There's some initial understeer on tight corners, but it abates on fast, open bends and throttle-controlled pointability takes over

This is confusing. We’ve had a QP GT and a GTS, both with the old 4.2-litre V8. They vanished and the 4.7-litre S came in their place, using a version of the engine seen first in the GranTurismo S and the Alfa 8C. And now there's a GTS again.

Which is? An S with more power (440 against 430 bhp), single-setting Bilstein dampers controlling shorter, stiffer springs, and various cosmetic changes including black ribs for the concave front grille. Also changed is the software for the gearbox, although all Quattroportes now have a ZF automatic and none a robotised manual.

Simple tweaks, but effective. A GranTurismo S-like exhaust system bypasses auxiliary silencers in Sport mode and sounds lovely. Bigger shift paddles actuate a transmission which behaves more like a good robotised manual than a true auto, although it's smoother. It blips up the revs on a downshift, it won't kick down and will stay on the rev limiter in manual mode, and it has a launch control. The shifts are faster and a bit jerkier than in the S, even in Normal mode.

And the handling? The revised suspension, plus 20in wheels with 35-profile tyres front, 30-profile rear, gives a surprisingly good ride. There's some initial understeer on tight corners, but it abates on fast, open bends and throttle-controlled pointability takes over. This is a seriously fast, engaging and handsome saloon with more soul than anything comparable. Next to this a BMW 7-series seems a very grey device.