Cruise Mode: Quattroporte with a twist

18 March 2016

We don’t only feature fully modified vehicles in NZ Performance Car magazine — the mildly modified get a look in too! It doesn’t matter what it is — if you’re passionate about it, modify it, and drive it to work every day, we’ll showcase it.

Name: Vick Bhatti
Location: Auckland
Occupation: Owner/operator at Xracing Motorsport
Make/model: 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
Engine: F136, 4200cc, eight cylinder
Drivetrain: Six-speed DuoSelect
Interior: Factory
Exterior: Custom Dubai Police wrap
Suspension: Factory adjustables, custom springs
Wheels/tyres: 20×10-inch and 20×10.5-inch Advent Grade M540, (F) 235/30R20 Delinte (R) 265/30R20 Delinte

NZ Performance Car: Hi Vick, you’ve built a few Japanese cars over the years, so why the move to a Euro?

Vick: Hey guys, I have been building Japanese cars for car shows, as the Japanese car scene is much bigger here than the Euro scene. But for our family car we wanted something we could use to fit everyone in, and that looked cool parked up at car shows. We had a Chrysler 300C in the past, but when it came time to upgrade there was nothing else that stood out, and it’s not like your usual BMWs and Audis.

What model is it exactly, and why is it special?

The model is a 2006 Maserati Quattroporte. It’s fairly standard, but the reason I bought it is it has 298kW (400hp) from the factory. It takes a lot to get 298kW (400hp) from most common Japanese cars. I really like the sound of the V8 engine it has, it’s really aggressive.

That’s an interesting wrap you’ve gone for. Any trouble with the authorities?

(Laughs) no problems with the authorities. We do, however, get a lot of people asking what the wrap is. It’s actually a Dubai Police car, but has Xracing details all over it. We designed and wrapped the car ourselves, at XRacing.

What’s it like to drive when compared to a Japanese vehicle? Is there anything you’d compare it to?

Na, not really. This car is a whole different feel and level to any Japanese car I have driven, and I wouldn’t want to compare it to anything.

Do you have further plans for the Maserati, or will you leave it as it sits now?

I always have something cooking in my head, and I’m sure soon enough you’ll see something changed somewhere in the near future. But for now it will stay as it is, and I wouldn’t have got here without my family for supporting me, Tane Johnson and Tane Corloss from Outwest Tinting and Wraps, Nan Su at the Bling Company, Matt and Heino at Auto Stance, and all of my XRacing supporters.

Thanks for showing us your Maserati, Vick!

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