to choose, I think I’d opt for the GT, although before I took the test drive I thought I’d prefer the Automatic. The GT is still quite easy to drive, and using the paddles to shift is fun and offers more speed. But you’ll have to make your own decision.

To test drive a Quattroporte Automatic or GT, call or visit Ferrari/Maserati of Central Florida
525 S. Lake Destiny Dr., Orlando; 407.667.4300

S