Engine: DOHC V8, 3217cc
Fuel system: Magneti Marelli Electronic fuel injection and twin IHI turbochargers, one per bank.
Power output: 370bhp @ 6250rpm
Max speed: 174mph
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 5.0 sec
Weight: 1590 Kg

In 2007 any talk of Italian supercars usually means Ferrari or Lamborghini. However, these two are Johnny-come-lately's with the first roadgoing Ferrari built in 1947 and the first Lambo in 1964. No, the true aristocrats of the Italian supercar world are Maserati. Founded in 1914 by the Maserati brothers in Bologna, their cars were hugely significant in racing circles - first Targa Florio victory 1926, a landspeed record in 1929, first GP win 1930, water speed record 1931, first Indy 500 win 1939. During that time they also were renowned for innovation - including the first appearance of hydraulic brakes in 1933! War stopped this relentless success, but afterwards normal service was resumed!

Now with Ferrari starting to become a force in world motorsport, Maserati upped its game to keep ahead of the new boys. Led by the incomparable Juan Manuel Fangio and helped by Sir Stirling Moss, they dominated from 1954 until they withdrew from F1 in 1957 with the 250F winning the championship each year. Whilst still dabbling in racing with the very successful 'Birdcage' car, the company forcused on producing stunning roadgoing GT cars - notably the 3500GT of 1957 and the 5000GT of 1960, then the Sebring, Mistral, Indy and Quattroporte, then the fastest saloon in the world!

In 1968, Citroen took a majority shareholding hoping to use Maserati technology to help create 'halo' products for their everyday (albeit interesting!) offerings. A V6 was developed to be used in both the Citroen SM and new baby Maserati (to compete with Ferrari's Dino) - the Merak. Also borne from the fruits of this marriage was the Bora supercar. Sadly divorce wasn't far away, and the oil crisis of the early 70's forced Citroen to concentrate on its core business, and in 1975 Maserati was sold to De Tomaso. Under his stewardship Maserati built forgettable looking coupes and saloons, and lurched from crisis to crisis whilst gaining a notoriety for unreliability. The fast but fragile 2.0 V6 Biturbo was the worst offender - it developed into the Ghibli, and later a V8 biturbo was designed for a car named the Shamal.

Bankrupty in 1993 caused Fiat to step in and take over, and in 1997 the most significant step in the rebirth of Maserati was taken - it was put under the wing of another branch of the Fiat group - Ferrari. With a proper development process put in place with the aim of increasing reliability, the Shamal's engine was dusted down and fitted into a body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro - who designed the beautiful Bora decades earlier - and launched in 1997 to a rapturous welcome. Much smoother and discreet than the products of it's sibling, the 3200GT sold well and has re-established Maserati as a real player in luxury automotive circles. Oh, and it's not slow either. With 370 bhp on tap it is faster round Ferrari's Fiorano test track than a 550 Maranello........

Weekday points: 10; Weekend day points: 20.