Maserati Quattroporte, shown but owned

Maserati Quattroporte, shown but owned

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

In the onslaught of car makers releasing so-called "cheap cars"
-- priced under or around Rp 100 million -- the presence of a new
premium car gives a different take on the automotive industry in
this country.

It is a drastic shift from car for the masses to car for the
(extremely) privileged, especially when the car in question is a
Maserati, here in Indonesia.

This wide-eyed effect, accompanied by the hush of held
breathwas exactly what transpired last Thursday, when PT Citra
Langgeng Otomotif introduced the Maserati Quattroporte at the
Jakarta Convention Center.

It seemed the company, which also distributes Ferrari locally,
could not have picked a better timing for the launch, which
coincided with an event called the Bazaar Fashion Concerto.
However, it was no wonder, as these two different events were
hosted by businesses belonging to the MRA group of companies.

The venue suited the launch well -- too well, actually, as
many automotive journalists were directed to the fashion
extravaganza instead of to the hidden corner where the Maserati
flagship was on exhibit.

Whether the corner spot was intentional or not, the car in it
was a beauty, designed by Pininfarina, the same designers of the
first Maserati road cars in the late 1940s.

This Italian pride could be yours -- if you are ready to spend
US$235,000 plus a documentation fee of Rp 275 million ($30,555)
-- with an emphasis on "could", as the five Maserati Quattroporte
allotted for Indonesia this year have already been sold.

"Next year, we have a bigger allocation of 10 cars, but we
already have people waiting for them," Citra Langgeng Otomotif
managing director John A. Junir said.

As an afterthought, he added, "Well, this is not a mass
production car, but a limited brand."

Citra sales and marketing manager Arie Christopher said 24
Maserati of all models available since 2001, when the company
started operations, were zooming around the country.

"We cannot tell you who the owners are. It is confidential.
But I can tell you that there are Maseratis in Bandung, Semarang
and Surabaya," he said.

Arie said Quattroporte owners tended to drive the saloon on a
daily basis, unlike the Coupe or GranSport.

Among possible competitors to the Quattroporte are the BMW 745
and the Mercedes Benz S430, although the German models had a
different approach than the Italian machine.

Powered by a normally aspirated 4,244 cc, 90-degree V8 engine
-- a new generation of engine chosen specially for the
Quattroporte -- the saloon can accelerate from 0 to 100
kilometers per hour (kph) in just 5.2 seconds, and has a top
speed of 275 kph.

The 183-kilogram engine unleashes a maximum 400 horsepower
(hp) at 7,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a maximum torque
of 451 Newton-meter at 4,500 rpm with 75% of torque delivered at
just 2,500 rpm.

Such great speed requires the most advanced safety features,
and passengers can sit in the backseat with peace of mind,
knowing that the Quattroporte has exceeded even the most rigorous
American crash test standards.

Passive safety features include two-stage air bags installed
in the front and sides, as well as seat belts with load limiters
and pretensioners.

The premium car offers four specifications that can be
personalized: color choice, on-board electronics, interior trim
and comfort.

So, the next time you see a car with a trident logo, take a
good long look as it passes by and disappears over the horizon --
it is not a car for everyone.