The inspiration for the Maserati Sciàdipersia, introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018, was the three Maserati 5000 GTs that Touring built in the late 1950s, the first of which had been ordered by the Shah of Persia, a noted Maserati enthusiast. And like its illustrious forebear, the 21st Century Sciàdipersia is based on a Maserati: the GranTurismo two-door coupé. Thus the Maserati Sciàdipersia Coupé has the 454bhp 4.7-litre V8 engine found in the sportier GranTurismo models and an MC Race Shift robotised six-speed manual paddle-shift gearbox or ZF six-speed automatic transmission with torque converter. Weighing some 120kg (264lb) less than the GranTurismo, the Sciàdipersia accelerates to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds on its way to an estimated top speed of 299km/h (186mph). The interior of the Maserati Sciàdipersia Coupé also remains largely to GranTurismo pattern, albeit enhanced with opulent Italian leather and brushed aluminium trim. Externally, though, the Sciàdipersia departs radically from its donor car, featuring a completely redesigned body loosely based on the Touring 5000 GT’s low-slung three-box silhouette, though considerably sleeker. According to Touring Superleggera: “As with every masterpiece, it all starts with a simple concept: the arrow, slimming down the centre sections to extend the perceived length. Its natural dynamism is further enhanced by the front and rear fender ridgelines. Each one would be hand-built to order and only 15 cars were planned for production, though Touring Superleggera refused to quote a fixed price as that would vary depending on an owner’s personal specification. Currently the limited series is sold-out, only one Maserati Sciàdipersia Coupé has been completed, while all the other ordered, are cabriolet.