Having driven the Maserati Coupe and Spyder, most of the 2005 Quattroporte’s controls and systems were familiar to us. So it didn’t take long to get acclimated, and then it was off to northern California’s serpentine coastal roads to give the Quattroporte it a chance to run at its limits.

The Quattroporte’s bulk disappears when exercising its capabilities on the open road. While it offers an expansive and accommodating passenger compartment, the Quattroporte handles like a much smaller sports sedan thanks to its potent V8 engine combined with the six-speed transmission and the Skyhook suspension system. And once you’re familiar with the shifter paddles, the Quattroporte’s responsiveness and power are clearly evident.

The best way to become fluent with the paddle shifters is through practice. And because the paddle shifters operate through an automatic clutch that is connected to a real manual transmission, the Quattroporte delivers a genuine sports sedan feel. The positive upshifts and downshifts gave us the control we wanted and needed when pushing through quick turns.

Maserati’s Skyhook suspension system contributes to a neutral handling character. Through electronic sensors, the Skyhook suspension tracks the Quattroporte’s motion, monitoring acceleration, braking and driving conditions, then adjusting for ride control when cruising and handling when quick, fast turns are detected. Drive easy and you get the luxury version – more aggressive driving nets a firmer setting.

As we pushed the Quattroporte along winding roads, the car reacted to our every request with astonishing responsiveness thanks to the merit of the Skyhook system. Not once did the car throw us into an unexpected predicament. And the superior handling does not come at the sacrifice of ride comfort – after all this is a luxury sedan. With the help of the Skyhook suspension’s “sport” button, the driver has control over how the dampers react, as well as how a number of other systems respond to driver inputs and road conditions. The sport mode also increases the stability control’s threshold of engagement so that it doesn’t spoil spirited driving.

The zenith of our test drive came when we entered into a friendly little contest with a new BMW 7 Series that appeared in the Quattroporte’s rear view mirror. Challenge accepted, the Quattroporte thundered down the highway, and as the BMW grew smaller in our mirrors we became quite thrilled by this excellent Maserati sedan. Suffice it to say that when we came to a refreshment stop, overlooking the Pacific Ocean’s crashing waves, the BMW driver came over (once he caught up) to find out what had just humiliated him. He was shocked to discover it was the Maserati Quattroporte that just ran away from him on the twisty back country road, though we’re not sure if his surprised reaction came because it is such a rare automobile or that an Italian sedan embarrassed him.