The Ghibli is currently the entry point into Maserati ownership. It's been around since 2013 but its lines have aged well and in top S Q4 trim, it makes a strong 430-hp and 406 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine. Yet the power-hungry German opposition has been pushing the boundaries in the luxury sedan segment. Cars like the 450-hp Audi S6 handily out accelerate the Ghibli while the latest 456-hp M550i xDrive is quicker still. Let's not even mention the similarly priced M5 and AMG E63 models.

Maserati is unlikely to offer a more powerful variant seeing as this would eclipse its range-topping Quattroporte sedans and the carmaker's focus seems to be more on creating fast SUVs at the moment. Enter Novitec, the renowned tuning company that has offered customization programs for some of the world's top marques such as Ferrari and McLaren. The tuning house now offers a 'refinement program' for the entire Ghibli range, right from the base 345-hp Ghibli up to the top S Q4. Courtesy of its in-house N-Tronic auxiliary control unit, the base model's 350 hp gets bumped to 412 hp and the S and S Q4 see an improvement of 64 hp giving them a total of 494 hp.

That gives the all-wheel-drive S Q4 a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a 185-mph top speed. The big bump in torque to 487 lb-ft should greatly aid in-gear acceleration and help keep the Ghibli stay competitive with those pesky Germans. Visual improvements include carbon-fiber aerodynamic add-ons while 22-inch Novitec NM1 alloy wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero tires and height-adjustable suspension improve dynamic ability. The Ghibli has always had a less than special cabin and exclusive bespoke interior finishes are available on request to give it a much-needed upgrade.