The Maserati Quattroporte, a suave sporting limousine, has come to the end of its production after 11 years. Despite hopes for a tenfold rise in annual sales to 50,000, Maserati fell short, with the Quattroporte consistently being outsold by the BMW 7 Series. The car’s high prices and failure to keep up with updates are to blame for its lackluster performance. However, Maserati should count its blessings, considering the fate of the second-generation Quattroporte, of which only 13 examples were ever built.
The original Quattroporte, introduced in 1961, set the standard for cars of its kind. It featured rear-wheel drive, a powerful V8 engine, and a balance of comfort and athleticism. It was a success, with almost 800 units sold, even though the luxury car market was small at the time.
The development of a replacement for the original Quattroporte began when Maserati entered a joint venture with Citroën. The two cars, the Quattroporte and the Citroën SM, shared the same chassis, 3.0-liter V6 engine, and hydropneumatic suspension. The Quattroporte’s design responsibility shifted from Pietro Frua to Marcello Gandini of Bertone.
When the second-generation Quattroporte made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 1974, it faced some criticism due to its all-Citroën running gear. Autocar speculated that it may have been originally intended as a four-door SM. However, they believed it would still be a luxurious and comfortable long-distance touring car.
Unfortunately, Citroën’s financial struggles led to the suspension of Maserati’s operations in 1975. The company had incurred a significant loss, and the sudden 1973 oil crisis made selling uneconomical cars nearly impossible. As a result, Maserati’s plans for a Rolls-Royce-rivaling limousine with a bespoke 5.5-liter flat 12 engine were abandoned.
Fortunately, Maserati received a lifeline when the Italian government and fellow Modena marque De Tomaso stepped in. Production of the Quattroporte resumed in 1976, albeit in limited quantities. Despite criticism from De Tomaso himself about the car’s weight, small engine, and suspension issues, Maserati pushed forward.
The second-generation Quattroporte never gained type approval for sale in the European Economic Community (EEC). Instead, they focused on fulfilling orders from the Middle East, South America, and Spain. The immediate priorities for Maserati were their super-coupés, the Bora, Merak, and Khamsin, as well as the new De Tomaso-based Kyalami GT.
Unfortunately, there are no reviews of the second-generation Quattroporte available, so it is unclear how it compared to its French cousin, the Citroën SM. Only a handful of survivors remain, scattered across Belgium, France, and Germany.
Although the Mk6 Quattroporte may not have met sales expectations, it still holds a special place in automotive history. It built upon the success of the original Quattroporte and showcased Maserati’s dedication to luxury and performance. While the Quattroporte’s production may have come to an end, its legacy lives on in the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide.