With the Sport button pressed and the exhaust valves wide open, the rumble of the V6 under acceleration fills the air, echoing from one hillside to the next. The ‘little’ Maserati is in its element on winding roads, displaying a delightful Italianness. More compact than the Quattroporte – 4.97 m as opposed to 5.26 m – the Ghibli reveals its confident lines, skilfully blending references to the brand’s past with contemporary presence. The long wheelbase and short overhangs, not to mention the three small gills on the front wings in the style of the Granturismo coupé, give it a dynamism worthy of a Mercedes CLS . That’s what makes this Italian stand out, coming up against the most highly-rated saloons, such as the Audi A6 and A7, BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF. The newcomer is looking straight at the big boys.