The Maserati Quattroporte — Italian for “four doors” — has been Maserati’s luxury sports sedan since 1963. The first Quattroporte, designed by Pietro Frua, was among the fastest four-door cars in the world, combining a racing-derived V8 with room for four. Across six generations, the Quattroporte has served as an Italian state car, gained a Ferrari-built V8 and designs by Giugiaro and Pininfarina, and defined the idea of the Italian luxury sedan.

At a glance

Generation Years Notes
I 1963–1969 Frua design; V8
II 1974–1978 Front-wheel drive, Citroën era; very rare
III 1979–1990 Giugiaro design; Italian presidential car
IV 1994–2001 Compact, twin-turbo V6 and V8
V 2003–2012 Pininfarina design; Ferrari-derived V8
VI 2013–mid-2020s Larger, V6 and V8

The first sports sedan

In 1963, a four-door car with a racing-derived V8 and a top speed around 140 mph was extraordinary. The Quattroporte offered Maserati performance to buyers who needed rear seats, and it attracted royalty and celebrities.

The presidential Quattroporte

The Giugiaro-designed Quattroporte III was used by Italian presidents, and later generations continued to serve Italian officials. Its angular, formal design fit the role.

The Pininfarina Quattroporte

The fifth generation (2003), designed at Pininfarina, is often considered the most beautiful. It used a V8 derived from Ferrari engines — Maserati was then part of the Ferrari group — and brought the Quattroporte back into the spotlight.

The modern era

The sixth generation grew larger to compete with the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series, offering V6 and V8 engines. Maserati, now part of Stellantis, has signaled a future electric Quattroporte.

Italian luxury vs German luxury

The Quattroporte has always emphasized style, engine sound and driving pleasure over the rear-seat technology of German flagships. It is a car for owners who love to drive. For a rear-seat-first car, see the best cars for rear-seat passengers.