Maserati Ghibli review, test drive

The road ahead is even less trafficked. It leads practically nowhere, and the dual carriage way has given way to a narrower two-lane road. Still, as I’m more confident with the car now, I push it a bit harder. Winding the engine up to 6500rpm is a special treat that I indulge in more and more, the blare from the exhausts bouncing off the stone walls feeling just heady. And the level of performance steps up considerably too. In Sport mode, the engine pulls harder and harder as you wind it faster and this eagerness is really quite charming, especially considering the fact that this motor is turbocharged. This road is lined with dozens of tunnels and I take every opportunity to wind the windows down and extend the engine fully, the scream and blare from the four pipes adding massively to the experience as we rocket out of the tunnel into sunshine.   

 

After driving the car over these roads for over an hour, I’m seriously impressed. It feels fast, agile and its various components, like the steering, brakes and gearbox, all gel nicely together. What’s special, however, is the poise and balance that this 2016 car seems to possess. The more I press on over these open, flowing mountain roads, the more confident the car feels. It goads you into going even faster, and because you’re enjoying yourself so much, you generally oblige. And that helps make this a fairly special and involving car to drive. 

 

Things aren’t perfect, however. Yes, the hydraulic steering is good, but it’s not exactly flooded with feel, and it doesn’t feel as precise as some of the best units around. Turn-in also isn’t as sharp and the front end clearly needs more bite. And while performance is great in isolation, you can’t help but compare it with cars like the BMW M5 and E63 AMG which, frankly, are at another level altogether.