Production: 1,138 cars
Production of the now very dated-looking Quattroporte III had fizzled out by the late '80s, but a replacement was some time coming. Not least because again, money was running out: in 1989, De Tomaso sold 49 percent of Maserati to Fiat in a deal that included 59 percent of the Innocenti brand he also owned; Fiat took complete ownership of Maserati in 1993. He was also forced to sell motorbike firm Moto Guzzi in order to keep the De Tomaso marque alive. Under Fiat's guidance, the "modern Maserati", Quattroporte IV, was developed - and the initial version had a Fiat-sized 2.0-litre V6, albeit with twin turbos and good for 287bhp. This engine was fitted in order to meet the significant tax incentives in Italy at the time for buying cars with engines under 2.0-litres; for export, a 2.8-litre version was produced, though this actually had a very similar power output.
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Quattroporte IV was designed by Marcello Gandini, of Lamborghini Countach fame. Built on a lengthened version of the Biturbo's platform, it was far more aerodynamic and even plusher than before, and altogether more convincing than its ageing predecessor. Not that it was without problems; 4CAR editor Gavin Conway remembers driving back the first right-hand drive production car from Modena to the UK. "It was really uncomfortable," he says, "and it over-heated all the way as the fan didn't come on in traffic. It failed to start and it had persistent electrical faults. But it did have a huge personality compared to the German saloons of the time, and it looked great, with that Gandini kink in the rear wheel arches." Teething troubles and initial glitches aside, it was well-received as a driver's car.
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The 3.2-litre V8 engine used in the Shamal coupe (336bhp) followed the smaller Quattroporte units in 1995, the 2.8 gained the 3.2's six-speed manual gearbox (auto optional) and all three versions were made in small numbers until the end of 1997 when the Modena factory closed temporarily for a complete overhaul, overseen by Ferrari, now the parent company of Maserati within the Fiat empire. A new, ultra-modern assembly line was installed to make the all-new 3200 GT - revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 1998, though it was not launched until 2001 - and Quattroporte production was also revised, though it remained hand-built. The re-launched models, which went on sale in May 1998, were badged Evoluzione 2800 and 3200 (differentiated by 'seicilindri' and 'ottocilindri' script badging on their front wings) and had been thoroughly revised; now developing 345bhp, the V8 version accelerated 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and was capable of 170mph, making it a true supercar saloon. These end-of-line cars had cramped cabins, a less-than-cosseting ride and their build quality was variable, to say the least, but then a Quattroporte never was a boring, sensible purchase.
Quattroporte V, which has just gone on sale, is a whole evoluzione further, however. This all-new, beautiful Pininfarina-designed four-door is arguably the Quattroporte's best incarnation yet, and a worthy rival to the Jaguar XJR, Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG, BMW M5 and other such rarefied top-end luxury saloons. And it's certainly not lost its character, either. Check out our detailed Road Test for the full low-down.
Quattroporte IV
V8 Evoluzione
Quattroporte V
