Maserati Quattroporte

Very literal naming system from Maserati here - Quattroporte simply means 'four-door'. So take it as read, this is the Italian manufacturer's performance saloon. And very good it is too. It looks delicious, sounds operatic and drives superbly, but is best sampled with the full automatic rather than the too-specific 'DuoSelect' paddle 'box. There's plenty of room though, and as a stylish long-distance cruiser it can't be beaten - especially if you get the adaptive damping offered by the 'Skyhook' system. A Ferrari-derived 4.2-litre V8 with 400bhp makes the Quattroporte quite capable of dealing with all but the most determined of challengers; equipped with the 'DuoSelect' version of Maserati's own 'CambioCorsa' F1 gearbox the QP will hit 62mph in just 5.2 seconds and run all the way to 171mph. Luca de Montezemolo, de facto boss of everything interesting and Italian and widely regarded as one of the coolest men in the world, is chauffeur-driven in a Quattroporte. If it's good enough for him.