Maserati Ghibli is luxury and power redefined
Maserati's latest addition to its model range is the Maserati Ghibli – a four-door sports executive sedan and first E-segment model by the Italian luxury brand.
With the Ghibli, the Italian marque produces two concurrent four-door sedan models, so named in line with Maserati’s long tradition of naming cars after winds. The name “Ghibli” originates from the hot and dry, dust-bearing desert wind descending from the interior highlands of Libya toward the Mediterranean Sea.
Both versions of the petrol range, Ghibli and Ghibli S, feature a new-generation twin turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. With its power output of 306kW and 550Nm, the Ghibli S races to 100km/h in 5.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 285km/h. The Ghibli delivers 246kW and 500Nm and has a top speed of 263km/h and acceleration of 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.
The Ghibli Diesel is the first diesel-powered car in Maserati’s history, with its 3.0 litre V6 engine producing 205kW and 600Nm. The new Ghibli shares parts of its core architecture, its chassis, its suspension architecture, the V6 engine and the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with the flagship limousine Quattroporte. It is, however, 173mm shorter in its wheelbase and 291mm shorter overall, as well as 50kg lighter.
Dynamic and precise handling is guaranteed by the car’s perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution, while the sophisticated suspension system and limited slip differential make every ride even more enjoyable. Achieving five stars on the Euro NCAP crash test, the Ghibli provides peace of mind for all occupants.
Maserati Ghibli is luxury and power redefined. Picture: Supplied
The Ghibli can be fitted with a selection of rims, ranging from 18- to 21-inch in size – all enhancing the car’s visual appearance and engineered to lower the unsprung mass, which improves grip and handling.
While the 18-, 19- and 20-inch alloys are crafted from flow-forming technology that reduces the core thickness of the wheels and prioritises light weight without sacrificing stiffness and strength, the 21-inch rim is a forged alloy wheel and no heavier than the 20-inch rim.
The standard driver’s seat in the Ghibli offers six-way electric adjustment, while the Ghibli S features an even more supportive seat with eight-way electric adjustment. Preferred seat, lumbar and mirror settings can all be saved and recalled at the touch of a button.
The Ghibli’s rear seats provide optimised lateral support and guarantee comfort even on long journeys. The foldable central armrest doubles as a fifth seat when necessary and houses two cup holders and a storage box. The rear is equipped with ISOFIX fittings to securely anchor child seats.
The optional Ermenegildo Zegna interior combines Poltrona Frau leather with 100% natural fibre Zegna Mulberry Silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture. Available in three colour variants, this exclusive outfit will be the most exquisite of all Maserati customisations.
A 8.4-inch touch screen display comes as a standard on Ghibli and Ghibli S, allowing the user to intuitively control almost all of the Ghibli’s on-board equipment – such as CD/DVD player, radio and navigation, as well as Bluetooth mobile phone connections. iPhone’s Siri functionality has been integrated into the system to allow users to perform iPhone tasks and make requests using voice commands; for example, for Navigation, music or web search. The touch screen also controls the front seat heating and ventilation, the steering wheel heating and rear window shade. At the same time it functions as the screen for the reversing camera.
Maserati Ghibli is luxury and power redefined. Picture: Supplied
The new Ghibli contains optional WLAN technology that effectively turns the car into a Wi-Fi HotSpot. Owners can place a SIM card into its WLAN router to receive internet signals, which can be resent around the car as a wireless internet signal.
An option is the Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound system, with 15 speakers, a 1 280W amplifier and a perfectly configured QuantumLogic Surround. A characteristic feature of the new Maserati engine family is the 200 bar direct fuel-injection system. This very high pressure helps atomise the fuel, thus improving the fuel-air mixture and optimising combustion at higher engine speeds.
The 3.0 litre V6 has been exclusively developed for Maserati under the watchful eye of Powertrain director Paolo Martinelli, a legendary ex-Ferrari F1 engine designer. This new engine produces a best-in-its-class power output of 275hp, while still achieving a CO2 figure of 158g/km. A fuel consumption of less than 6.0 litres/100km and a 70-litre tank ensure a range of over 1 000km, making the Ghibli Diesel a real grand touring long-distance champion.
