Automobile Council 2026 was full of surprises, but one in particular caught everyone's eye. At the heart of the Makuhari Messe, among dozens of exceptional models, including of the Lancia Delta models we mentioned earlier, A bright blue Italian sedan immediately caught the eye of visitors. This car is a Maserati Quattroporte IV, and not just any car. Exhibited by Japanese specialist Lusso Cars, it literally dominated the event... right up to winning the 2026 Audience Award.
A unique, off-catalogue color
At first glance, many might have thought of a Ghibli. But on closer inspection, the details are unmistakable: four doors, a more statuesque silhouette... and above all, an extremely rare configuration. Under the hood, this Quattroporte hides a 335 hp, twin-turbocharged 3.2 V8, identifiable by the inscription “otto cilindri”. But what makes it truly exceptional is its color.
Called Blu Sprint, this color has never appeared in the catalog before. Maserati. It was specially commissioned at the time by a determined customer who was prepared to go to any length to obtain this Ferrari-inspired shade. The color code, still visible in the trunk on an original handwritten label, testifies to the artisanal and almost intimate nature of this order.
A Maserati frozen in time
What's most striking, beyond its rarity, is its state of preservation. Almost 30 years after its launch, this Quattroporte looks as good as new. The interior, dressed in deep blue leather to match the bodywork, is impeccably preserved. The woodwork shines as brightly as on the first day, while every detail exudes the care taken by its successive owners.
With only 25,000 km on the clock, this Maserati has not been forgotten in a garage. It has been cared for, used with respect, and kept in near-ideal condition.
Representing an era
This Quattroporte IV is not just a beautiful piece. It embodies a key period for Maserati, just before it came under the control of Ferrari. Its design, by Marcello Gandini, blends the angular lines inherited from the Biturbo with a more fluid modernity. A unique signature, now emblematic. Ordering such a configuration at the time, with a V8 and manual gearbox, was already an exception. Adding a totally customized color scheme makes this car virtually impossible to find today.
The Audience Award
Opposite it, another rarity was on display: the Lancia Thema 8.32, equipped with a Ferrari V8. An almost unreal pairing, given how rare these models have become in such condition.
But it was the Maserati Blu Sprint that won the hearts of the Japanese public. Behind this award, there is a human story: that of a determined first owner, then of careful collectors who preserved this rolling heritage.
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