New owner Ferrari has breathed new life into its former rival, Maserati, as exemplified by models like the gorgeous Quattroporte sedan (the name is Italian for "four-door" -- whimsical, eh?). If a high-winding 400-hp, 4.2-litre V8 connected to a 6-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission (or a new-for-'07 conventional automatic) doesn't push your buttons, maybe choosing the interior dcor will do it. Selectable features include several roof liners, a dozen or so stitching colours, and 10 shades of leather upholstery with custom leather luggage to match. As Maserati says, it offers "the kind of couture luxury that only the lucky few can afford." So if you want to make your neighbour's S-Class look common as dirt ...

Exclusivity, Ferrari engineering

No neighbourhood dealer