The 2005 Maserati Quattroporte isn’t one to stand out in crowd. This is a classic design of sensual, flowing lines created by one of the world’s most celebrated designers, Sergio Pininfarina. The ultimate in subtlety, the Maserati glides into a parking lot or valet station with an elegance and poise common to European luxury cars – particularly those from Italy.

The large oval-shaped grille is dominated by a prominent trident emblem, creating potential trauma in any fellow motorist looking at the Quattroporte through a rearview mirror. Surely, any driver of such an ill-positioned vehicle is expecting to be swallowed up by the beast.

Looking longer and lower than it really is, the Quattroporte’s long wheelbase is accentuated by the short front and rear overhangs, while the long slim hood melds into the steep rake of the windscreen as the body flows back into a GT fastback finale.

The interior offers plenty of comfortable space for five occupants, with doors that open wide for easy entry and exit. The seats are supportively firm, yet offer the comfort of your favorite leather chair, and the fat leather-wrapped steering wheel rim rests comfortably in the driver’s hands for optimum vehicle control.

Many luxury automobiles try to be more complicated then need be, hiding switches and controls in places you wouldn’t expect or easily find. In the Quattroporte, however, every control is easy to reach and operate. The one caveat to this rule was the compact disc player, which is mounted under the steering column. You nearly have to stand on your head to insert discs. But then, listening to the big V8’s swan might be all the music you need.