Elton John's Maserati Quattroporte heads to the auction block

The Market

Photo courtesy of The Market

A 2005 Maserati Quattroporte first owned by Sir Elton John will go up for Auction later this month via online classic car auctioneer, The Market. Purchased between John's 2004-2005 Peachtree Road Tour and 2006 European Tour, the car belonged to John at the beginning of his Las Vegas residency.

This Quattroporte is no slouch. The four-door full-size luxury saloon car was in its fifth generation when purchased, having been completely redesigned for the 2003 model year. It is finished in a Verde green paint job that is complemented by a Cuoio biscuit interior with rosewood veneer.

In addition to its base features, the car was originally spec-d with a rear-seat DVD player and screen, games input, two headphones, a remote control, and six CD autochanger.

Elton Johns's 2005 Maserati Quattroporte 

Elton Johns's 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  

Photo courtesy of The Market

The winner of this car will receive unique add-ons to their sale including the official Maserati welcome letter addressed to 'Mr John', a copy of the original V5 certificate donning Sir Elton's name, and the current number plates.

"Sir Elton is a national treasure and a global superstar, who has impeccable taste when it comes to buying cars," said Tristan Judge, director, The Market. "Indeed, the car is in excellent condition and has evidentially been treated like a celebrity itself over the years."

"This is a very special opportunity for worlds to collide for enthusiasts of both music and collectible cars, grabbing themselves a genuine piece of memorabilia," added Judge. "The vehicle's new owner will be able to enjoy the kind of luxury drive you can expect from a top of the range Italian beauty, as well as revel in the history this car has had in the hands of a music icon."

The car was purchased by its current owner in 2016 and has covered just 1,000 miles since then having been dry stored. Its odometer reads 28,493 miles.

The Market expects the car to sell for between £15,000 and £40,000. There is no reserve.

The auction of this Maserati Quattroporte will run February 18 through 25, 2021.

From Your Site Articles
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

Worst car names in America

Ranked

A vehicle's name is arguably one of its most important aspects. Of course design, features and performance are what ultimately sell a car, but a majority of marketing focuses on a car's name. Often expected to illustrate or suggest an auto's essence, names such as Jeep Renegade or Lamborghini Diablo conjure a visceral image of the vehicle.

This leaves us wondering what went wrong with the following car names. Petty power struggles? Poor translations? Three-martini lunches? We're not saying all these are bad cars (although some are not great), but they certainly could have benefitted from better names. Here are just a few of the worst car names we've experienced in America.

GM Impact

General Motors Impact Concept
  

Photo courtesy of General Motors

Before General Motors introduced its groundbreaking EV1 electric car in the mid-1990s, the company showed a prototype electric vehicle called the Impact. Although we can see what they were thinking — this car would make a huge impact on the industry and America — riding in a car named after the first thing you don't want to have happen while in a car seems wrong. Although the name was marginally better than Crash, Smash or Slam.

Ford Probe

1993 Ford Probe GT

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The Probe was a fine sport coupe — it didn't have great performance but the styling wasn't bad. The name, however, could have been better. When we think of the word probe, what comes to mind is what space aliens reportedly do with captives. According to Webster's Dictionary, a probe is "a thin, long instrument that is used especially for examining parts of the body" — along the lines of that space examination. A hot shower might be in order after driving a Probe.

Kia K900

2020 Kia K900

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

The flagship sedan of the Kia model lineup, the K900 is a large luxury sedan. Although the rest of the Kia lineup has what we would consider reasonable names, we're not sure what the Korean automaker was thinking with the name K900. The big Kia's name is simply too close to K9, and while we know that dogs can help sell cars — just look at Subaru — no one wants a dog of a car.

Volkswagen Thing

Volkswagen Thing

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

In 1973 Volkswagen imported an odd-looking vehicle originally designed for the German military. Sold as the Safari in Mexico, Trekker in the UK and the Kurierwagon in Germany, apparently VW had run out of creativity by the time they got around to naming the American version, so it was simply called the Thing. Sold in America for only two years, the Thing's doors and windows could be removed, the windshield could be folded down and — with drains in the floor — it could be hosed out when dirty. With a 55-horsepower engine the Thing boasted a top speed of 71 mph. Perhaps Thing is more appropriate than we first thought.

Chevrolet Citation

Chevrolet Citation

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Chevrolet sold the Citation in the early 1980s — it was the brand's first front-wheel-drive car, but with quality and reliability issues the compact model was not terribly successful. Perhaps naming the car after the second thing you don't want to occur while driving wasn't the best idea either. Maybe Chevrolet marketing mavens glossed over the type of citation given by a traffic cop. According to Webster's, citation also can mean a statement praising a person's bravery. Back in the days of mullets and New Wave, you had to be pretty brave to buy a Citation.

AMC Gremlin

1970 AMC Gremlin

Photo by Getty Images

There are plenty of cars named after living things that conjure positive images. Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Ram — even Volkswagen Rabbit. So why would AMC name their car after something that nobody would want to associate with? According to Webster's, a gremlin is a small imaginary creature that gets blamed when something doesn't work properly — something you certainly don't want in your car. But AMC fully embraced the name, even featuring a little Gremlin on the gas cap.

Ford Aspire

Ford Aspire

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Sold in America for just a few years in the mid-1990s, the Ford Aspire was a small 2- or 4-door hatchback built by Kia. The very basic car had few amenities and with its anemic 4-cylinder engine took more than 16 seconds to reach 60 mph. Perhaps the name was appropriate — anyone driving the Aspire would shortly be striving to drive something else.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi Mirage

Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors

Is it really there or did you just think you saw it? Another naming fail is this small Mitsubishi, since a mirage is something with no substance that appears to be real but isn't. The car is something like that — with just 74 horsepower, less-than-appealing styling, tiny wheels and lackluster performance it might be better to reach the horizon and find the Mirage wasn't really there.

Maserati Quattroporte

Maserati Quattroporte

Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

The name of this high-performance Maserati sedan is not exactly bad — it really isn't much of a name at all. The Italian word "Quattroporte" literally translates to "four doors," and while the Quattroporte is a 4-door sedan, this name simply lacks imagination — it merely states the obvious in another language. At least the 2-door GranTurismo wasn't named the Dueporte.

Daihatsu Charade

Daihatsu Charade

Photo courtesy of Daihatsu

This small Japanese car company only sold vehicles in the U.S. from 1988 to 1992, and billed the Charade as a premium subcompact car. But with basic equipment and a weak 3-cylinder engine, premium was a bit of a stretch. Perhaps the small car was just living up to its name — charade is an empty or deceptive act and, based on the description, so was this car.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Ferrari LaFerrari

Photo courtesy of Ferrari

Ferrari took the wraps off its this supercar a few years ago at the Geneva Motor Show, and while the crowd of attending auto journalists were excited and impressed with the high-tech hybrid system and claimed 950 total horsepower, they were left scratching their heads when the name was announced. LaFerrari translates into English as "the Ferrari." Sure, we get the elemental nature of the name, but Ferrari's flagship sports car should have been given a more deserving moniker.

Renault LeCar

Renault LeCar

Photo courtesy of Renault

Along the same lines as LaFerrari, Renault was a bit short on creativity when it came to naming this little French car. At first blush it appears that the translation to English would be "the car," which is rather unimaginative. However "car" in French means coach or bus — so this tiny econobox is actually named "the bus." At least the name is big.

Subaru Brat

Subaru Brat

Photo courtesy of Subaru of America, Inc.

Nobody likes a brat. Typically an annoying child belonging to someone else (our own children are never brats), this is not someone you want to spend any time with. So why would you name a car after an ill-mannered, annoying child? As it turns out, BRAT is an acronym for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter. So while the little 4WD Subaru with the rear-facing open-air seats was great fun in its day, the name is definitely annoying.

Hummer

Hummer H2

Photo by Getty Images

The Hummer was a civilian version of the military Humvee (a nickname for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle). Arnold Schwarzenegger pressured AM General to make the big SUV available to the public, so AM General put the Hummer on public roads in 1992. However, you might hear some snickering whenever this big vehicle's name gets uttered, given that it's slang for a certain oral act. Not exactly what you want associated with your new vehicle, but hey — sex sells, right?

Infiniti Q?

2019 Infiniti Q50

Photo courtesy of Infiniti Motors

Nissan's luxury brand always had a naming convention of letters and numbers — the letters indicated the vehicle series, the number was determined by the engine. But recently Infiniti rebadged all vehicles, and it's no longer possible to determine the vehicle based on its name. Every vehicle name starts with a Q. Why? Good question. There doesn't seem to be much logic behind the names — the car named Q60 is a 2-door version of the Q50, but the QX60 SUV is bigger than the QX50. (The numbers no longer indicate the engine, simply the order in the vehicle lineup.) Very confusing, even for those in the industry.

Suzuki Esteem

Suzuki Esteem

Photo courtesy of Suzuki

If you're not feeling great about yourself, buying a good-looking, quality car could certainly raise your self-esteem. Strangely enough, the car named Esteem would no doubt fail in that endeavor. The Esteem was a basic economy car sold in the late 1990s through 2002, and while it would get you around, very few people would hold this car in high esteem.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Luxury cars for almost every budget

Buying Advice

The concept of a luxury car for any budget means different things to different people, and often it depends not only on the features or price point, but also on personal perspective and perception. The driver of a 15-year-old econobox might think any new car is a luxury, while someone used to piloting a $100,000 Mercedes might be slightly harder to please.

Let's consider what a luxury sedan might look like for those within just about any new-car budget. Keep in mind that vehicles listed here are within ranges — final prices could be slightly higher or lower than the range shown. Sticking with traditional luxury cars, each vehicle listed here is a 4-door sedan — and a potential luxury car for any budget.

$20,000 Range

\u200b2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited
  

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited — $22,800
Hyundai may not be the name that comes to mind when it comes to luxury, but the brand's best-selling model is surprisingly equipped for the price. Refreshed last year with a new hood, front fascia, grille and headlights, the current Elantra has a more chiseled look than its predecessor. Inside the Elantra Limited feels like a premium sedan with standard features that include leather heated seats, dual-zone climate control with CleanAir Ionizer, wireless device charging, proximity key with pushbutton start, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Infinity premium audio system and 7-inch high-resolution display screen. With full LED headlights and taillights as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, the Elantra looks the part of a luxury car as well.

Other options:

$40,000 Range

2020 Mercedes-Benz C300
  

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 — $41,400
The best-selling passenger car in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the C-Class moved into its fourth year of the current generation last year with updated styling, more power and new features. Looking like a proper Mercedes with standard LED headlights and taillights and freshened front-end styling, the C-Class is available in a number of trim levels with varying levels of power. The entry-level C300 comes well equipped with a 7-inch display, a power sunroof, active brake assist, a rearview camera, keyless start and a new multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel that includes Touch Control Buttons that respond to swiping motions. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 255 horsepower, teamed with a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission. The C-Class is available with Mercedes 4MATIC all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000.

Other options:

$60,000 Range

2020 Lincoln Continental
  

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Motor Company

2020 Lincoln Continental Reserve — $59,870
The Lincoln Continental is a name long associated with American luxury, and in 2017 this classic returned to the U.S. market after a 15-year hiatus. The flagship sedan of Ford's luxury brand, the Continental is designed to provide a quiet and relaxing experience for all passengers. Approaching the Continental brings it to life, projecting the Lincoln logo in front of the doors to act as a welcome mat. Unique door handles combine the classic handle with an electronic door release. The interior has a welcoming mix of soft leather and real wood trim, as well as an available 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system. Optional Perfect Position seats can be adjusted 30 different ways and are available with front and rear heating, cooling and massage functions. Continental can be configured with front- or all-wheel drive with power coming from the standard 2.7-liter twin-turbo engine producing 335 horsepower and a plentiful 380 pound-feet of torque.

Other options:

$80,000 Range

\u200b2020 Audi A8
  

Photo courtesy of Audi AG

2020 Audi A8 — $83,800
The A8 resides at the pinnacle of the Audi sedan lineup and was completely new for the 2019 model year. Now in its fourth generation, the A8 introduces a modern look for the Audi brand with stylish high-tech headlights that flank the latest version of Audi's signature Singleframe grille. At the rear are new LED taillights, enhanced by a lighting strip that stretches the width of the car. Passengers will find an ultra-luxurious interior that features the latest high-tech displays and features. The multi-screen display consists of a 10.3-inch upper screen with smartphonelike functionality with haptic touch functionality, while the lower 8.6-inch screen can be used to adjust HVAC, seating and up to 32 programmable shortcuts. In front of the driver is the latest version of the Audi virtual cockpit that contains a 12.3-inch high-definition screen that can be configured to suit driver preferences.

Other options:

$100,000 Range

2020 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 Granlusso

Photo courtesy of Maserati

2020 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 Granlusso— $110,990
Once this luxury list hits the $100,000 mark, most folks might assume that whatever gets highlighted would be rather exclusive. This isn't necessarily true; but if exclusivity is important, why not try the Maserati Quattroporte? The flagship of the Maserati line, the Quattroporte is handmade in Modena, Italy, and features an elegant interior with fine Italian leather and silk trim from Ermenegildo Zegna, the Italian luxury fashion house. In addition to traditional niceties, the coachbuilder has embraced technology with a Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals, a rearview camera and an optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as a WLAN-based Wi-Fi system. Best of all, under the hood lurks a Ferrari-built engine that emits a sound so amazing even those who aren't looking will know something special is motoring by.

Other options:

$120,000 Range

2019 Jaguar XJ
  

Photo courtesy of Jaguar

2019 Jaguar XJR575 — $123,300
The Jaguar XJ may be in its final year, but there's still time to pick up this special edition of the British luxury sedan. Introduced for the 2018 model year, the XJR575 gets built on the long wheelbase Jaguar XJ sedan and has bespoke styling features inside and out. The XJ is not a common car on the road, which already gives it a level of exclusivity; however, the XJR575 further differentiates itself with a gloss-black grille and side power vents, sports exhaust with quad pipes, hood louvers, red brake calipers and 20-inch gloss-black finish wheels. The interior is equally special with sport seats featuring diamond-quilted leather and 575 branding throughout. The long wheelbase provides a spacious rear seat. As one might guess from the name, the XJR575 is equipped with a unique version of Jaguar's supercharged V8 engine that generates 575 horsepower, moving this big luxury sedan to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and continuing to a top speed of 186 mph.

Other options:

$140,000 Range

\u200b2020 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4 Door
  

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

2020 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4 Door — $140,250
As the high-performance tuning group associated with Mercedes Benz, AMG has produced two standalone sports cars: the SLS AMG and the current AMG GT coupe / roadster. Now there's a new AMG-specific model, the AMG GT 4-Door. The all-new AMG GT 4-Door has styling cues that clearly link it to its 2-door sibling. Up front are slim multibeam LED headlights that flank the AMG "shark nose" grille and feed into the low and long sculpted hood. At the rear are LED taillights and quad exhaust pipes — a must for any AMG model. Passengers will enjoy the luxurious surroundings inside, but the driver will be most excited by the hand-built biturbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that generates a plentiful 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The four-seat GT 63 will sprint to 60 mph in only 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 193 mph.

Other options:

$160,000 Range

  

Photo courtesy of BMW of North America, LLC

2020 BMW 7 Series M760i XDrive — $157,700
The 7 Series is the flagship of the BMW family, and this M760i xDrive sits at the peak of the 7 Series lineup. The big sedan combines the utmost in luxury with impressive performance to create the ultimate high-performance sport sedan. Rear-seat passengers enjoy big, comfortable seats that recline, massage, heat and cool while they experience the high-end video entertainment system. As inviting as the rear seat might be, the driver's seat is the one to choose. With a TwinPower Turbo V12 engine producing 601 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, this big sedan can reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, boasting a top speed limited to 155 mph. Full-time all-wheel drive and legendary BMW handling make this a luxury-performance sedan for any season.

Other options:

$180,000 Range

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
  

Photo courtesy of Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S — $185,000
Porsche has introduced its first fully-electric vehicle and it is pure Porsche. Taycan's design team made sure the new model is easily recognizable as a Porsche, with its sleek body and roofline that slopes toward the rear in its signature Teutonic taper. The headlights have a futuristic look, while at the rear a light bar over the large PORSCHE name evokes the look of the new 911. Inside Taycan, occupants experience a new dashboard that features a standard 10.9-inch infotainment display as well as an optional passenger display; both meld behind a single glass panel. This first electric Porsche is powered by two electric motors — one at each axle – which also creates an advanced 4-wheel-drive system. The Turbo S generates a staggering 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, making it the most potent vehicle in the Porsche lineup. That's enough grunt to move this 4-door Porsche to 60 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds.

Other options:

$200,000 Range

\u200b2020 Mercedes-Maybach S650
  

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

2020 Mercedes-Maybach S650 — $202,550
While the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is approaching the pinnacle of luxury, the Maybach takes things to another level, especially for rear-seat occupants. Those lucky passengers will enjoy seats that are both heated and cooled, can recline up to 43 degrees, and offer six massage programs. Ultra-soft Nappa leather and hand-finished wood can be found throughout the cabin, including a wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel. The feature list is much too long to list, but highlights include 4-zone climate control, 64 color/3-zone LED ambient lighting, heated armrests and a Burmester 3-D Surround Sound audio system.

Other options:

$225,000 Range

2020 Bentley Flying Spur
  

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

2020 Bentley Flying Spur — $214,600
There's a certain level of luxury expected from a Bentley, and this all-new Flying Spur delivers. Hand built in Great Britain, the latest Flying Spur features a new aluminum and composite chassis that let engineers increase the wheelbase by more than 5 inches which translates to an even roomier interior. Styling is updated with a bold grille flanked by LED matrix headlights with cut crystal detailing, and a retractable and restyled Flying B is positioned above the grille. Inside, the new Bentley Flying Spur is swathed in leather, wood and technology. Any Flying Spur owner will be continually answering the question whether the best seat in the house is in the comfort of the rear seat or behind the wheel. While rear-seat passengers will enjoy the lavish surroundings with the expected high levels of craftsmanship and refinement, drivers get to experience Bentley's twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine producing 626 horsepower, delivering runs to 60 mph that take 3.7 seconds with an eventual top speed of 207 mph.

$300,000 Range

Rolls-Royce Ghost
  

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost — $315,000
From the "everything is relative" department, the Ghost is the "entry-level" model in the Rolls-Royce lineup. Rolls-Royce has long been the benchmark for luxury automobiles, and this still holds true for the Ghost. The hand-built sedan is swathed in five coats of paint that take seven days to apply, with an additional five hours of hand polishing. Inside is a mix of classic matching wood veneers and hand-stitched leather seats with the latest in high-tech connectivity and infotainment . The twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine provides more than adequate power, and the intelligent air suspension delivers an impressively smooth, quiet ride.

Other options:
  • Bentley Mulsanne

$350,000 Range

2020 Bentley Mulsanne Speed
  

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

2020 Bentley Mulsanne Speed — $342,300
The Mulsanne Speed is a perfect example of the classic large and powerful Bentley. The car weighs almost 3 tons and stretches more than 18 feet long, but with a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 530 horsepower and a whopping 811 lb-ft of torque, it easily reaches 60 mph in under 5 seconds while boasting a top speed of 190 mph. The Mulsanne Speed's driver-adjustable air suspension can focus on comfort or stiffness to optimize performance and handling. The lavish interior features diamond-quilted leather on seats and door panels, a leather headliner, piano-black veneer with handcrafted carbon-fiber inlays, and an embroidered Bentley emblem on each seat. A 60 GB onboard hard drive stores music for the driver and films for rear-seat passengers to view on 8-inch screens. A frosted glass bottle cooler — replete with crystal champagne flutes — can be installed in the rear armrest, and power-operated tables can be fitted to the rear of the front seats.

$400,000+ Range

Rolls Royce Phantom
  

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom — $450,000
If there is a bar against which all luxury cars are judged, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is well above it. The legendary British marque has introduced an all-new eighth-generation Phantom that is completely new from the ground up. In addition to the added stiffness of a new aluminum spaceframe, the Phantom features Rolls-Royce's "Magic Carpet Ride," which can adjust the air suspension continuously for the smoothest motive experience. The system uses a camera to assess road conditions and adjusts the Phantom's setup proactively to accommodate rough road surfaces. The elegant rear seat is accessed through larger rear-hinged doors that can be softly closed with the push of a button. The gamut of standard features is too long to list here, but it includes the latest in advanced safety technology, the highest-quality materials and just about any level of customization a customer could desire. And for those seeking a Rolls-Royce that goes even longer on luxury, might we suggest the extended-wheelbase version of the Phantom, which can be had for $530,000.

Other options:
  • A very nice house
  • A new boat
Photo courtesy of Maserati

A Look Back: Maserati Quattroporte celebrates its 56th birthday with a nod to its royal lineage

Heritage

Italy has been the historical home for luxury performance cars for a century. The Maserati Quattroporte has been around for half that time, serving as a coach for royals and high-ranking government officials since its birth.

The Quattroporte traces its roots back to the Maserati 5000 GT known as The Shah of Persia. Only 34 models of the coupe were produced. The first was delivered to Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the last King of Iran. Other buyers included Karim Aga Khan, the son of Prince Aly Khan; Gianni Angellini, the head of Fiat; and Adolfo López Mateos, the President of Mexico.

Maserati 5000 GTMaserati traces the roots of its Quattroporte back to the 5000 GT.Photo courtesy of Maserati

Series I of the Quattroporte kicked off production in 1964 and ran through 1966 with 230 units produced. It was equipped with a 4.1-liter V8 engine that achieved 260 horsepower and was paired with a five-speed manual transmission. A three-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission was available upon request.

The second iteration of the Quattroporte, Series II, included many upgrades including twin headlights, a leaf-sprung solid axle, and a completely redesigned interior. The dashboard was now trimmed with real wood fascia. The Series II was offered with the 4.1-liter base engine, as well as a new 4.7-liter power plant that delivered 290 horsepower. The Quattroporte 4700 was equipped with the larger engine and had a top speed of 158 mph making it the fastest four-door sedan in the world at the time. Maserati made 776 Series II models by the time the generation ended in 1969.

The second generation of the Maserati Quattroporte debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1974 and went into production shortly thereafter. The Quattroporte was nearly dead on arrival. Due to a downturn in the economy and the company's financial woes, Maserati produced just 13 Quattroportes between 1974 and 1978.

Maserati Quattroporte third generation 3rdThe Maserati Quattroporte Royale was a luxurious take on the new generation of the sedan.Photo courtesy of Maserati

The Quattroporte made a triumphant return to dealership lots in earnest in the late 1970s. In December 1979 the tradition of Quattroportes being owned by the world's elite, continued with the delivery of a Quattroporte to Italian President Sandro Pertini at the Quirinal Palace in Rome.

This version of the sedan featured a more high-end interior than Maserati's had before. It was powered by variants of the engines available in the first generation Quattroporte. The car was on the market until 1990. Maserati sold 2,145 Quattroporte IIs.

In 1982, an order was placed for an armored Quattroporte for the President of Italy, Sandro Pertini, to use. The model, with a Dark Aquamarine paint job featured a beige velvet interior. Its large ashtray featured a pipe holder between the rear seats, a modification to the original design requested by Pertini himself. There was also a bar cabinet, telephone system, and intercom that could address people outside the car. All four windows were electronically controlled, as was the roof.

Maserati Quattroporte third generation 3rdThe interior of the third-generation Quattroporte was significantly more upscale than the first and second generation.Photo courtesy of Maserati

In 1986 the "Royale" version of the Quattropporte was launched as one of the most luxurious to date. It had soft leather seats, burr walnut dashboard and door panels, a radio telephone, and a stow-away folding table. Under its hood was a powerful 4.9-liter V8 engine that achieved 300 horsepower. Just 51 Royale models were built.

The car became more closely associated with celebrities in the 1980s. Famous Modenese tenor Luciano Pavarotti was one of them. Today, the list of celebrities who have driven Maseratis is long. Singer Gwen Stefani, soccer star Lionel Messi, Olympic champion Apollo Ohno, comedian Jay Leno, and Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper make the roster.

Maserati Quattroporte 3rd generationLuciano Pavarotti poses in his third-generation Quattroporte.Photo courtesy of Maserati

The Quattroporte is still the official car of the President of Italy. Current President Sergio Mattarella used a sixth-generation version of the sedan with a Blu Istituzionale paint job and Black Piamo (black lacquered wood) interior that is paired with Pieno Fiore leather. The model was powered by a 530-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V8.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Property Showcase

Automotive Map is moving to Your Test Driver

New website

Big news! Automotive Map has moved to a new site and has changed its name to Your Test Driver. You'll notice the same format, writing style, and content on the new site. That's because Your Test Driver is run by Chris Teague, the former editor of Automotive Map. We hope to see you there for continued coverage of news, reviews, and features from around the automotive industry.

2023 Nissan Leaf pricing announced

Updated EV

Nissan is nearing the release of the Ariya, its first new EV in several years. Even so, the brand hasn't forgotten about its first mass-market EV, the Leaf. It was an early entrant in the space, and has been an efficient, affordable, commuter car for over a decade. The car got a mild facelift for 2023, with updated wheels and exterior styling accents. Today, Nissan announced pricing for the Leaf, which starts at just under $29,000.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf feels lively, despite middling power numbers.Nissan

The base Leaf comes with a 40-kWh battery capable of delivering a 149-mile range. Its 110-kW electric motor produces 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The Leaf SV Plus features a 60-kWh battery for a range of 212 miles. It comes with a 160-kW motor that makes 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Nissan backs all Leaf models with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

ProPilot Assist comes standard for the Leaf SV Plus, and brings a full suite of advanced driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, driver alertness features, and a surround-view monitor. All Leaf models get Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf SV Plus offers up to 212 miles of range.Nissan

The new Leaf starts at $28,895, which includes a $1,095 destination charge. The Leaf SV Plus starts at $36,895. The 2023 Nissan Leaf is on sale now, and may be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to receive a state tax credit or other incentives.

2022 Nissan Altima: Three things to know

Comfortable midsize sedan

The Nissan Altima may not get the attention or the praise that the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord get, but it's a solid entry in an ultra-competitive segment. It's also one of few options in its class with available all-wheel drive. We spent a week with the 2022 Nissan Altima SR Midnight Edition with AWD and came away from the experience impressed. Here are three things to know about the car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima is a Good Value

With a starting price in the mid-$20,000 range and available all-wheel drive, it's hard to complain about value here. The Altima is still reasonably priced at the top end, where it maxes out at around $35,000 before options and fees. That's a great value for a spacious, comfortable car like the Altima, and with all-wheel drive it's a great all-weather commuter.

2022 Nissan AltimaNissan offers the Altima in several configurations.Nissan

2022 Altima Interior Space and Comfort are Generous

It's easy to ignore Nissan's Zero Gravity seats as another marketing buzzword, but they are legitimately comfortable and supportive in a way that not many others are. Available leather upholstery and contrast stitching give the interior an upscale feel, but even lower trims' cloth upholstery feels nice and works well from a visual standpoint. Up front, there's room for both passengers to stretch out, and the driver won't feel cramped on leg or headroom. Back-seat passengers get a similar treatment, as there's plenty of space for adults and kids. Parents will find an easy time loading and unloading car seats as well.

2023 Nissan AltimaThe Altima gets an update for 2023 with fresh styling and more tech.Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Altima Gets an Update

Nissan is refreshing the Altima for 2023 with a facelift, new tech, and better safety features. The new car will go on sale in the fall of 2022 and will come in several trims, including one with Nissan's truck VC-Turbo engine. The Altima's most noticeable update will be its front fascia, which is all-new for 2023. Nissan gives the car a fresh grille design that varies depending on the trim, and LED headlights will be standard. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, and the Altima is available with all-wheel drive, ProPilot Assist, and more.

View All Listings