There’s a trick torque-vectoring limited-slip differential at the rear, while the front diff is mounted just ahead of the engine, helping to keep the V6 low and between the axles, thus aiding the centre of gravity, the polar moment of inertia and the weight distribution, which is a commendable 52:48, front to rear.
So the raw ingredients appear compelling, but what’s the Trofeo like to drive? Well, before we get to that, there’s a caveat. Once again we’ve been given a new Maserati on winter tyres in temperatures quite a few degrees above their ideal operating conditions. So while we can get a fairly reliable steer on its dynamic demeanour, we must hold our definitive verdict for when we can try it on representative rubber.
One thing is for certain, however, and that’s the fact that the Nettuno lacks the aural authority of the old Granturismo’s operatic V8. There’s no lack of lag-free muscle and its outright urge is almost supercar-silly (Maserati claims 3.5sec for the 0-62mph sprint), but at low to medium revs, the directly injected engine has the sort of gruff but reasonably refined voice you would expect from a diesel V6, which is a little out of keeping with the car’s supposedly sophisticated shtick.
Engaging Sport or Corsa driving mode (gratifyingly easy, thanks to the handy steering wheel-mounted rotary selector) sharpens responses and uncorks the exhaust system for some enhanced snap, crackle and pop, but there’s still none of the spine-tingling theatrics that made the atmo V8 such a sonic treat. It’s not a deal-breaker as such, but the lack of mechanical musicality seems particularly disappointing, given Maserati’s back catalogue.
On the plus side, the gearbox slices quickly and cleanly through its ratios whether you’re leaving it to its own devices or taking manual control by pulling the slender alloy paddles behind the steering wheel. The brakes are strong and progressive too, once you’ve got past the slightly sharp initial response. And as you would expect from four-wheel drive, traction is limpet-like off the line.