RACE-BRED LUXURY
Maserati’s latest sedan is a hit with Hong Kong tastemakers like fashion designer Barney Cheng
Whanks to the meticulous attention to performance, luxury and aesthetics applied to its creation by Maserati, the Quattroporte GTS Gransport is a treat to drive, to ride in and to behold. It’s no surprise then that the Italian marque’s head-turning sedan, which at first glance looks like a sports car, has piqued the interest of one of Hong Kong’s most famous fashion designers, Barney Cheng, who is celebrating 25 years in couture this year.
When he recently drove the Quattroporte GTS Gransport, with its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 Ferrari engine, the level of comfort in the driving seat was one of the first things Barney noticed in the streamlined four-door Maserati.
“I expected it to be very close to the road,” Barney says, “but it’s higher than that, and it felt good to sit in. Its bucket seats aren’t restrictive, as they can be in some sports cars. In the back, there’s a surprising amount of legroom too.”
The Quattroporte GTS Gransport is catching the attention of drivers who want a sophisticated sedan that combines luxury and sportiness. The car features elegantly crafted sports leather seats, and the intuitive sports driving controls include a steering wheel with paddle gear shift, electric power steering, advanced driving assistance systems, sport foot pedals, a sleek minimalist seven-inch TFT operational dashboard, and a high-resolution 8.4-inch touch screen in the central console’s infotainment system that is fully compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone functions.
The practical driving experience is enhanced by plenty of driver and passenger space, as well as by an engine with plenty of zip. The V8 has been specifically designed to deliver notable performance with lower consumption and emissions—and boasts very high torque even at low power.
The Quattroporte exterior was another point that Barney noted. “I like the look of the front of the car—especially the headlights—which makes it look fierce. I’m a gentle driver but to have a car that looks fierce … people are more likely to give you the right of way,” he says with a laugh. “It’s about taking a little risk.”
Driving in a Maserati makes one think of glamorous road trips along the Italian coast, such as one Barney enjoyed with his family many years ago, which he says was his most memorable. “We flew into Venice and drove all the way to Rome,” he recalls. “And then we drove up the coast to Portofino, Monte Carlo and then all the way up to Paris. The roads can be a little bit hairy, but it’s very glamorous. Portofino had the most amazing horseshoe bay and there were fields of beautiful orange and red poppies all around; that was quite special.”
On his Quattroporte GTS Gransport drive in Hong Kong, Barney was all smiles too. “It’s European, and for me it conjures the dolce vita— it’s about the good life,” he says.
“The Quattroporte GTS Gransport is catching the attention of drivers who want a sophisticated sedan that combines luxury and sportiness”