Maserati Quattroporte - April 2008

The Maserati Quattroporte is the most elegant way to ferry yourself and three well-heeled friends across the French Riveria, around the Italian Lakes or along Skegness Pier.

But what if you've a pair of Great Danes and an Irish Wolfhound to take along for the ride, too? What then?

This is the Quattroporte estate, a dog 'n' luggage-lugging supercar conversion from Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring. Maserati has had a hand in the project too, but says it won't produce an estate of its own because of the investment required.

Carrozzeria Touring, however, plans to build the estate on a made-to-order basis, and will charge you around £200,000 for the pleasure - but at least that includes the donor car.

OK, it's not cheap, but how many other four-door, four-seater, big-booted supercars offer you a four-shotgun storage compartment with securing chain?

That's a rhetorical question, that is.