Maserati Ghibli, The Trident Saloon For All Audiences
Under the baton of the FCA Group (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), the Italian manufacturer Maserati is in an expansion phase with which it intends to position itself as a direct rival of firms such as BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar among others. To achieve this goal, new models have been added to its repertoire, and the Maserati Ghibli is one of them.
It takes up the nomenclature of a famous sports coupe from the 60s and 70s, and later from the 90s. Now it arrives in a saloon format, as a rival of heavyweights such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, which places it in the premium E segment .
Design
Maintaining the overall styling of the E-segment, the Maserati Ghibli boasts a slim 4.97-meter four-door silhouette. However, the outline of its bodywork mitigates the feeling of length, which is why you think it is a smaller car until you see it in person.
It is available in three different styles: normal, GranLusso and GranSport. While the first two are the same on the outside, the GranLusso offers an extra luxury in the cabin. For its part, the GranSport stands out from these with a specific design that includes new bumpers and a new, sportier interior.
The front hem has the new corporate language of the brand, with the characteristic grille accompanied by sharp headlights with Full LED technology. According to the brand, its design is inspired by the classic Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta from the mid-20th century and which we will talk about soon.
The profile stands out for the triple opening in the front wing and the force that the rear axle gains thanks to the lines of the bodywork. This is a widely used design trick intended to emphasize the fact that it is a rear wheel drive vehicle.
No less special is the rear, with some lamps – also LED – in whimsical shapes and a generously sized diffuser with four tailpipes. Additionally, the tall boot lid is hinted at by a faint spoiler.
On the occasion of the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the brand has presented the limited edition Nerissimo, in which black takes center stage. Rims, chrome, bodywork and even the entire cabin – which combines leather with carbon fiber – is black, with small details in red, such as the brake calipers or the interior stitching.
Cabin
The interior of the Maserati Ghibli is presented in full dress, with leather on all surfaces accompanied by aluminum trim, also available in carbon fiber. It does not neglect on-board technology and connectivity, with an 8.4-inch touch screen presiding over the dashboard and reducing buttons to a minimum.
This system –MTC + – acts as a command center for functions ranging from heating the seats to creating a WiFi network inside the car. It also keeps up to date in terms of connectivity with the user; offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Unfortunately, since the American ‘youtuber’ Doud Demuro made an analysis of a Maserati Ghibli, it has been evident that, at least, the adjustments of the interior panels are not typical of a car in this price range.
Engines
The extensive range of available versions of the Maserati Ghibli is based solely on a diesel and a gasoline engine; the latter with two power levels. Both share the V6 configuration and the three-liter displacement ; They differ in turbocharging, simple in the case of diesel and double in gasoline.
With all this, the diesel engine is positioned as the smallest option in the repertoire, with a power output of 275 hp. Thanks to the use of a twin turbo, the petrol engines offer 350 hp and 430 hp in the S versions. Furthermore, the Q4 all-wheel drive is only available in combination with the latter.
In any case, the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission remains . It should be noted that both the all-wheel drive system and the transmission collect data that they use to adapt their operation to the driving style of each driver. Finally, the GranSports include brakes of greater size and performance.
Prices
In general, the Ghibli range is made up of four variants: Ghibli, Ghibli S, Ghibli S Q4 and Ghibli Diesel, which in turn are divided into three styles (normal, GranLusso and GranSport). The first of all is available from 88,800 euros, 100,200 if the GranLusso or GranSport is chosen.
Above this is the Ghibli S, from 103,800 euros for the standard and 113,900 for the supplementary styles. If you have a preference for Q4 all-wheel drive, prices increase to 107,300 and 117,400 euros.
In some respects, the Maserati Ghibli is positioned ahead of its direct competition and in many others it lags behind. However, the quality of the biscione product cannot be doubted and that, above all, it is a Maserati.
Maserati Ghibli data
- 4 doors
- 5 seats
- Trunk: 500 liters
- Rear or all-wheel drive Q4
- V6 engines with powers of 275, 350 and 430 hp
- Consumption and emissions: from 6.8 l / 100 km and 207 g / km of CO2
- ZF eight-speed automatic transmission
- Price: from 78,500 euros
