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The Rolls-Royce Phantom leads this month's list of discounts

Every month, we take a look at vehicle sales data in America to pick out the vehicles with the largest monetary discount. Usually, the list is dominated by high-performance two-door luxury sports cars. This month is different. Much to our surprise, the 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom stands above all others with an average discount of $18,588 off the price quoted on its window sticker. Now, it bears mentioning that an $18,000-plus discount still only represents 3.46% of its $537,500 average retail price, and that the resulting $518,912 cost to drive off the showroom floor still makes the Phantom an extremely expensive range-topping luxury sedan. Still, even very wealthy people won't snicker at that kind of savings. Up next is another unlikely newcomer to the biggest-discount chart: the 2020 Porsche Taycan. The electric super sedan's average sticker price of $152,250 is cut to $135,707 after a discount of $16,453 is lopped off. That represents a savings of nearly 11%. We can't say how many of the Taycan's buyers over the last month will be able to claim tax rebates due to the Taycan's status as an electric vehicle, but that could potentially represent a further cut off the car's sticker. Rounding out the top three is the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte. Buyers of this Italian luxury sedan are saving an average of $13,839 for an average transaction price of $87,646. We normally only share the top three, but this month's list is interesting enough that we'll share some more. In fourth and fifth place are the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (with an average $13,239 discount) and the 2021 BMW 7 Series (with an average $12,435 discount) followed by the 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith — interestingly enough also with a savings of 3.46% — and the 2020 Maserati Levante and Ghibli. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

High school design students sketch out FCA's 'ultimate status vehicle'

Each year since 2013, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) hosts a design contest for high school students called Drive for Design intended to educate and encourage automotive career hopefuls. For 2019, FCA prompted 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to imagine the "ultimate status vehicle." The top three choices include two Alfa Romeos and a Maserati. FCA named first, second, and third places in the contest. Maximillian Cooper (lead image) from Design and Architecture Senior High in Miami won first place. Mason Ross (first inline image) from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Wash., took second. Vincent Piaskowski (Maserati image) from Ernest W. Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Mich., placed third. The three winners of the contest will be awarded with numerous valuable prizes. They will get behind-the-scenes tours at the FCA U.S. Product Design studios, as well as mentoring time with some of FCA's designers. They will also get scholarships to attend the Precollege Summer Experience Transportation Design program at the College for Creative Studies. Lastly, they'll have the honor of serving as junior judges at the EyesOn Design Car Show. Although each sketch has a unique look, all three take the same approach: cab-forward, bubble-top supercar coupes with dramatic lines and curves. Piaskowski's shows direct inspiration from a shark, but we wouldn't be surprised if all three students have special places in their hearts for the Pininfarina Maserati Birdcage Concept.

Maserati offers Extra10 limited powertrain warranty on all new vehicles

Maserati is still trying to get its sales forecasts to match its sales results. A raft of new product should keep the Italians on the list of vehicles to compare when shopping for luxury performance, but reliability concerns continue to cast shadows. With the Grecale on the way, Maserati will likely begin luring buyers focused a lot more on reliability than the usual Quattroporte owner. To address potential mechanical doubts, Maserati's offering a new Extra10 Warranty Program around the world on every new model to allay some fears. The 10-year limited powertrain warranty covers the engine and transmission or transaxle. The good news is that not only will it be available to North and South American buyers from October 1, 2022, certain current owners whose Maseratis are no more than 9.5 years old will be eligible, and the warranty doesn't cap mileage.  It won't be free, but few such warranties are. It's offered as an add-on to Maserati's extended warranty offerings, which can cover a powertrain for up to seven years and unlimited miles so long as extensions are purchased within the warranty and mileage periods. The present plans already include benefits like roadside assistance and help with onward travel. Extra10 throws in other sweeteners like pick-up and return service and a courtesy car. The automaker has made Extra10 transferrable, too, "aimed at consolidating the value of its cars over time, guaranteeing total peace of mind by combining top performance and the driving pleasure typical of every Trident car." Finally, Maserati says "Customers have the option of purchasing extended powertrain coverage in one-year increments (e.g., 5th year to 10th year of ownership)," so there's no large lump sum necessary.  Once October hits, interested owners should visit their Maserati dealers to see if their vehicles are eligible. The program excludes cars that have been raced "or tampered with," cars that have been in major accidents, and cars that are stolen. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.