SCARFES BAR The ‘accidental’ Duchess of Rutland opens up to

POWER 572bhp

0-62mph 4.5 seconds

TOP SPEED 202mph

ECONOMY 23.1mpg (combined)

STREAMING Jurassic Park theme – John Williams

Road Test

The Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo is an automotive dinosaur – a dying breed soon to disappear forever, says Jeremy Taylor

TOWN

‘You didn’t ask for reality, you asked for more teeth!’ Jurassic Park perfectly sums up the outrageously fast but ultimately doomed Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo – one of the fastest saloons on the planet. More T-Rex than nimble velociraptor, the Trofeo is a sporty version of the long-serving Quattroporte. Spacious and sophisticated, the monstrous roar of a twin-turbo V8 petrol engine still can’t save it from the rise of electric cars.

So, what’s the point? Well, lay a Quattroporte key next to one from BMW, Audi or Mercedes and most of us would choose the Maserati. Forget logic – the Trofeo is simply irresistible. Guzzling through fuel at a frankly alarming rate of less than 20mpg around town, this niche Maserati is more about style than function. It’s Versace on speed, beautiful to look, wonderful for making a big entrance but now feels dated – other saloons do it much, much better.

Maserati has announced its own plans for a push into electrification and will even join the all-electric Formula E series next year. A battery-powered SUV called Grecale is on the way, as well as a stunning new grand tourer but, for now, this is the company’s flagship luxury car. For sheer menace and presence, a Trofeo remains unbeatable. It’s achingly cool and a glorious reminder of the bad old days of V8 petrol madness.

COUNTRY

The handful of Quattroportes sold in this country are cheaper, V6-engined models that offer slightly improved economy for everyday driving. There’s little rhyme or reason to buy a pricey V8 Trofeo. The Maserati will cover vast motorway distances in sheer comfort but forget relaxing on a busy country A-road. All that power at the back wheels can spell disaster for the uninitiated.

Somehow that huge engine doesn’t quite work with the rest of the car – especially at low speed when the Maserati grumbles along waiting to explode. Passengers in the rear might need a sick bag and for the driver that low roof line means poor rear visibility. Most of the buttons and dials upfront feel dated and the touchscreen display has less functionality than an original iPhone. The driving position is weirdly high, the small pedals too off-set and did I mention the Quattroporte loses value faster than just about any other luxury saloon?

Thankfully, what really matters to most Trofeo owners is how the car performs. An unforgiving Italian stallion, once mastered, the Maserati is simply a thrilling steed. Not even a Bentley has this much presence. One last hurrah for the dinosaur, then.

THE DRIVE

THE DESTINATION: MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK The views across New York from a top-floor suite in the Mandarin Oriental at sunset are awe-inspiring. Floor-toceiling windows, the Hudson River in one direction, skyscrapers jostling for position in the other: London’s incredible skyline pales in comparison.

Sophisticated and elegant, this 54-floor hotel makes up the lion’s share of the Time Warner Center. Even reception is located an elevator ride up from the street-level on the 35th – ensuring every room has a view to die for.

Service and facilities are second to none. I was wowed on arrival by The Aviary bar overlooking Central Park. High ceilings add to the air of spaciousness, while the Asian-themed décor extends throughout the building.

However, my top-floor River View Suite was, quite literally, on a different level. While luxurious linen and comfy sofas are tempting resting places, I spent the first hour with my nose pressed to the glass, exploring New York from above – as well as wondering if the windows cleaners were paid danger money.

The Oriental is a discerning, grown-up yet family friendly hotel where nothing is too much trouble. However, for an equally star-spangled vista at ground level, the enormous electronic dashboard of the Mercedes EQS Night Edition I arrived here in is hard to beat.

An all-electric model, this state-of-theart saloon showcases Mercedes’ MBUX Hyperscreen, stretching door-to-door across the entire dashboard. The multiple displays merge together to offer a seamless screen measuring over four-and-a-half feet!

The silent-running cabin is packed with space-age features that require time and patience to understand. Most functions are operated via the touchscreen – a virtual personal assistant is also waiting to connect calls, report on the weather, or even tell a cheesy joke.

Luxurious, quiet and extremely spacious, the battery powered EQS will cover huge distances between charges. It’s essentially the electric version of the flagship Mercedes S-class and is one of a range of EQ electric models currently filtering onto the market.

My moody Night Edition boasted glossblack chrome detail, sport seats, upgraded stereo and a panoramic sunroof to rival my bedroom suit. Only the bland, jelly-mould exterior styling fails to impress.

Plush rooms come with unbeatable views at the Mandarin Oriental, New York

BOOK IT: Rooms from £632, suites from £1,691, mandarinoriental.com. For Mercedes luxury taxis in New York visit blacklane.com n

Mercedes AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ Night Edition

PRICE £154,995

BATTERY 108 kWh

POWER 658hp

0-62mph 3.8 seconds

RANGE 358 miles

STREAMING New York Skyline – Garland Jeffreys

IN THE BOOT

SUSTAINABLE E-SCOOTER Cool Swedish design is behind this new, steam punk-style electric scooter. Cut from lightweight, sustainable steel, few two-wheelers look this good around town. Stilride SUS1, £8,400. stilride.com

QUEEN OF SPEED Dorothy Levitt was a trailblazing lady motorist, racing driver and world record holder. Never heard of her? A new book celebrates the life of a remarkable woman. Fast Lady by Michael W Barton. (Butterfield Press, £40)

CANDID CAMERA Accidents happen and this incar dashboard camera offers real-time proof in a crash. It will also record your entire holiday road trip for nostalgia! Thinkware Q1000, £259. thinkwaredashcam.eu