The mission was really quite simple. Hop in the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo and cruise down to San Diego to catch some UFC fights. I never imagined that it would completely change my perception of what driving is and should be.
Under the Hood
As a regular and experienced roadtrip warrior, I’ve driven all sorts of vehicles: sports cars, luxury sedans, SUVs, trucks; across the US. I may not be an F1 or Nascar-level driver, but I certainly have a need for speed and a heavy-as-led right foot.
There’s really nothing quite like the thrill of feeling the power under the hood and zooming down the freeway, and the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo, with its 580 horsepower and 538 lb-ft torque, redefine that rush.
Taking off from Los Angeles a little later than expected, I found myself in the throes of nasty traffic on I-5 all the way to Anaheim. Sitting behind the wheel of such a powerful, slick, and stylish sports car with no real estate to kick it into high gear was already frustrating enough, but knowing that I’d now be late to my destination was downright infuriating. Fortunately, just past Disneyland, traffic cleared, and I was finally able to feel the reaches of the 3.8-liter V8 twin turbo direct injection engine. And let me tell you, the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo is the mightiest of beasts.
Going from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, the Quattroporte Trofeo instantly changed how I viewed the road. No longer was I content to just pass other cars in the left lane. With such incredible responsiveness from the ZF automatic transmission, the entire four lanes of the highway became my playground, as I navigated across multiple lanes gliding past every car in sight. It’s a totally different style of driving, full of power and confidence. That assuredness is aided by the active blind spot assist, forward collision warning, and advanced brake assist functions, which are three of the Trofeo’s many safety features that were developed during its 6-million km of testing, which featured over 90 prototypes.
At the Pump
One thing I didn’t quite account for on this trip was a brief pitstop to gas up. And while the Quattroporte can certainly make the 120-mile trip from LA to San Diego on less than a full 21-gallon tank of gas, I logged a few miles the night before acquainting myself with the vehicle and decided to pull over to top it off.
Fuel economy may not be the Quattroporte’s strongest point (it clocks 13 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway), but at the pump, I had the chance further examine the Trofeo’s masterful combination of elegance and sportiness, which has been a hallmark since Maserati first introduced the model in 1963.
Style and Substance
The sharknose-shaped hood and aerodynamic 3-D grille scream with style, as do the 21” alloy wheels and red brake calipers, while the full grain natural leather interior, 10.1” touchscreen display are the peak of luxury. The Quattroporte Trofeo also features numerous bells and whistles that improve the driving experience, like a wireless phone charging pad, three 12V electrical outlets, and USB charging port, not to mention slick accents on the exterior, like Maserati’s signature Trident logo and the Trofeo emblem on the sides, just above the air intakes.
I was not alone in my appreciation and awe of the Quattroporte’s sleek and sophisticated look. Passersby took notice, asking me about the vehicle. And, if not for time constraints, I may have even offered them a quick ride, since the long wheelbase allows for increased space in the rear seats of the ample and roomy cabin. However, time was of the essence, so I quickly got back on the road, popping the Trofeo in its Corsa mode – one of four such driving modes – which activates both of the twin engines.
Safety at High Speed
At a little under 4,000 lbs. (1,900 kg), the Quattroporte is a lightweight mix of aluminum and steel. The aluminum alloy, in particular, which comprises the front of the body, was chosen with maximum safety in mind, while the rear is made of laminated steel. The dashboard crossbar is made of ultra-light magnesium. In particular, the aluminum, which is used in most of the body panels, doors, bonnet and tailgate, ensures the lowest possible weight, which helps the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo achieve an impressive top speed of 203 mph.
Despite my need for speed, I never quite made it to 203 mph: not even close. Comfortable for short stretches at a smooth 120 mph, I felt secure and stable on the road, and never out of control. Many luxury cars will start to shake and vibrate when pushed this hard, but it was clear that the Quattroporte Trofeo was somewhere at its midrange, easily handling the rigors of the road at triple digits.
The speed also helped me make up some time on the way to San Diego, as I pulled into the Pechanga Arena to enjoy a night of UFC cage fights.
It’s not often that I have the chance to drive a car that equates to a year’s salary, and I understand that the price tag is out of reach for many consumers. But, for car aficionados with deep pockets, the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo is at least worth some consideration. It’s a piece of impeccable Italian craftsmanship and engineering and as fine a luxury sports sedan that you’ll find on the road today.
More Car Reviews and Road Trip Tales From Dan Shapiro
- 2022 Audi A3 Review: A Slick and Stylish Sedan for the City and Beyond
- 2021 Audi SQ5 Sportback Review: The Absolute Smoothest Ride Up Highway One
- 2020 Corvette Stingray Coupe Review: The Thrill of a Lifetime on Four Wheels
- 2020 Chevy Silverado Custom Trail Boss Review: The Biggest, Baddest Toy on the Road Meets the Grand Canyon
Dan Shapiro is a writer, editor, musician, and producer currently based in Los Angeles. In addition to covering some of the biggest fights in combat sports history, he’s also hunted down the world’s best sushi, skied the northern hemisphere in July, and chronicled Chinese underground music for publications like CNN, the New York Daily News, VICE, and Time Out. Dan also conjured up a ghost at the Chateau Marmont while out on assignment for RoadTrippers. Follow him on Twitter here.
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