Maserati Ghibli

Overview

The Ghibli might be the smallest and most affordable Maserati in terms of price and product positioning. But make no mistake, as it is premium and posh enough to put some of the really premium sedans to shame in terms of luxury. The current Maserati Ghibli carries a lot of legacy behind it and is the third generation model in the nameplate’s lineage. Available in two versions – Gran Lusso and Gran Sport, the Ghibli is being offered with a host of customization options in and out.

Interior & Features

The luxurious appeal of the Ghibli is well retained on the inside as well, as one gets a host of leather upholstery and trim options to choose from.

The T-shaped steering wheel with chrome and carbon fiber accents on the spokes look properly posh. The same understated elegance is carried forward in the instrument console design as well, with a large colored MID screen sitting between two analog dials.

The center console is positioned a bit lower, but looks wide, thanks to the large squared touchscreen interface for infotainment sources. However, the buttons for automatic climate control could have designed a bit nicer. The analog clock at the top of the soft touch dashboard wrapped in exquisite leather as well as carbon fiber finish on the transmission floor looks beautiful, to say the least.

Exterior

Going by the looks, the Maserati Ghibli, even after being a mass-oriented model from the Italian manufacturer, has oodles of exclusivity in its appeal. The design is breathtakingly beautiful and has a sense of pure elegance to it.

The front scooped-in wide grille looks reminiscent of other Maserati offerings and has got vertical slats of chrome within it, with the Maserati logo at the center. The eyebrow shaped full LED headlamps look sleek.

Moving towards the side profile, the Maserati Ghibli has got swopping curves flowing all the way from the front towards the rear, out of which the bulging wheel arches stand out the most. The large 20-inch alloy wheels look sporty, with the air scoops present on the front fender enhancing its raciness even more. To add some elegance to the side profile, the door mirrors and window bordering are finished in chrome.

At the rear too, the Ghibli looks unmistakably a Maserati, thanks to the triangular LED tail lamps, however, here, the tail lamps have curvy edges. The trapezoidal housing for the license plate housing too looks distinctive and sets it apart from other Maserati cars.

Ride & Handling

When it comes to mechanical hardware under the skin, this smallest Maserati doesn’t fall short in top-notch feel. The Ghibli is equipped with Skyhook – electronically variable active-damping suspension system with manually adjustable two stiffness levels and a dedicated control button. In addition, the suspension also gets the assistance of I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency), which has specific software for the vehicle dynamic management in all conditions and for reduced consumptions.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

For the Ghibli, Maserati offers a couple of V6 engine options to choose from, one petrol and one diesel. The gasoline-powered powerhouse is a 3.0-litre V6 unit, which pumps out a maximum power output of 410 PS and a peak torque output of 550 Nm. On the other hand, the oil burner too is a 3.0-litre V6 unit, which churns out 275 PS of maximum power and 600 Nm of peak torque output. Both these engines are offered with a common 8-speed automatic gearbox as the only transmission option.

Verdict

The Maserati Ghibli, even after being a range starting model, surprises and scores full marks with its levels of luxury and kit on offer. Like all the Maseratis, the Ghibli is designed to impress each and everyone out there, while keeping the levels of luxury on the inside, performance and driving dynamics quite high.