26.05.2004 With a growing waiting list already, the new Maserati Quattroporte luxury sporting saloon made its official UK debut yesterday at the Motor Show Live

The stylish new Maserati Quattroporte super-luxury sporting saloon made its official UK debut yesterday at the Motor Show Live in Birmingham.

The single showcar, finished in Blu Sebring, look its place at the head of the Maseratis on display at the NEC, the line-up being completed by the Coupe and Spyder, the GranSport, also making its UK debut, and finally the breathtaking new GT-racing bound V12-engined MC12.

Delivery to UK customers of the Quattroporte, which received its world premiere at last September's Frankfurt IAA, began earlier month. With its sensational but refined performance, it come with a competitive on-the-road price of £69,995, which includes a built in three-year 'peace of mind' service package. 

Maserati UK expect availability of up to one hundred and fifty right hand drive Quattroporte saloons a year, and they report interest as 'very strong', with a nine month waiting list already accumulating.

UK interest has been stoked by leading men's lifestyle magazine GQ, which recently voted the new Quattroporte among the "coolest ‘objets de luxe’ on the planet" in its survey of ‘The 100 Best Things in the World Right Now'.

The Maserati comfortably beat every other car to claim 21st place in the rankings. GQ’s judges summarised the Quattroporte’s selection with the following words: "At last, an Italian assault on the luxury executive car market… superlative saloon should prove a powerful competitor… has high-spec interiors and all the expected gadgets and gizmos."

The magazine’s ‘100 Best Things’ was a splendidly diverse collection ranging from girls, gadgets and gear, to more girls, all sporting the sharpest looks of the year. Topping the list was the curvaceous moulded £825 fibreglass Hara Chair, designed by Giorgio Guridi for Kundalini.

The GQ listing also included first class hotels and restaurants, top models like cover-girl Ana Beatriz Barros, film stars, Roma’s young hot-shot goal scorer Antonio Cassano and Kylie Minogue’s latest album Body Language.

The V8-powered four-door saloon, which also recently scooped a highly presitigious 'red dot' award, has a uniquely balanced weight distribution, 47% at the front and 53% to the rear, along with class leading responsive handling. No two cars need to be identical as customers can choose from a host of exterior and interior colours, with a selection of the materials and wood options being available for inspection on the NEC stand.

A recently launched new feature is the Lifestyle Service, now available to all Quattroporte owners. A dedicated consultant is available 24/7, by phone, fax or e-mail, to provide a tailor made service, bringing Italian style to customers worldwide. The finest Italian products, including clothes, perfumes, wines and foods are just a phone call away.

Owners will also be able to book tickets, make hotel and travel reservations and receive information on various subjects, including currency exchange rates, passports and visas, weather forecasts, art exhibitions, concerts, sporting events and fashion shows.