At the end of the 60′s last century, Maserati was financially in deep trouble and an unlikely buyer came to the rescue: Citroën. As turned out later, the Italian/French culture mix wasn’t a success. During Citroën’s ownership a lot of new models were introduced: the Bora, Merak, Khamsin and under Citroën brand the SM with a newly developed Maserati V6. On the same platform of latter car and with the same engine, the Quattroporte II was introduced at the 1974 Paris Motor Show. The already existing Frua Quattroporte II with its thirsty V8 engine was killed off, because of the oil crisis. The new Quattroporte was not everybody’s cup of tea, the Bertone design was very conventional and not really sparkling, the engine too small for the size of the car and the handling was very smooth, but not very sporty. Not surprise that the Bertone Quattroporte II wasn’t a great success. Untill 1975, probably 13 automobiles were constructed until the curtain fell for Citroën, handing over the power to none other than Alejandro de Tomaso. Under this new leadership the Bertone Quattroporte II was killed off immediately and Alejandro de Tomaso ordered the new Quattroporte III based on the platform of his own de Tomaso Deauville. Leaving the unfortunate number II behind.

Technical specification Maserati Quattroporte II by Bertone:

After almost 10 years of being absent in the market for four door sport saloons, Maserati returned with the fourth series of the Quattreporte. This time around the Quattroporte was designed by Marcello Gandini, noticably recognizable by the slanting wheel arches at the back of the car. Only one year ealier Maserati was acquired from de Tomaso by Fiat and the Quattroporte was the first Maserati to be launched. Development however started still in the de Tomaso ownership, having distinct design features from the 1992 Maserati Ghibli. The car was launched featuring two V6 Maserati engines, a 2.0 Liter and a 2.8 Liter, both with turbos (inheritance from the Biturbo era). One year later the 3.2 Liter V8 was introduced in the Quattroporte, coming from the exquisite Shamal. Only three years later the car was completely overhauled by its new owner and reintroduced as “Evoluzione”.

Technical specification Maserati Quattroporte IV:

In 1997 Fiat sold 50% of the Maserati shares to Ferrari, Maserati’s former ‘arch-enimy’. Imidiatelly after this take-over the Quattroporte IV was removed from the Maserati model range for a full makeover. Ferrari apparently replaced almost 50% of all parts and relaunched the Quattroporte as “Evoluzione”. The engines remained until the model was phased out in 2001. One of the distinct features -introduced under the de Tomaso reign- that did not survive under Ferrari ownership was the unique Cartier interior clock in each Maserati car.

Technical specification Maserati Quattroporte IV “Evoluzione”: