Ghibli name returns on smaller,
V6-powered driver’s car with diesel too
You’re looking at Maserati’s new mid-sized
saloon, charged with being the firm’s best-seller as Maserati chases 50 000
sales in 2015. The revival of the Ghibli name after a 16-year lay-off is on a
rear-drive, four-door that’ll be set-up as a true driver’s car, rather than a
mini-me Quattroporte limousine. There’s a promise of sharp reflexes from both
its chassis and suite of lusty V6 engines, with a Ferrari-fettled 301kW
twin-turbo V6 that suggests Maserati isn’t bluffing.
The
revival of the Ghibli name after a 16-year lay-off is on a rear-drive,
four-door that’ll be set-up as a true driver’s car
Yet the chase for greater sales has
bestowed the Ghibli the honor of being the first ever diesel Maserati. It’s
absolutely critical for breakthrough European sales, but will provide a litmus
test for CEO Harald Wester’s promise that all Maseratis will possess the
brand’s critical ‘DNA’. There’s no V8 in the launch range, with Maserati saying
the volume doesn’t justify it. Production begins in June, with the Ghibli
expected to outsell the Quattroporte nearly two-to-one at around 25 000 units
per year. It will cost around $15,930 on the road for the entry-level diesel
model, with the 301kW V6 at R1m and a 243kW V6 model sitting in between.
The 2015 Levante SUV, which will look very
close to the Kubang concept, is expected to sell in similar numbers to the
Ghibli. A GranTurismo replacement is also in the pipeline, along with two more
sports cars.
Six-shooters
The three engines are all 3.0-litre
twin-turbo V6s assembled by Ferrari. It kicks off with the first ever diesel in
a Maserati – a 202kW common-rail, direct injection unit. Two Petrols based on
Chrysler’s Pentastar make 243kW and 301kW respectively, with the flagship set
for a 5.0sec 0-100kph time. Maserati says that the Ghibli isn’t an M5 rival,
but more a BMW 535i and Mercedes E500 challenger.
Tasty handling
Built on a scaled-down Quattroporte
platform, the Ghibli packs extensive use of aluminum to minimize mass and help
with balance. There will be the Sport SkyHook adaptive suspension as an option
on the lower models and as standard with the 301kW V6, and we’re hoping that
the sharper performance focus means there’s a firmer mode than that offered in
the Quattroporte.
Exterior
The Ghibli’s swoopy looks follow the theme
set by the Quattroporte, led by the same gaping grille and curvaceous wheel arches.
It’s a bit longer than the 4899mm 5 Series, but sub-5metres. There’s been a
focus on rear seating, to ensure the Ghibli offers as much legroom as the previous
generation Quattroporte and a little more than its German rivals.
The
Ghibli’s swoopy looks follow the theme set by the Quattroporte, led by the same
gaping grille and curvaceous wheelarches
Transmission
All engines will be hooked up to ZF’s silky
smooth eight-speed automatic transmission that’s mounted to the rear of the engine
enabling all-wheel drive but all right-hand drive Ghiblis will be
rear-wheel drive. There’s not a manual gearbox in sight, but the ZF’s swift
paddle shift responses won’t let you down.
There’s
not a manual gearbox in sight, but the ZF’s swift paddle shift responses won’t
let you down
Cabin
The main interface is a simple touchscreen,
surrounded by lashings of leather and brushed aluminum. The audio system is
supplied by jaguar favorite Bowers & Wilkins. Connectivity, including
Wi-Fi, is a central theme and makes the Gran Turismo cabin look a bit outmoded.
