Maserati unveiled two new versions of the Quattroporte saloon at Frankfurt: a diesel and a 'concept' with design input from that famed maker of slinky men's suits, Ermenegildo Zegna. The diesel model uses the same 3.0-litre VM Motori-built engine that we've already seen in the smaller Ghibli saloon (and in various Chryslers and Jeeps). It's a single-turbo unit (tantalisingly leaving space in the system for a more powerful twin-turbo version) and delivers 275hp with 600Nm of torque, taking the Quattroporte to a top speed of 250km/h and pushing it from 0-100km/h in only 6.4 seconds.
Maserati's engineers have developed a sophisticated common rail direct injection fuel system for the new turbodiesel from VM Motori of Cento, near Ferrara, operating at a pressure of 2,000 bar and incorporating short dwell time injectors. The multiple sequential injections permitted by the new system mean high performance, better response and cleaner emissions. The engine is also fitted with a variable geometry turbo with ball bearings for minimum friction and turbo lag and a steel exhaust manifold with Air Gap technology for higher exhaust temperatures and higher energy gas flow. Maserati also claims that its carefully tuned and tweaked exhaust system has allowed the diesel Quattroporte to retain the rich, layered sound of a traditional Maser.
The turbodiesel Quattroporte also features stop-start, which can reduce, by up to 6%, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, depending on route and traffic intensity - according to Maserati. The stop-start system switches off the engine when the car stops and starts it again as soon as the brake pedal is released. The Quattroporte by Ermenegildo Zegna meanwhile continues to use Maserati's more expected 530hp V8 petrol engine, but has exterior styling and cabin decor befitting a car carrying the name of one of the finest clothiers in the world. The exterior uses a special paint with a gloss black undercoat and deep aluminium pigments,
Inside, Zegna has developed a special cloth with the robustness needed for a car's interior but still with the feel of a finely tailored suit. The cabin is topped off with solid aluminium ingots that remind you who had a hand in designing the cabin.
Anything else?
Maserati is also using the Frankfurt show to give its 5 Series-sized Ghibli saloon its European debut, in V6 petrol and diesel and V8 petrol forms.