This week marks the 60th anniversary of the Maserati Quattroporte. Originally unveiled on October 30th 1963 at the Turin Motor Show, over 75,000 models have gone on to be produced in its six decades of history.

When it was originally unveiled, the Quattroporte garnered critical acclaim as a pioneering car and has been reinvented in subsequent decades incorporating technical developments and innovation, whilst sticking to the original brief - to be a luxury sports saloon. Maserati’s engineers, mechanics, test drivers and designers have all played their part over the years, taking it from initial drawings to the road.

The first generation Quattroporte featured an 8-cylinder racing-derived engine, however, its elegant design and classy interior gave it the best of both worlds as a “limousine with a racing spirit”. Capable of an impressive top speed of 142mph, it paved the way for much of Maserati’s future cars like the Bertone, Giugiaro, Gandini and Pininfarina, models which define the Modena-based company’s brand.

After the second generation Quattroporte was received less favourably, the Quattroporte III - designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro - was a resounding success thanks to the expertise of manufacturers De Tomaso Automobili, returning to rear-wheel drive with a Maserati V8 engine. Subsequent Quattroportes have been released over the years, including the multi-award winning 2003 version, up until the sixth and current generation which was made public in 2013. Throughout each release, even with changes in Maserati’s corporate structure and personnel, the ethos and exclusivity of the Quattroporte has always remained the same.

Seen in the background of more than 60 films and a permanent fixture in many garages around the world, the Quattroporte is a mainstay of the automotive industry and its story continues to be written, sixty years later.

Davide Grasso, Maserati CEO: “Quattroporte is Maserati's history. A car that tells our story and has prestigiously represented us in the world of saloon cars, for over half a century. It’s a source of pride for us and an acknowledgement of the distinctively Italian character that Maserati has always aimed to export around the world with its creations. Now as before, Quattroporte remains our flagship, synonymous with a unique luxury. It’s appreciated for its refinement, attention to detail, superior performance, quality, and enveloping spaciousness – all of this combined with its timeless stylistic touch – has made Quattroporte eternal.”

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Maserati