We miss the legendary Ferrari V8-powered Quattroporte that breathed its last breath in 2024 as a one-off Gran Finale Edition. The Quattroporte and the smaller, more affordable Ghibli sedans are no more. Maserati has spent the past few years rebuilding its range around low-volume, high-style machines such as the Grecale SUV, GranTurismo coupe, GranCabrio convertible, and MC20 supercar. But the sport-luxury sedan hole remains gaping, and the sales figures aren't kind. Maserati's global sales have dropped by 85 percent since 2017, having sold 7,900 vehicles compared to 51,000.2021 Maserati Quattroporte TrofeoZac PalmerThe sedan situation could change, and there couldn't be a better time. Maserati has indicated that it is reassessing its future product plans, and a new flagship sedan could once again make sense—provided it is more distinctive and more modern than the Ghibli and Quattroporte models it would replace. The next Maserati sedan has to go up against the Porsche Panamera, Mercedes S-Class, and the BMW 7 Series. The new Maserati sedan would have to be emotionally dramatic to look at, genuinely engaging to drive, and luxurious without becoming conventional.Maserati Flavor, Better LooksAmos Kwon using Perplexity AIThe Quattroporte name has long represented Maserati at its best. The original 1963 model effectively created the high-performance luxury-sedan formula, combining four-door practicality with the sort of speed and presence usually reserved for exotic two-door grand tourers. Later generations kept that spirit alive with varying degrees of success. The fifth-generation Quattroporte, introduced in the 2000s, remains a particularly compelling example of what Maserati can do when it gets the proportions right: a long hood, compact cabin, pronounced rear haunches, and an unmistakably Italian sense of occasion.Amos Kwon using Perplexity AIImagine a fastback-bodied four-door with a roofline that flows into a short rear deck, sitting somewhere between a classic sedan and a four-door grand tourer. A low, wide nose would carry Maserati's signature grille, flanked by slim vertical headlights and sculpted front fenders. It would be more mature and more practical than the GranTurismo, longer and lower than the Grecale, and far more exotic-looking than most luxury sedans.Amos Kwon using Perplexity AIIt should look more cohesive than both the Quattorporte and the somewhat awkward Ghibli. Proportion, elegance, and a dose of Italian muscle should prevail. A long wheelbase, cab-rear stance, broad shoulders, and proper rear haunches would give it the right Maserati aesthetic. Quad pipes peeking out of a carbon fiber rear diffuser, a matching carbon fiber decklid spoiler, and the iconic trident emblazoned between layered taillights should round out the set from the rear view.The Cabin Needs Drama and UsabilityAmos Kwon using Perplexity AIMaserati interiors have sometimes struggled to match the visual drama of the company's exterior designs. A next-generation sedan would need to change that. Stellantis hasn't exactly given its models superb interiors, but the Grecale shows that they can. The sedan needs to look and feel more special.The cabin should feel more like an Italian lounge than a German executive office. Think open-pore wood or carbon fiber on the dash, doors and center console, along with brushed metal, richly dyed high-end leather, modest screens, and even an old-school analog clock front and center.Amos Kwon using Perplexity AIRear-seat accommodation matters, too. The old Quattroporte was a legitimate four-door sedan, not merely a stretched sports car. A new model should offer enough space for adults in the second row, particularly in a long-wheelbase or rear-seat-focused version aimed at buyers who might otherwise consider a Porsche Panamera Executive, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or even a Lucid Air.Amos Kwon using Perplexity AIA long wheelbase version of this car would cater to the driver rather than being a chauffeur sedan first. But it should be comfortable enough that owners would be comfy in a spacious and opulent second row. That would bode well for affluent buyers who want the option of being driven, as well as enjoying time behind the wheel of a characteristically driver-focused Maserati.Final ThoughtsMaserati's future should clearly not depend entirely on SUVs and limited-production sports cars. The company has too much history in the sport-luxury sedan category to abandon it permanently. It needs a truly compelling sedan, and the next one has to strike all the right notes. A new Quattroporte-sized four-door could give Maserati something it currently lacks: a practical flagship that blends performance, luxury, and Italian character in one package. It would need to be beautiful, fast, and different from the rest of the field.
