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124-525: The car was designed by Pierangelo Andreani, Chief of Centro Stile Maserati up to 1981, somewhat influenced by the design of the then recent Quattroporte III (penned by Italdesign Giugiaro ). All Maserati models introduced from the Biturbo's inception in 1981, until 1997, were based on variants of the original Biturbo architecture, including the later grand tourers like the Shamal and Ghibli II , as well as

248-859: A 2.8 L V6 engine. The carbureted 2.5 L engine was rated at 185 hp (138 kW) and 282 N⋅m (208 lb⋅ft) of torque in North American specification and 192 PS (141 kW) and 298 N⋅m (220 lb⋅ft) of torque in European specification. In 1984 and 1985, the 2.5 L V6 models utilised a single Weber DCNVH carburetor under a smooth aluminum alloy plenum fed by twin IHI turbo chargers (one per bank of cylinders). Maserati, U.S. dealers, and sports car enthusiasts began experimenting with intercoolers for which many variants were fitted and mutually endorsed by Maserati. Intercoolers included air-to-air (two variants: top mounted assembly which

372-551: A 3.2-litre twin-turbocharged V8 Quattroporte was added to the range in 1996: the new AM578 engine, an evolution of the Shamal V8, generated a maximum power output of 335 PS (247 kW; 330 hp). The top speed was claimed to be 270 km/h (168 mph). At the same time, some minor updates were introduced on all models: new eight-spoke alloy wheels and aerodynamic wing mirrors , and seicilindri or ottocilindri (Italian for "six" and "eight-cylinders" respectively) badges on

496-518: A 50% controlling stake in Maserati S.p.A.. Ferrari immediately undertook a renewal of Maserati's dated production facilities, as well as made improvements to the manufacturing methods and quality control. The steps taken by the new parent company resulted in the improved Quattroporte Evoluzione which was introduced at the March 1998 Geneva Motor Show . It featured 400 all-new or modified parts out of

620-624: A 65 cm longer limousine version, fully equipped with white leather, "abundant burr walnut", mini-bar, video cassette player and many other necessities. The price of the Diomante limousine at its introduction in 1986 was 210 million lire . The fourth generation of the Quattroporte ( Tipo AM337 ) was manufactured from 1994 to 2001 and was the first car to be produced under the Fiat ownership after Alejandro de Tomaso sold his entire holding to

744-514: A V8 engine, but the Tipo 107 V8 engine was too large for the Citroën SM based chassis on top of being too obsolete. A prototype for a 4.0-litre V8 engine was built from two compact Citroën-Maserati V6 engines. Maserati cut through the rear cylinders in half on one block (2.5 cylinders per bank, discarding the rear) and the middle cylinders in half on another block (1.5 cylinders per bank, discarding

868-566: A car manufacturer, De Tomaso presented the Maserati Royale in Modena, a built-to-order, ultra-luxury version of the Quattroporte. It featured a higher compression 4.9-litre V8 engine, generating a maximum power output of 300 PS (221 kW; 296 bhp). Besides the usual leather upholstery and veneer trim, the car featured a revised dashboard with an analogue clock, four electrically adjustable seats , retractable veneered tables in

992-559: A convex front grille with vertical bars instead of horizontal, new headlights and tail lights with directional bi-xenon main beams and LED turn signals . Inside there was a new navigation and entertainment system. All Quattroporte models now used the ZF automatic transmission, with the DuoSelect being discontinued. The 4.2-litre Quattroporte featured single-rate damping comfort-tuned suspension and 18 inch wheels. Debuting alongside

1116-408: A four-valve head upgrade. The Maserati 228 was a two-door, 5-seater GT coupé based on the Biturbo chassis. It was conceived to be a more luxurious offering than that earlier of the Biturbo lineup, and was therefore aimed at the same market of the large GTs of the past like the 3500 GT and Mexico . To accomplish this, it was based on the longer 2,600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase chassis of

1240-401: A maximum power output of 284 PS (209 kW; 280 hp) and allowing the car to attain a claimed top speed of 255 km/h (158 mph). As local taxation strongly penalised cars over two-litre in displacement, Italian buyers were offered a 2.0 L version, which developed a little more power (287 PS or 211 kW) but less torque than the 2.8-litre version; on the home market,

1364-524: A maximum power output of 440 PS (324 kW; 434 hp), ten more than the Quattroporte S, owing to a revised intake and a sport exhaust system with electronically actuated bypass valves. Other mechanical changes were made to the suspension system, where the Sport GT S single-rate dampers took place of the Skyhook system, ride height was further lowered and stiffer springs were adopted. The exterior

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1488-501: A new dashboard. Two years later, a two-litre version of the 425, the 420 (1985–86), was added for the domestic market, together with the more powerful 420 S . The 420 S sported improved handling, the twin intercooled engine and the same aesthetic accoutrements of the Biturbo S: dark finish trim, two-tone paint, two-tone wheels and NACA ducts on the bonnet, delivering fresh air to the intercoolers. Like their two-door siblings in 1986,

1612-429: A reduction in unsprung weight . As the anti-roll bar is required to control wheel position, the bars of a MacPherson strut suspension may be connected through ball joints. However many later "MacPherson strut" suspensions have reverted to using wishbones rather than the simplified track control arm of the original design. Various methods of decoupling the anti-roll bar have been proposed. The first production car to use

1736-492: A reputation for poor quality and reliability. De Tomaso used another of his companies, Innocenti , to produce body panels of the car and also to provide final assembly. De Tomaso later sold Maserati to Fiat when he suffered losses, who grouped the company with their erstwhile rival Ferrari . The Biturbo is ranked number 28 in the BBC book Crap Cars, and in 2007 it was selected as Time 's worst car of 1984, although they ranked

1860-453: A semi-active anti-roll bar was the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg. The 16-valve turbo model's "Dual Mode Suspension" has a dashboard- operated hydraulic actuator built into the front anti-roll bar link, allowing it to toggle between sport and touring modes. The Jeep Wrangler (JK, JL) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) also have a switchable decoupler on Rubicon models, to increase wheel articulation for off-roading. The first active anti-roll bar system

1984-622: A specific output of 142.5 PS/L. The torque is 374 N⋅m (276 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm. This engine was given the designation AM 490 in the Maserati engine reference book. The engine was made compatible with lead-free gasoline. Induction consists of two IHI water-cooled turbochargers with two air-to-air intercoolers. Changes from the 2.24v's engine include a new, lighter crankshaft, new exhaust valves (sodium filled for improved heat dissipation), new combustion chambers, new lighter connecting rods, new lighter forged aluminium pistons, and new IHI turbochargers. Performance stats Two years after

2108-452: A sports car that would be more affordable, replacing the higher-priced models that had traditionally made up the Maserati range, such as the Bora and Khamsin which were developed under Citroën ownership. The Biturbo was initially a strong seller and brought Italian prestige to a wide audience, with sales of about 40,000 units. Sales figures fell in subsequent years, as the Biturbo developed

2232-479: A total 800 main components. Powertrains and performance remained unvaried, save for the adoption of the same BTR transmission from the 3.2 V8 for the automatic 2.8 V6 model. The Evoluzione no longer had the oval Maserati clock on the dashboard and had redesigned wing mirrors. Ferrari management decided to drop the 2.0 L V6 from the Evoluzione lineup, when they were offered alongside the new 3200 GT , and so

2356-462: A waist coachline, matched to Cuoio tan tufted leather upholstery and Wengé trim inlaid with mother of pearl . Standard equipment comprised most of the available infotainment options. The facelift Quattroporte débuted at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show . Overseen by Pininfarina, the facelift featured redesigned bumpers, side sills and wing mirrors (the latter carried over from the GranTurismo),

2480-491: Is a common form of strut suspension. This was not the first attempt at strut suspension, but in MacPherson 's original patent, the anti-roll bar forms an integral and essential part of the suspension, in addition to its usual function in controlling body roll. A strut suspension like MacPherson's requires a hinged lower member between the chassis and wheel hub to control the wheel position both inwards and outwards (controlling

2604-427: Is a four-door, five-seater saloon with a steel unibody construction. The overall layout remained unchanged from the Biturbo from which the car descended: longitudinal front engine , rear-wheel drive , all- independent suspension with MacPherson struts upfront and trailing arms at the rear. Despite these similarities, the suspension had been re-engineered: rear trailing arms had a tube framework structure like on

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2728-485: Is in its sixth generation, with the first generation introduced in 1963. The original Maserati Quattroporte ( Tipo AM107 ) was built between 1963 and 1969. It was a large saloon powered by V8 engines—both firsts for a series production Maserati automobile. The task of styling the Quattroporte was given to Turinese coachbuilder Pietro Frua , who drew inspiration from a special 5000 GT (chassis number 103.060) which he had designed in 1962 for Prince Karim Aga Khan . While

2852-434: Is intended to reduce the lateral tilt (roll) of the vehicle on curves, sharp corners, or large bumps. Although there are many variations in design, the object is to induce a vehicle's body to remain as level as possible by forcing the opposite wheel's shock absorber , spring, or suspension rod in the same direction as the one being impacted. In a turn, a vehicle compresses its outer wheel's suspension. The anti-roll bar forces

2976-415: Is positive camber of the wheels on the outside of the turn and negative on the inside, which reduces their cornering grip (especially with cross ply tires). Anti-roll bars provide two main functions. The first is to reduce body lean. This is dependent on the total roll stiffness of the vehicle. Increasing this stiffness does not change the steady state total load (weight) transfer from the inside wheels to

3100-419: Is resisted by the suspension roll stiffness, which is a function of the spring rate of the vehicle's springs and of the anti-roll bars, if any. The use of anti-roll bars allows designers to reduce roll without making the suspension's springs stiffer in the vertical plane, which allows improved body control with less compromise of ride quality . One effect of body lean, for typical unibody suspension geometry,

3224-407: Is usually a torsion spring anchored to resist body roll motions. It is usually constructed out of a cylindrical steel bar, formed into a "U" shape, that connects to the body at two points along its longer center section, and on each end. When the left and right wheels move together the bar simply rotates on its central mounting points. When the wheels move relative to each other, torsion forces cause

3348-484: The 1986 Turin Motor Show , and 469 examples were made until 1992. Exterior design was done in 1982 by Pierangelo Andreani. Maserati Quattroporte#Quattroporte III The Maserati Quattroporte ( Italian pronunciation: [ˌkwattroˈpɔrte] ) is a four-door luxury sports sedan produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati . The name translated from Italian means " four doors ". The car

3472-509: The 222 E export model grew from the Biturbo's 2.5-litre to 2.8-litres. A mixed velour-leather interior was standard on the domestic models, while export markets got leather upholstery as standard. 1990 saw the arrival of the 2.8 L 222 SE , heir to the Biturbo ES. It inherited the latter's limited paint finish availability (red, silver or black) and the dark trim and grille, while modern aprons and side skirts (blacked out as well) came from

3596-694: The Chrysler TC by Maserati as a "greater ignominy". The Biturbo competed in the World Touring Car Championship (1987) and the European Touring Car Championship (1988, Marlboro Conquista Team) without any notable success. Until the carburetors were replaced with the fuel injection system, they also had serious overheating problems. The WTCC cars were then raced in Italian touring championships for

3720-560: The Maserati Coupé , with an increased power output of 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) and new black plastic inlet manifold instead of an aluminium cast one. Due to its greater weight compared to the Coupé and Spyder, the 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration time for the Quattroporte is 5.2 seconds and the top speed is measured at 275 km/h (171 mph). Over 5,000 cars were built in 2006. The Maserati Quattroporte

3844-590: The Maserati Indy platform. Rory Brown was commissioned as the chief engineer of the project. The car received the 4.9-litre V8 engine ( Tipo AM 107/49 ), rated at 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp). Carrozzeria Frua designed the car, the prototype of which was displayed in 1971 and 1972 in Paris and Geneva respectively. The car was production ready, even receiving its own chassis code (AM 121), but new owner Citroën used their influence to have Maserati develop

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3968-673: The Maserati Kyalami chassis. The SM V8 engine prototype under development in the Citroën ownership was also scrapped and the staff was replaced, the most notable being head engineer Giulio Alfieri who was replaced by Aurelio Bertocchi. The hydraulic system of the Quattroporte II was replaced by a conventional power steering setup and the suspension geometry was akin to the Jaguar XJ . Initially badging reading "4 PORTE "

4092-653: The Mopar parts bin on early US-spec cars. In 1984, the climate control system was upgraded to share parts with the mass produced Biturbo . The Quattroporte III marked the last of the hand-built Italian cars; all exterior joints and seams were filled to give a seamless appearance. From 1987 onwards, the Royale superseded the Quattroporte. The Quattroporte III was an instant success and 120 units were sold in Italy in 1980 alone. On 14 December 1986, at Maserati's 60th anniversary as

4216-560: The Shamal , together with the limited slip differential . These two components were attached to the body via a newly designed tubular subframe . The fifth generation of the Quattroporte ( Tipo M139 ) debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 9 September 2003 and made its U.S. première at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ; production started in 2003. Exterior and interior design was penned by Pininfarina 's then chief designer Ken Okuyama . The last M139 Quattroporte

4340-477: The 1994 fourth generation Quattroporte , which used an evolved and slightly stretched (to 2.65 m / 104.3 in wheelbase) Biturbo Saloon platform. The Barchetta , while of a different layout entirely, used an ultimate version of the Biturbo V6 engine. When Alejandro de Tomaso acquired Maserati in 1976, he had ambitious plans for the marque. His plan was to combine the prestige of the Maserati brand with

4464-462: The 2.24v, including black trim and grille, black deep side skirts and a small spoiler on the boot. In 1991, the 4.24v was subjected to the restyling alongside the rest of the range, becoming the 4.24v II . Catalytic converters meant power decreased somewhat in comparison with the previous model. The 4.18v was launched in December 1990 and was meant for the Italian market only. It was very similar to

4588-455: The 2.24v. After just a year, the 222 SE was replaced by the restyled 222 SR ; the SR offered adaptive suspension as an option. Simultaneously the very similar 222 4v. joined the lineup; it was a 222 SR with a 2.8 L four-valve engine, the first car to incorporate a DOHC engine in the direct Biturbo E lineage. It featured wider, 16-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels. In December 1988 Maserati unveiled

4712-608: The 2.8 was not offered until a year after its introduction. The cabin was fully upholstered in Connolly leather and trimmed in elm burl wood veneer. Weight was also reduced by at least 300 kg (661 lb) as compared to the Quattroporte III primarily due to the compact Biturbo underpinnings and by the use of a compact powerplant. After having been displayed in December 1995 at the Bologna Motor Show ,

4836-417: The 4.1-litre a 4.7-litre version became also available ( AM107/4700 ), developing 290 PS (213 kW; 286 hp) DIN. Top speed increased to a claimed 255 km/h (158 mph), making the Quattroporte 4700 the fastest four-door sedan in the world at the time. Around 500 of the second series were made, for a total of 776 Tipo 107 Quattroportes. Production ended in 1969. The first generation of

4960-462: The 422 and 430, a black grille and trim treatment, rear deck spoiler and lower body two-tone paint. The bonnet was adorned by two reversed NACA ducts to extract hot air from the engine bay, as on the Karif, while at the rear there were four exhaust tips. It went on sale in early 1989 in Italy, the model's most important market. The 2.24v replaced the earlier Biturbo Si, which was taken out of production in

5084-510: The 422, but utilised an engine with three-valve per cylinder heads. It was the first Biturbo to feature ABS as standard. With 77 examples made, it is the rarest in the entire Biturbo family. The convertible iteration of the Biturbo was designed by Giuseppe Mittino and assembled by Zagato in Milan. It was Zagato's first work for Maserati since the A6G/2000 30 years earlier. Embo of Caramagna

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5208-542: The American luxury department store Neiman Marcus offered a limited edition of the Quattroporte, only available for order through the retailer's 2004 Christmas Catalog at a price of 125,000 USD. Each of the 60 Neiman Marcus Quattroportes was finished in Bordeaux Pontevecchio (wine red) exterior colour and featured a chrome mesh-front grill along with side vents and 19-inch ball-polished wheels. The interior

5332-471: The Biturbo was replaced by the 222, the 420s gave way to the 422 produced from 1988 to 1992. The 422 was basically a 420 Si with the 1988 restyled grille, wing mirrors and wheels. The 4.24v was the four-door offering of the 2.24v. This new subfamily of the Biturbos paired Maserati's four-valve 2.0 L V6 with the new Meccanica Attiva suspension. The 4.24v also adopted all of the exterior trappings of

5456-468: The Biturbo's introduction a four-door version was unveiled. In comparison to the coupé, the saloon sat on an 8.6 cm (3 in) longer wheelbase and had a more pronounced rear overhang. While keeping a resemblance with the rest of lineup, only the nose and bonnet were shared between the equivalent two and four-door models; all the bodywork from the A-pillar to the rear is specific to the saloons. Due to

5580-540: The Italian marque in 1993. It was built on an evolved and stretched (by 5 cm) version of the Biturbo saloon's architecture, and used the twin-turbocharged V6 and later the new AM578 V8 engine from the Shamal flagship grand tourer. For this reason, the car retained very compact exterior dimensions, and is smaller than any of its predecessors and successors. As the designer's signature angular rear wheel arches gave away,

5704-522: The Maserati Tipo 107 V8 engine . The exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro . From 1974 to 1976, Giorgetto Giugiaro presented two Italdesign show cars on Maserati platforms, called the Medici I and Medici II . The latter had features that would make it into the production version of the third-generation of the Quattroporte. A pre-production Quattroporte was introduced to the press by

5828-532: The Quattroporte II was very different from its predecessor and the other Maserati automobiles of the past. Based on a stretched version of the Citroën SM 's chassis, the Quattroporte II featured a front-mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout , hydropneumatic suspension , four fixed headlamps with two swivelling directional headlights , and a V6 engine. The bodywork was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone . Maserati had planned to equip Quattroporte II with

5952-502: The Quattroporte had a steel unibody structure, complemented by a front subframe. Front suspension was independent , with coil springs and hydraulic dampers . Rear suspension used a coil sprung De Dion tube featuring inboard brakes on the first series, later changed to a more conventional Salisbury leaf sprung solid axle with a single trailing link on the second series. On both axles there were anti-roll bars . Brakes were solid Girling discs all around. A limited slip differential

6076-466: The Racing was limited to red or black. On the interior, the only change was the paneling, painted dark grey (carbon fibre grey) instead of the standardwood trim. Combined with new settings on the two engine controllers from Magneti Marelli , in charge of the ignition, the fuel injection and the turbo boost management, allowed the power to increase to 285 PS (210 kW; 281 hp) at 6,250 rpm with

6200-828: The SM-based Quattroporte II instead. Only two vehicles were finished, chassis #004 was sold by Maserati to the Aga Khan in 1974, and the prototype #002 went to the King of Spain , who bought the car directly from Frua. The second generation Quattroporte, named Maserati Quattroporte II ( AM 123 ), was introduced at the Paris Motor Show and the Turin Motor Show in October 1974. As the result of Citroën 's joint-venture with Maserati in 1968,

6324-653: The Trident badges, as on vintage racing Maserati models. Inside, there were aluminium pedals, a sport steering wheel and carbon fibre in place of the standard wood inserts. A new 6-speed ZF -supplied automatic transmission was presented at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2007, with the first cars delivered right after the launch, marketed as Maserati Quattroporte Automatica . As all the three trim levels were offered in both DuoSelect and Automatica versions,

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6448-473: The U.S. market. In May 1988, with the models receiving a facelift, the Biturbo name was dropped in favour of 222 —meaning two-door, two-litre engine and second generation. The car carried all the visual clues of Gandini's signature design language, with a more rounded grille and bonnet as on the 430, different wing mirrors and a rear spoiler. The 222 premiered at the 1988 Turin Auto Show . The engine size of

6572-560: The V8 engine programme. A single running prototype of the Quattroporte II was built and tested in 1974. The 1973 oil crisis and the collapse of Citroën's finances in 1974 prevented Maserati from gaining the EEC approval for the European market. The production did not commence until 1976, and each Quattroporte II was built to order and sold in the Middle East and Spain where the type approval

6696-412: The bar to twist. Each end of the bar is connected to an end link through a flexible joint. The link is connected in turn to a spot near a wheel or axle, transferring forces from the heavily loaded side of a suspension to the opposite. Forces are therefore transferred: The bar resists the torsion through its stiffness. The stiffness of an anti-roll bar is proportional to the stiffness of the material,

6820-467: The body roll. In a turn the sprung mass of the vehicle's body produces a lateral force at the centre of gravity (CG), proportional to lateral acceleration. Because the CG is usually not on the roll axis, the lateral force creates a moment about the roll axis that tends to roll the body. (The roll axis is a line that joins the front and rear roll centers ). The moment is called the roll couple . Roll couple

6944-407: The bonnet; the 1988 bumpers were adopted by all models. The 15-inch disc-shaped alloys were replaced by new 16-inch seven-spoke wheels, with a hubcap designed to look like a centerlock nut . The second facelift was referred to as nuovolook . The cars in the Biturbo family were of unibody steel construction, with a conventional layout of front- longitudinally mounted engine and gearbox. Suspension

7068-517: The car was now called the Spyder i . 297 were made with the 2.0 L engine and 122 with the 2.5 L engine. In 1989, the Spyder received a facelift, known as Spyder i 1990 (or ' 90 ). The car received the full 1988 Gandini treatment, one year after the other models: rounded grille, fuller bumpers, aerodynamic wing mirrors and 15" wheels on five-lug hubs. As on the rest of the Biturbos, the export engine had

7192-531: The cars were originally fitted with Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tyres (CN72). Milanese coachbuilder Carrozzeria Pavesi outfitted several armoured Quattroportes during the 1980s. One of them, a 1983 Blu Sera example nicknamed Calliope , was notably used by President of the Italian Republic Sandro Pertini as the official state car during his tenure. Autocostruzioni SD of Turinese coachbuilder Salvatore Diomante also offered

7316-429: The design features introduced with the Shamal were spread to the other models. Gandini developed an aerodynamic kit that included a unique spoiler at the base of the windscreen hiding the windshield wipers, a rear spoiler, and side skirts. The new two-element headlights used poly-ellipsoidal projectors developed by Magneti-Marelli . Inset in body-colour housings, they flanked a redesigned grille, slimmer and integrated in

7440-694: The design was by Frua, body construction was carried out by Vignale . The Quattroporte was introduced at the October–;November 1963 Turin Motor Show , where a pre-production prototype was on the Maserati stand next to the Mistral coupé. Regular production began in 1964. The Tipo 107 Quattroporte joined two other grand tourers, the Facel Vega and the Lagonda Rapide , capable of traveling at speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) on

7564-483: The driver from inside the car, such as in Super GT . This allows the stiffness to be altered, for example by increasing or reducing the length of the lever arms on some systems, or by rotating a flat lever arm from a stiff edge-on position to a more flexible flat-side-on position on other systems. This lets a mechanic tune the roll stiffness for different situations without replacing the entire bar. The MacPherson strut

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7688-423: The earlier Salisbury clutch-type. The second series of the Biturbo was recognizable by its new 6"Jx14" wheels similar in design to the Biturbo S wheels; the S II wheels had fully painted faces, without the silver center. 1986 brought a major change: carburation gave way to Weber- Marelli fuel injection , and the Italian market models were now known as the Biturbo i and Biturbo Si . Power outputs increased across

7812-410: The engine featured wet aluminum sleeves coated with Nikasil . In Italy, new cars with engine displacement over 2,000 cc were subjected to a 38% value added tax , against 19% on smaller displacement cars. Therefore, throughout the Biturbo' production run, two models were made; the two-litre models aimed mainly at the domestic market and "export" versions, initially with a 2.5 L V6 engine and later,

7936-466: The external trim (grille frame, headlight housings, window surround and Maserati badges on the C-pillar) finished in a dark bronze shade instead of chrome. The customer could only choose between two paint schemes: silver or red, both paired to the lower half of the body in contrasting metallic gunmetal grey. In the same year, the 2.5-litre Biturbo 2500 or Biturbo E (for Export) was also introduced, and

8060-402: The four-door Biturbos, and powered by the largest 2.8 litre 18-valve fuel injected V6 (hence the name 228 – 2-door, 2.8 L engine). Bilstein gas shock absorbers replaced the usual hydraulic ones, and a 4-speed automatic transmission was available on order. The notchback coupé bodywork was styled by Pierangelo Andreani, and the car was wider and longer than the two-door Biturbos; the interior

8184-402: The fourth power of its radius, and the inverse of the length of the lever arms (i.e., the shorter the lever arm, the stiffer the bar). Stiffness is also related to the geometry of the mounting points and the rigidity of the bar's mounting points. The stiffer the bar, the more force required to move the left and right wheels relative to each other. This increases the amount of force required to make

8308-431: The front fenders, denoting which engine was under the bonnet. As standard, all the three engines were mated to a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission , while 4-speed automatic transmissions were available on request with the 2.8 and 3.2 engines respectively— 4HP22 by ZF Friedrichshafen and a computer-controlled transmission supplied by an Australian firm BTR . In July 1997, Fiat's subsidiary Ferrari acquired

8432-418: The front) then welded the blocks together. The output was 190 kW (258 PS; 255 hp). The new V8 engine was fitted to the Citroën SM for durability testing which lasted for 17,000 km (10,563 miles). This was done to prove that the chassis was robust enough to handle the additional power of the larger engine. Alejandro de Tomaso , the Italian entrepreneur who took over Maserati in 1975, cancelled

8556-559: The front. Skyhook active damping suspension and 19 inch V-spoke wheels were standard. Trim differences from the standard 4.2-litre cars were limited to a chrome instead of a titanium-coloured front grille. Production of the facelift Quattroporte models started in June 2008. The Quattroporte Sport GT S premièred at the North American International Auto Show in January 2009. Its 4.7-litre V8 has

8680-470: The handbrake lever. 1991 saw the introduction of the restyled 430 4v (1991–1994), powered by the latest 24-valve engine – as the "4v" suffix implied. As the top of the range 2.8 L saloon, the 430 received the full aerodynamic package, including a discreet spoiler on the trailing edge of the bootlid. The regular 430 variant was updated as well (gaining new bumpers) and remained on sale alongside its four-valve counterpart. In total, 955 cars were made. As

8804-405: The increased displacement of 2.8-litres. A four-speed automatic transmission was available on request. As for the saloons, all engines benefitted from water-cooled turbochargers and intercoolers, increasing reliability considerably over the earlier models. The third series, or Spyder III , was introduced in 1991 in occasion of Gandini's second facelift that renewed the entire range. This included

8928-417: The inside wheels lift off the ground during hard cornering. This can be used to advantage: many front wheel drive production cars lift a rear wheel when cornering hard in order to overload the opposite wheel, limiting understeer . Some anti-roll bars, particularly those intended for use in auto racing , are externally adjustable while the car is in the pit, whereas some systems can be adjusted in real time by

9052-399: The intake manifold was specific for that model. Similar experimentation with intercoolers and placement continued through 1986 models. However, the side-mounted water-to-air intercooler became the standard variant utilised until late 1986 or early 1987 when the intercoolers were placed by the Maserati factory, outside the engine bay located in front of the radiator where they remained throughout

9176-414: The largest 2.8-litre version of the Biturbo engine. The 430 was distinguished by 15-inch 5-lug disc alloy wheels and a more rounded grille and hood, that later found their way to the rest of the lineup with the first 1988 facelift. The 430 was considered to be a full grand tourer, with standard leather upholstery and walnut veneered steering wheel rim, dashboard trim, door inserts, gear shift knob along with

9300-535: The last cars built and were limited to only 50 examples. Available in both V6 and V8 Evoluzione variants, all were equipped with the automatic transmission. This special edition is the only Quattroporte to have a Maserati badge inserted into the C-door-pillar. Even though other Evoluziones had the Lassale clock replaced with the Maserati trident, this edition retained the original timepiece. The Quattroporte

9424-416: The latter half of 1988. In 1991 Gandini's restyling transformed the 2.24v into the 2.24v II . The new series cars were fitted with a catalytic converter, and got Meccanica Attiva suspension on all four wheels as standard. Production of the 2.24v ceased in 1993. The Maserati Racing (Tipo 331) was a more potent variant of the 2.24v with a higher power output, and was meant as an intermediate model beneath

9548-526: The lineup grew to six models. The Quattroporte Sport GT S was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007. Taking further the Sport GT's focus on handling, this version employed Bilstein single-rate dampers in place of the Skyhook adaptive system. Other changes from the Sport GT were a lowered ride height and 10 mm wider 295/30 rear tyres, front Brembo iron/aluminium dual-cast brake rotors and red-painted six-piston callipers. The cabin

9672-419: The longer wheelbase and added luxury components, the weight increased by 100 kg (220 lb). Most of the four-door Biturbos have slightly less power output than their two-door counterparts, due to the different routing of the exhaust system. The first four-door Biturbo introduced was the 425 (1983–86), equipped with the "export" 2.5 litre engine. In 1984, the 425 (along with the two-door models) received

9796-475: The more aggressive Shamal. The redesigned front end and other elements also found their way onto the remainder of the Biturbo range. It was first introduced to the press in December 1990. Only 230 units were built from 1991 to 1992 and were mainly intended for the Italian market. 173 Maserati Racing were delivered new to Italy, with the remainder presumable exported. Several units have also been exported from Italy since, to other European nations; limited documentation

9920-520: The most powerful variant of the two-litre models: the 2.24v , powered by the new four-valve per cylinder engine. The engine itself had been displayed at the Turin Auto Show in May 1988. The 2.24v was the first model to use the more modern wraparound front and rear fascias with integrated foglights, and deep side skirts. It was also distinguished by the 15-inch disc shaped alloy wheels as also used on

10044-409: The new bonnet and grille, ellypsoidal headlights in body-colour housings, a spoiler at the base of the windscreen, deeper body-colour sills and 16-inch seven-spoke wheels. The Spyder IIIs were fitted with Maserati's Ranger limited slip differential . Whereas the 2.0 L third series Spyder received 24-valve engines, 2.8 L cars still used 18-valves, thus remaining the only 2.8 L Biturbo model to never get

10168-417: The new cars were distinguished from the earlier models by V6 evoluzione or V8 evoluzione badges on the front fenders. Production of the fourth generation of the Quattroporte ended in May 2001 and 2,400 units were made in total with 730 being the Evoluzione versions. Japanese importer Cornes & Co. ordered a special numbered edition of the Quattroporte for their customers. Cornes Serie Speciale were

10292-596: The new motorways in Europe. It was equipped with a 4.1-litre (4,136 cc or 252 cu in) V8 engine , rated at 260 PS DIN (191 kW; 256 hp) at 5,000 rpm, and equipped with either a five-speed ZF manual transmission or a three-speed Borg Warner automatic on request. Maserati claimed a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). The car was also exported to the United States, where federal regulations mandated twin round headlamps in place of

10416-528: The next couple of years, while one car was rallied in Group A specs. Between 1987 and 1989, a facelift designed by Marcello Gandini was phased in, which helped to soften the sharp bodylines present on the original design. These changes first found their way onto the 1987 430. The redesign included a taller and more rounded grille with mesh grille and bonnet, aerodynamic wing mirrors and 15-inch disc-shaped alloy wheels , now mounted on 5-lug hubs. Some models received

10540-412: The opposite (inner) wheel's suspension to compress as well, thereby keeping the body in a more level lateral attitude. This has the additional benefit of lowering its center of gravity during a turn, increasing its stability. When both front and rear anti-roll bars are fitted, their combined effect can help maintain a vehicle's tendency to roll towards the general slope of the terrain. An anti-roll bar

10664-408: The original Biturbo. It was on this short chassis that the sporty hardtop Karif was later developed. Overall, 3,076 Spyders were built over a ten-year period. This was a production record for open-topped Maseratis. The first Spyder was launched at the Turin Motor Show in 1984. It was offered with both the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre "export" engine. Two years later, fuel injection was implemented and

10788-410: The outside, it only reduces body lean. The total lateral load transfer is determined by the center of gravity height and track width. The other function of anti-roll bars is to tune the handling balance of a car. Understeer or oversteer can be reduced by changing the proportion of the total roll stiffness that comes from the front and rear axles. Increasing it at the front increases the proportion of

10912-579: The range, albeit at some loss of throttle response. The original square instrument cluster (from 1983 - 1985) was changed in 1986 in favour of a rounded shape instrument cluster. The intercoolers were moved from under the bonnet to a front-mounted position directly behind the grille, making the NACA ducts on the Si's bonnet merely decorative. In 1986, a special edition of the Si called the Biturbo Si Black

11036-435: The rear doors, and a mini-bar . Visually, the Royale was distinguished by new disc-shaped alloy wheels and silver-coloured side sills. A limited production run of 120 cars was announced, but when production ceased in 1990 only 53 cars were completed. In all, including the Royale, production of the Quattroporte III amounted to 2,155 units in total. The Quattroporte III utilised an all-steel unibody structure. The chassis

11160-556: The rear windows. The exterior was distinguished by 19 inch eight-spoke ball-polished alloy wheels and chrome mesh front and side grilles. The Quattroporte Sport GT variant offered several performance upgrades: a re-configured transmission providing faster gearshifts and a firmer Skyhook suspension system; courtesy of new software calibrations, seven-spoke 20 inch wheels with low-profile tyres, cross-drilled brake rotors, and braided brake lines. Model-specific exterior trim included dark mesh front and side grilles and red accents to

11284-444: The remaining models in the Biturbo family tree. Fuel injection was fitted in 1987 raising power output to 187 hp (139 kW) on North American models. In 1989 the enlarged 2.8 L engine came with an increased power output of 225 hp (168 kW) and 246 lb⋅ft (334 N⋅m) of torque for North America and 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) for Europe. A 1,996 cc DOHC 36-valve (6 valves per cylinder) V6 engine

11408-462: The saloons were updated with the Weber fuel injection, thus spawning the 425 i (1986–89), 420 i (1985–87) and 420 Si (1985–87). The latter featured a somewhat more restrained styling than its predecessor. In 1986, Maserati launched the high-performance version of the Biturbo saloon called the 430 which was produced from 1986 to 1994. It was the flagship variant of the saloon range, which debuted

11532-447: The single rectangular ones found on European models. Maserati manufactured 230 of its first generation Quattroportes Between 1963 and 1966. In 1966, Maserati revised the Tipo 107, adding the twin headlights already used on the U.S. model. A leaf-sprung solid axle took the place of the previous De Dion tube. The interior was completely redesigned, including the dashboard which now had a full width wood-trimmed fascia. In 1968 alongside

11656-427: The sporty Biturbo S , for the Italian market only. Power was increased by 25 PS (18 kW) to 205 PS (151 kW) at 6,500 rpm, courtesy of increased turbo boost and twin intercoolers which fed fresh air by two NACA ducts in the bonnet. The chassis was updated as well with lowered suspension and new, wider 6½Jx14" magnesium alloy wheels were fitted. The S was recognizable by its black mesh grille and

11780-507: The suspension's roll stiffness—its resistance to roll in turns. The first stabilizer bar patent was awarded to Canadian inventor Stephen Coleman of Fredericton, New Brunswick on April 22, 1919. Anti-roll bars were unusual on pre-WW2 cars due to the generally much stiffer suspension and acceptance of body roll. From the 1950s on, however, production cars were more commonly fitted with anti-roll bars, especially those vehicles with softer coil spring suspension. An anti-sway or anti-roll bar

11904-467: The then Maserati president Alejandro de Tomaso on 1 November 1976, in advance of its début at the Turin Motor Show later that month. It was only three years later though, in 1979, that the production version of the car went on sale. De Tomaso, who disliked Citroën, removed all of the influence of the French marque from the car. The quad-cam V8 engines built since 1963 were used in a stretched version of

12028-435: The total load transfer that the front axle reacts to—and decreases it in the rear. In general, this makes the outer front wheel run at a comparatively higher slip angle, and the outer rear wheel to run at a comparatively lower slip angle, increasing understeer. Increasing the proportion of roll stiffness at the rear axle has the opposite effect, decreasing understeer. Because an anti-roll bar connects wheels on opposite sides of

12152-464: The track), and also forwards and backwards. This may be provided by a wishbone with a number of joints, or by using an additional radius rod . MacPherson's design replaced the wishbone with a simpler and cheaper track control arm , with a single inboard joint, to control the track. Forward and backward position was controlled through the anti-roll bar. Overall this required a simpler and cheaper set of suspension members than with wishbones, also allowing

12276-474: The vehicle, the bar transmits the force of a bump on one wheel to the opposite wheel. On rough or broken pavement, anti-roll bars can produce jarring, side-to-side body motions (a "waddling" sensation), which increase in severity with the diameter and stiffness of the anti-roll bars. Other suspension techniques can delay or dampen this effect of the connecting bar. Excessive roll stiffness, typically achieved by configuring an anti-roll bar too aggressively, can make

12400-521: The wedge-shaped aerodynamic ( C d =0.31) body was penned by Marcello Gandini . The world première of the fourth generation of the Quattroporte took place at the April 1994 Turin Motor Show and the car went on sale towards the end of the year. Initially the Quattroporte was powered by the twin-turbocharged, 24-valve V6 engines from the Ghibli . For export markets there was a 2.8-litre unit, generating

12524-406: The wraparound bumpers with integral foglights and the deep sills introduced with the 2.24v in early 1989. Mechanical upgrades first seen on the 2.24v also began filtering through the Biturbo range in early 1989, including suspension and power steering improvements as well as ventilated front disc brakes. In 1991, the entire lineup was restyled for a second time, again by the hand of Marcello Gandini;

12648-434: Was Citroën 's SC.CAR (Systeme Citroën de Contrôle Actif du Roulis), debuted in its 1994 Xantia Activa , a medium-sized European sedan. The anti-roll bar could be stiffened by the suspension ECU during hard cornering, minimizing body roll to 2 degrees. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Active Body Control system eliminates the anti-roll bar, instead using sensors to detect lateral load, lateral force, and height difference in

12772-487: Was also more luxuriously appointed. While it looks similar, the 228 and the Biturbo share no common body panels. Maserati declared the car in the European-specification could accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds and attain a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph). A 24-valve but still carbureted prototype was shown in December 1984; the production version of the 228 was introduced at

12896-441: Was available, which made homologation in some countries a huge administrative challenge. The lowered, electronic KONI shock absorbers allowed to adjust damping on four settings, allowing for comfort or sharp handling at the flick of a switch. This is combined with a five-speed manual gearbox manufactured by Getrag and a limited slip differential from Maserati but suspected to use Quaife technology. The choice of colours of

13020-543: Was built on 20 December 2012. Built on an entirely new platform named the M139 , it was 50 cm (19.7 in) longer than its predecessor and sat on a 40 cm (15.7 in) longer wheelbase. The same architecture would later underpin the GranTurismo and GranCabrio coupés and convertibles. Initially, the Quattroporte was powered by an evolution of the naturally aspirated dry sump 4.2-litre V8 engine , as used in

13144-411: Was developed for the Biturbo but never manufactured. The Biturbo is a two-door 2+2 coupé, introduced in December 1981. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6, rated at 180–205 PS (132–151 kW). The Biturbo name was dropped when the car was significantly redesigned in 1988. After 1994, the two-door coupé was again significantly reworked and became the Ghibli . In July 1983, Maserati launched

13268-399: Was distinguished by a specific front grille with concave vertical bars, black headlight bezels, red accents on the Trident badges, the absence of chrome window trim, body colour door handles and black double oval exhaust pipes instead of the quad round exhaust pipes found on other Quattroporte models. On the interior, the veneer trim was replaced by "Titan Tex" composite material and the cabin

13392-408: Was first commissioned to develop a four-seater cabriolet version of the Biturbo, which was shown at the April 1982 Turin Auto Show , but their proposal never made it to production. The Spyder was built on a 2,400 mm (94.5 in) wheelbase, some 114 mm (4.5 in) shorter than the coupé's. Still, since it is a strict two-seater with folding rear seats, the luggage space was larger than in

13516-497: Was initially offered in only one configuration, equipped with an automated manual transmission, marketed as DuoSelect . The base Quattroporte DuoSelect featured a chrome grille with horizontal slats, adaptive suspension, marketed as Skyhook and 330 mm brake disks with four piston calipers at each wheel. Maserati offered fifteen exterior paint colours, Poltrona Frau leather upholstery in ten colours, contrasting seat piping and stitching and three types of wood inserts. In 2004,

13640-420: Was introduced, whose main feature was a black on metallic grey paint scheme.105 units were made until 1988. Performance was the same as for the regular Si. In 1987, Maserati launched the final car to wear the Biturbo badge, the U.S only 2.5 litre export market model Biturbo (E) Si Black. with black on metallic grey paint scheme and special interior trim. Only a total of 25 cars were known to have been produced for

13764-521: Was joined some twelve months later by the Biturbo ES with power outputs 205 or 196 PS (151 or 144 kW), respectively in European- or catalysed US-specification. In 1985, all models received updates and were renamed Biturbo II , Biturbo S II and Biturbo E II . The cylinders were now Nikasil -coated, a more capacious fuel tank was fitted and a Sensitork limited slip differential replaced

13888-509: Was later upgraded to 4 valves per cylinder. The all-aluminum 90-degree V6, although a new design, was roughly based on the V6 engine used in the Merak, itself based on earlier Formula One Maserati V8 engines that were designed by Giulio Alfieri . The engine in the Biturbo uses a timing belt to drive the camshafts, whilst the V6 in the Merak and the Citroën SM uses a timing chain. The 2-litre version of

14012-404: Was linked to the chassis only by a single lower wishbone , the half shafts doubling as upper control arms, and was sprung by twin coaxial dampers and coil springs units. Rear brakes were mounted inboard, the callipers were bolted directly to the housing of the differential. The entire assembly was supported by a bushing -insulated crossbeam . Initially a Salisbury-type limited slip differential

14136-482: Was not as efficient as the separate side-mounted versions) and water-to-air intercoolers, all produced by Spearco. In 1986, the 2.5 L V6 models switched to a Weber 34DAT carburetor which was proven to be less efficient and more problematic to maintain than the Weber DCNVH used previously. On initial viewing of the 1986 Biturbo engine bay, the aluminum alloy plenum is finned with a slightly different footprint and

14260-656: Was not needed. Only twelve production cars were built from 1976 to 1978. The engineering and development had cost Maserati about four billion lire by the time the production ended in 1978. The third generation of the Maserati Quattroporte ( Tipo AM 330 ) was developed under the Alejandro de Tomaso -GEPI ownership. After the Citroën-era front-wheel drive Quattroporte II, the third generation returned to rear-wheel drive with an enlarged variation of

14384-407: Was of the MacPherson strut type upfront and semi-trailing arms at the rear, with coil springs, double-acting dampers and anti-roll bars on both axles. The differential and rear suspension arms were supported by a subframe. The Maserati Biturbo was the first production car to use a twin-turbocharged engine. It is also the first production car engine with three valves per cylinder, although it

14508-593: Was optional. The long lived quad cam , all-aluminium Maserati V8 engine made its début on the Quattroporte. It featured two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank, 16 angled valves , hemispherical combustion chambers , inserted cast iron wet cylinder liners , and was fed through an aluminium, water-cooled inlet manifold by four downdraft twin-choke Weber carburetors —initially 38 DCNL 5 and 40 DCNL 5 on 4200 and 4700 cars respectively, later changed to 40 DCNF 5 and 42 DCNF 5 starting from December 1968. In 1971, Karim Aga Khan ordered another special one-off based on

14632-603: Was related to that of the Kyalami , in turn derived from the De Tomaso Longchamp and therefore ultimately related to the De Tomaso Deauville luxury saloon. Front suspension was of the double wishbone type, with single coaxial dampers and coil springs and an anti-roll bar . The rear axle used a peculiar layout very similar to Jaguar independent rear suspension . Each cast aluminium hub carrier

14756-543: Was the Quattroporte S , powered by a wet-sump 4.7-litre V8 engine, the same engine utilised in the Maserati GranTurismo S , with a maximum power output of 430 PS (316 kW; 424 hp) and maximum torque of 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft). In conjunction with the engine, the braking system was upgraded to cross-drilled discs on both axles and dual-cast 360 mm rotors with six piston callipers at

14880-628: Was upholstered in ivory Poltrona Frau leather accented with Bordeaux piping and mahogany wood trim. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005, Maserati introduced two different trim levels for the Quattroporte, the Executive GT and Sport GT. The Quattroporte Executive GT was a comfort and luxury-oriented specification; it came equipped with a wood-rimmed steering wheel, an Alcantara-suede interior roof lining; ventilated, adaptive, massaging rear seats, rear air conditioning controls, veneered retractable rear tables, and curtain shades on

15004-545: Was upholstered in mixed Alcantara and leather, with carbon fibre accents; on the exterior, the door handles were painted in body colour and the 20 inch wheels and the exhaust pipes were finished in a "dark chrome" shade. At the 2008 North American International Auto Show , Maserati launched the Quattroporte Collezione Cento, a special edition of the Quattroporte limited to 100 examples. Its unique specification featured an ivory paint colour with

15128-400: Was upholstered in mixed Alcantara and leather. Anti-roll bar An anti-roll bar ( roll bar , anti-sway bar , sway bar , stabilizer bar ) is an automobile suspension part that helps reduce the body roll of a vehicle during fast cornering or over road irregularities. It links opposite front or rear wheels to a torsion spring using short lever arms for anchors. This increases

15252-482: Was used, but this was changed in 1981 to ones spelling out "Quattroporte". Two versions of the V8 engine were available: a 4,930 cc (4.9 L) version generating a maximum power output of 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp), and a smaller built-to-order 4,136 cc (4.1 L) engine generating 255 PS (188 kW; 252 hp), which was phased out in 1981. The interior was upholstered in leather and trimmed in briar wood . The climate controls came from

15376-411: Was used; in 1984 it was replaced by a more advanced Gleason -licensed Torsen —or "Sensitork" in Maserati parlance. The engine was an evolution of Maserati's own all-aluminium, quad overhead cam V8 , fed by four Weber carburetors . The automatic transmission used was a three-speed Chrysler A727 "Torqueflite" gearbox. The manual gearboxes are ZF S5 five speed units. When leaving the factory all

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