MASERATIQuattroporte V 2003 - 2012

　　The fifth generation of the Maserati Quattroporte was unveiled in 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was a two-year gap after the last, fourth generation, Quattroporte rolled out from the factory.

　　The wait worth it. The new sport-executive car was not only faster, but it looked way better. Its predecessor was designed in the '90s and it was outdated. The 2003 Quattroporte had the four-door configuration from Maserati and an engine designed by Ferrari.

　　The flowing, aerodynamic, shape of the Quattroporte was designed by Ken Okuyama at the Pininfarina studio. Its big and low grille, small headlights, and raked A-pillars mimicked a sports car. The three vents on the front fenders and curved beltline confirmed the car's appeal for sport. The small, triangular, taillights were designed with the U.S. market in mind, where the brake-lights had to be mounted on a fixed body panel. There was no light on the trunk lid.

　　Inside, the Quattroporte featured a luxurious interior, with leather seats, wood trim on the dashboard, and the center stack. The infotainment unit was not that big as it was used for other premium car-makers from that time. The steering wheel featured several buttons for various functions. The comfortable front seats and the rear profiled bench were designed for comfort, not for sporty driving.

　　Under the hood, the Quattroporte was offered with only one engine option, a 4.2-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine. It was mated as standard to a 6-speed manual, while a 6-speed automatic was on the options list. In that segment, the manual gearbox was not that common anymore.

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