The engineers at Maserati apparently like what they have when it comes to the 2013 Quattroporte. The 2013 model remains virtually unchanged from its predecessor, with the exception of adding slight horsepower upgrades to the V8 engine found in the S and Sport GT S trims. Maserati feels it has a full-throttle champ when it comes to competing against the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Buyers seem to agree, as Maserati sales are up over the previous two years in the U.S. and Canada, including those for the Quattroporte. The 2013 Maserati Quattroporte, a 5-seat luxury sedan, is available in three trims: Base, S and Sport GT S. All come with a 4.7-liter DOHC V8 engine. The Base's version of this V8 makes 400 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, the S's makes 440 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, and the Sport GT S's reaches 450 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Each rear-wheel-drive Quattroporte comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission—with manual shift paddles on the steering column—and is estimated by the EPA to achieve 12 mpg city/18 highway on regular gasoline. Each trim of the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte comes factory equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, a steering column with power, height and reach adjustment, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating surfaces, electronic 14-way front bucket seats, a rear window defogger, an 11-speaker Bose AM/FM Surround Sound audio system with satellite radio and single in-dash CD player, heated and power-folding auto-dimming exterior mirrors, and bi-xenon HID headlights. The Base trim comes with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, the S trim with 19-inch V-style aluminum alloy wheels, and the Sport GT S with 20-inch silver multi-trident aluminum alloy wheels. Optional equipment includes a power sunroof, heated and cooled front bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather headliner, heated rear seats and front parking sensors. Several packages are available across all trim levels. New owners of the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte praise the responsiveness of the sedan’s steering, in spite of how much the car weighs (4,400 pounds). They also note how responsive the V8 engine is, giving it the feel of a sports car disguised as a full-size luxury car. Safety and security features abound on the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte. Safety features include 8 airbags—dual-stage front airbags, 4 window airbags, and 2 front side-impact airbags—as well as Brembo 4-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, engine torque control, rear parking sensors, tire-sealing compound, fog lights, daytime running lights, and an optional tire pressure monitoring system. Security features include an electronic engine immobilizer and perimeter and volumetric-sensing alarm system. Industry rumors indicate that changes are ahead for the Quattroporte in 2014, as the luxury sedan is expected to move to an entirely new rear-wheel-drive platform using lightweight aluminum to alleviate the vehicle weight. Exterior styling cues are also expected to be overhauled, aligning the design closer to Maserati’s GranTurismo. Other changes to look for include the possibility of both a turbocharged V8 engine and a supercharged V6 being made available for the Quattroporte, both mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2014 Quattroporte is expected to make its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. In the meantime, the 4-door 2013 Quattroporte embodies the best that the Italian automaker offers in power, luxury and dependability.