The Quattroporte S that we drove has a 410 HP 3 litre twin turbo V6 engine giving 0 – 62 in 5.1 seconds. For even more accelerating fun there is a 530 HP 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 option and a madly sensible 3 litre V6 turbo diesel which produces a pounding 275 HP.
Tearing myself out of the Quattroporte, I’d almost forgotten I’d signed up for a cycle ride.
There are three lengths to choose from, 50km, 75km and 100km. All routes thread through the stunning Yorkshire landscape, which is rather hilly! If you’re not going up, you’re going down. A lady walking her dog on the first hill of the day, hidden meters from the start summed it up perfectly, “Blimey, that looks horrendous that!” I trust she was referring to the gradient and not my tortured mug.
The ride is timed for the more serious amateurs but most people seemed to just enjoy a day out cycling with friends. Encouraged along by the generous crowds and savoring the feed stops with tables laden with energy bars and warm sausage rolls.
The overall race was won by Belgian, Serge Pauwels who perfectly timed a breakaway on the final climbs to take the final stage win just in front of his team mate, Omar Fraile, giving the DImension Data team a one-two finish. Local, Lizzie Deignan thrilled the crowds, attacking in final 10 kms and managing to hold on to take the stage and overall win in the women’s race, which is the most lucrative race in women’s cycling. Maybe a new car would be a good celebration?
Including the package of extras, our Quattroporte (because, by now it had become ‘ours’!) was just shy of a fairly eye watering £100,000. But it is possible to get behind the wheel of this prestigious marque for around half that price. Alongside the Quattroporte the range now includes the Ghibli, slightly smaller than the Quattroporte and with slightly more sporty handling but still packed with the same luxury comforts. A new petrol engine is expected in the Levante soon and the Gran Turismo is eagerly expected to be joined by a variation of their Alfieri concept car in the not too distant future. After some years out in the wilderness this historic makers with its Italian flair and rich race heritage appears to back on track.
Maserati – www.maserati