Maserati Quattroporte III (1979 – 1990) Review

The Maserati Quattroporte III was another post-De Tomaso back to basics offering, and none the worse for it. And the good news was that unlike the Kyalami, this wasn't a badge-engineered Deauville, but a full-scale, full-powered high-speed four-door. And in the USA. it received a suitably grandiose name - the Royale.

Where the Quattroporte II had flopped on its unconventional engineering, lack of power, front-wheel drive and anodyne styling, its replacement returned to the formula that made the original car so successful – a big V8, discrete styling, and a supercar driving experience combined with additional accommodation. Sales were not as strong as they could have been, although in 4.9-litre form the Quatroporte III remained in production throughout the 1980s to be sold alongside the new Biturbo.