Quattroporte diesel lands at under $200K

A new turbo-diesel variant of Maserati's flagship Quattroporte has been announced; bringing the local line-up to a starting price of less than $200,000 for the first time in this current generation.

The new Quattroporte Turbo Diesel is powered by the same VM Motori developed turbocharged 3.0 litre direct-injected V6 diesel as featured in the recently released Ghibli and represents an about face to the Fiat Chrysler owned brand, which previously eschewed diesels Down Under.

In the range-topping long-wheelbase Quattroporte, the turbo-diesel V6 is rated at 202kW and 600Nm. Maserati claims it accelerates the Quattroporte from 0-100kmh in 6.4sec, and the Latin limo rolls on to an official top speed of 250km/h.

"Turbo Diesel [model] provides the Quattroporte with a new driving experience, but one which is entirely commensurate with a Maserati," Maserati Australia general manager Glen Sealey stated in a release this morning.

What's hardly commensurate with normal Maserati practice, however, is fuel economy. The combined fuel economy stat for the new turbo-diesel four-door is 6.2L/100.

Maserati Australia expects only 10 per cent of Quattroporte buyers to opt for the turbo-diesel variant. In comparison, around two-thirds of local Quattroporte buyers choose the twin-turbo V6 Quattroporte S petrol variant. All Quattroporte models now feature a conventional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The Quattroporte Turbo Diesel is priced at $198,800 plus ORCS. In terms of specification and standard equipment it closely corresponds with the abovementioned S, which is priced at $240,000.

Features include high-spec satnav and infotainment systems via Maserati Touch Control screen, and WLAN-based WiFi. Bi-xenon lighting is standard as are 19-inch alloy wheels and all the normal luxury items you'd expect at this price. Myriad interior customisation options are also offered.

Maserati says it has specially tuned the Turbo Diesel's exhaust sound. The model differs from its petrol counterparts only in terms of standard wheel design and exhaust outlet shape.

"Clearly owning a Maserati Quattroporte Turbo Diesel is not about saving money at the fuel bowser..." said Sealey.

"The Quattroporte Turbo Diesel is about the driving experience, the effortless and muscular performance, its ability to swallow distances combined with the comfort and luxury expected of a Maserati. Given this and its ability to do so for up to 1000 km between fuel stops, the Maserati Quattroporte Turbo Diesel could be seen as the ultimate grand touring car for Australia," he opined.