The Maserati Quattroporte is a rare breed. Behind the silky, svelte 4-door layout hides an Italian sports car which yearns to be driven like one. India has now received the updated, 2019 model of the Italian limousine. As before, it is available in two trims – GranLusso and GranSport. While the former is priced at Rs 1.74 crore, the latter is Rs 5 lakh dearer (prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

For the 2019 model, Maserati has equipped the Quattroporte with a new grille, tweaked front bumper and headlamp enclosures, and new alloy wheel designs in 20 and 21 inches. The range of colour shades for the exterior has been extended as well. A total of ten colours are available including palettes like iconic Rosso Potente and the deep dark Blu Nobile.

Inside the cabin, the updated Maserati Quattroporte gets the optional full-grain Pieno Fiore leather upholstery. It is available in three colours and gets bespoke stitching on the seats and other panels. Apart from that, the gearshift lever is now more Italian in styling and the infotainment system has been updated too. The said system comes mated to a Harman Kardon sound system as standard but can optionally be coupled with a more expensive and explosive Bowers & Wilkins package. To add some extra flair to the interior, there are two new high-gloss veneers on offer.

No matter which trim you choose, you’ll get the only a single engine-transmission combination behind that gorgeous exterior. The 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel V6 engine pumps out 275PS of power and 600Nm of torque. The oomph is harnessed and fed to the rear wheels by an 8-speed automatic transmission. Don’t worry for it boasting a diesel motor as the Maserati Quattroporte also features Active Sound Tech which makes sporty noises out of the exhaust.

The Maserati Quattroporte appeals to those who want something stylish and, more importantly, something different to stand out from the crowd. Its list of rivals includes the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Panamera, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and the Jaguar XJ. Audi will soon launch the new A8 in India and that will lock horns with all those limousines.