Two Maserati staples have reached the end of production, with only one set to return in the future. The Quattroporte has been produced in six forms so far since 1969 and an electric successor is set to arrive towards the end of the decade. The V8 engine will not be making a comeback though, with the one-off and aptly named Grand Finale being the last trident-endowed car to have eight cylinders powering it.

Since making its debut in 2013, the sixth generation Quattroporte had always been something of an outsider in the large executive class. Bigger than a BMW 5 Series, but broadly similar in size to the short wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Quattroporte always intentionally leant on style and driving dynamics, but perhaps unintentionally majored on exclusivity towards the end of its time on sale. Along with a pair of 3.0 litre V6 engines burning petrol or diesel, the range-topping 3.8 litre F154 engine developed by Ferrari found a home under the long bonnet of the four-door flagship.

Being based on the most potent Trofeo model, the Grand Finale has 572 bhp and 538 lb ft (729 Nm) at its disposal, needing just 4.5 seconds to reach 62 mph and having a top speed of 203 mph. A ZF-built 8-speed automatic gearbox handles the transmission of performance from the engine bay to the rear wheels, via a self-locking differential. Double wishbone suspension features at the front, with a multi-link setup at the rear, and 21” wheels connected to each axle.

The Grand Finale has been specified almost perfectly to my eye, with Maserati’s Furioserie customisation team putting some excellent touches on the car. The deep blue paint is known as Blu Nobile, and the carbon fibre exterior trim is also finished in this colour. The brake callipers are silver, sitting behind two-tone light and dark silver rims. The window surrounds and brand badging is bright silver, while the Trofeo wordmark on the front wings, grille bars and V8 badge on the boot lid are all dark. Personally, I’d have had light trim all around for a more consistent contrast to the lovely dark metalwork, but one place where I have no complaints is the interior.

Some people are getting bored of the blue and tan combination, but I am not among that group. There’s a reason the colour scheme is frequently used, and the Grand Finale uses it to great effect. Tan leather is found on the seats and door cards, while black leather features on the steering wheel and B-pillar, and black fabrics are used for the floor and headlining. When looking closer, the touches from the Furioserie team become evident; the headrests feature the trident logo, while the interior trim shuns carbon fibre in favour of burl wood; my favourite application is the thin ring of wood that runs around the entire circumference of the steering wheel.