How driving the Maserati Quattroporte diesel felt sensible in exalted company

This is not a 'dream drive' as such. Well, it is less of a dream drive than the Ferrari and Bentleys I've reviewed here these past two weeks.

The Maserati Quattroporte V6 twin turbo diesel engine is at the lower, lower (I mean the repetition) of the fantasy price scale.

And as such it is a competitor for cars we know at the upper end of the executive/luxury league down here.

They include the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ and Lexus LS.

The Maserati costs from €119,000. Its performance figures are impressive enough for a V6 diesel, I must say.

The 2,987cc slips to 100kmh in 6.4 seconds and develops 275bhp.

And with emissions of 163g/km your road tax will be €570.

Clichéd and all as it is, but you would never suspect this of being a diesel.

They have the exhaust tuned so it sounds, well it sounds like a high-octane Maserati.

They have even managed to build in a little 'petrol' rasp when you floor it or lift off quickly.

Extraordinary what they can do with the whole area of exhaust sound these days.

Anyway, while I'm at the heresy I suppose I might as well continue by asking the question: why would you buy one?

Especially when you have a choice from some of the biggest names in the business.

For example the Mercedes S-Class, laden with technology, is regarded, with some justification as being one of the best cars in the world. The Jaguar XJ is certainly among the most luxurious. The BMW 7-series is agile, pacey and has always been a leader in that area.

The Audi A8 is packed with technology, hugely roomy and has a mighty impressive interior.

And the Lexus LS remains one of the most technically gifted, if totally understated, cars on the road. We don't see too many unfortunately. So each of the Maserati's so-called rivals has its specific claim to fame.

I would say this, however, the longer wheelbase Quattroporte easily outstretches the S-Class in terms of cabin room.

Especially at the back where it is copious and comfortable. I have previously criticised the S-Class for being tight enough on space - relatively speaking of course.

And while all the others can adequately state their own cases, the fact that this is a Maserati, I suppose, makes it that little bit 'different'.

Is that heresy?