Maserati Medici II – 1976
Remember when luxury saloons, rather than gargantuan SUVs, were symbols of power and success? Well this Giugiaro design study clearly stated its intent by taking the name of one of the most powerful families from Renaissance Italy. The original Medici I, based on the Maserati Indy chassis, was unveiled in 1974 as a 5.0-litre V8-powered limousine with six velour covered seats, four of which faced each other in the back. However, after its unveiling at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, Giugiario decided he was unhappy with the car’s front end styling and returned to the drawing board.
The result two years later was the Medici II, which swapped the original car’s unfeasibly low noise to a higher profile front and therefore better gelled with the rest of the lines. Inside the car was now a four-seater, albeit with each one looking like a business class berth and swathed in leather as was the rest of the interior. Cabin equipment now included a minibar and fridge, desk, TV and radiophone. Externally the car’s styling would go on to strongly influence later Giugiaro designs including the next generation of Quattroporte, Audi Coupe and Lancia Delta.