History of the Maserati Quattroporte

For almost half a century, the Maserati Quattroporte has been a cornerstone of the full-size luxury sedan market. With over six production generations worth of tweaks and redesigns, the Quattroporte has a rich and interesting history that showcases the best of Italian automotive engineering and design. Continue reading to learn more about this iconic luxury car. 

Learn about current Maserati models:
2022 Maserati Ghibli
2022 Maserati Trofeo Collection
Maserati Fuoriserie

Origin of the Quattroporte Name

Although Maserati is known for naming many of their vehicles after famous winds, the Maserati Quattroporte does not fall under this naming convention. The name Quattroporte is an Italian term that translates to “four-doors” in English. This straightforward name easily communicates the design philosophy behind the Quattroporte: To create a luxury car that can comfortably accommodate two rows of people. 

The First Quattroporte Series 

The Maserati Quattroporte made its debut for the 1963 model year, after the Maserati Gran Turismo found success in the automotive world. The automaker wanted to design a four-door car that outperformed the other luxury options available at the time. To achieve this, the designers of the Quattroporte decided to use a sheet metal monocoque structure with box-section rails, rather than a more traditional body structure. 

Equipped with a specialized frame and a powerful, 4.2-litre V8 engine, the Maserati Quattroporte was able to achieve greater performance numbers than the four-door luxury sedans that came before it. Only seven models were produced, one of which was sold to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. 

The Quattroporte II & III  

The Quattroporte II is one of the lesser-known members of the Quattroporte family. The second generation of Quattroporte vehicles was developed during Citroën’s ownership of Maserati, and was controversial among Maserati enthusiasts due to its many similarities to the Citroën SM. Twelve Quattroporte II units were made, all of which were sold to the Middle East. 

The Quattroporte III was a massive departure from its predecessor, and was intentionally designed to exclude the Citroën technology found in the Quattroporte II. The body, which received much praise, was designed by famous Italian automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Quattroporte III was an instant success, enjoying a long production run from 1979 to 1990. 

The Modern Quattroporte

The Maserati Quattroporte is currently in its six production generation, which began in 2013. The modern Quattroporte sports a 3,171-millimetre wheelbase, making it the largest Quattroporte model to date. This was done to set it apart from the Maserati Ghibli, which also made its debut for the 2013 model year. 

Learn More About the Modern Maserati Quattroporte 

Maserati continues to push the limits of luxury automotive design to this day. The latest iteration of the Quattroporte is available for purchase at Maserati of London, located at 980 Wharncliffe Road S. Unit #2 in London, Ontario. Drivers can explore our inventory of new Maserati vehicles right here on our website. Have any questions for our team of Maserati vehicle experts? Give us a call at (833) 511 – 1020 to speak with a Maserati of London team member, today.