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Gay Or Straight? A Look At The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS

 
9 4,081 views Oct 20, 2009
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Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS

HI-RES GALLERY: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS

Can cars have sexual identities? Or, perhaps more accurately, does their anthropomorphized sexuality have an effect on how we perceive them? To most awake and aware people, the answer there is a definite yes--though those very same people will often disagree in the conclusions they come to about a given car's identity. In this case, it's the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS

There's a healthy dose of humor and jest in the video below from a Vanity Fair piece by Stick Shift's Brett Berk, with Berk presenting the argument that the Quattroporte Sport GTS is a "gay car", and Motive Magazine editor-in-chief Eddie Alterman on the "straight car" side of the debate.

But beneath the humor and jest, there's a fair question at issue, and if anything, their repartee illustrates how much we project our own image onto a car. People often characterize cars as "chick cars"--the sporty Mazda Miata or the new Ferrari California, for example--or otherwise impose some sort of gender or sexual identity on them. But does it say more about the people driving the car or the people viewing it?

Both Berk's points that the Quattroporte Sport GTS is sensual, emotionally connected and refined in a way that's clearly not in line with the heterosexual archetype and Alterman's focus on the Maserati's power, prowess and rough-and-ready Sport demeanor--stereotypically heterosexual properties--reflect their conceptions of beauty and power as much as anything. And beauty and power are attributes the Maserati clearly has in spades.

So what do you see in the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS's sleek lines, refined demeanor, quality materials, and fantastically Italian powertrain? Is beauty, or automotive sexuality, an objective thing? Or is it truly in the eye of the beholder?

[Vanity Fair's Stick Shift blog]





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Comments (9)

  1. By  My Wheels On Walls Posted: 10/20/2009 1:24pm PDT

    I would of said its more Metro-Sexual.....
     
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  2. By bepsf Posted: 10/20/2009 4:28pm PDT

    If a Maserati is a "gay car" - Who do I have to blow to get one?
     
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  3. By  StickShift Posted: 10/20/2009 5:12pm PDT

    You can read the follow up piece where I actually drive the SUPER-GAY Maserati Quattroporte here:
    http://bit.ly/38SQIJ
     
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  4. By AutoBoy Posted: 10/20/2009 5:50pm PDT

    Interesting article. Think most purchases, actions, etc reflect a great deal about a person. One note, I think joining the Miata as a "chick car" is the Audi TT
     
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  5. By Jim Posted: 10/21/2009 6:39am PDT

    I like to think of cars as female, they respond when key is put in the ignition.
     
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  6. By Nicholas Posted: 10/21/2009 11:07am PDT

    If this car is "gay," then I'll have to say, I'm lovin the rim job on it...
     
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  7. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 10/21/2009 6:07pm PDT

    Hmm, this does pose an interesting question. I love the feminine curves of an Alfa Romeo 8C, but also am fond of the distinctly muscular and masculine, hard edges of the 1968-'70 Dodge Charger. Does this mean I'm bi, lol?!
     
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  8. By Josh B Posted: 10/21/2009 10:47pm PDT

    On Tuesday I was invited to drive the Masarati Grandtorismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GTS around a race track. Being a driver of an M6 and 750LI these cars had alot to live up to.
    Irespective of the fantastic and unique looks both cars have, i was astonished at how amazing they handeld! I have driven M3's and C63AMG's both of whome have the same power but the Masarati blew me away! I could honastly not belive how fast it felt, how well it took corners, and braked.
    I am yet to drive a car that is better. I had never considered a Masarati....But i have decided to sell my beloved BMW and by a Grandtorismo.
    Words can truley not explain how amazing the car is! Looks, Performace, Luxary-(Yes it really is)..
    If its a "gay" car then i envey the gay
     
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  9. By  r4ds Posted: 1/10/2010 10:05pm PST

    Hi ,
    i had just showered and put on clean underwear as well.
     
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