Manufacturer Maserati Body style 4-door saloon | Production 2013–present | |
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Assembly Italy: "Avv. Giovanni Agnelli" plant, Grugliasco, Turin Designer Centro Stile Maserati under Marco Tencone Class Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E) | ||
The Maserati Ghibli is a luxury executive saloon produced by Italian car manufacturer Maserati since 2013. The car was unveiled to the public at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show.
Contents
Overview
The Ghibli marks Maserati's comeback in the luxury executive car segment after two decades of absence, since the last of the Biturbo family saloons went out of production in 1994; it is a key model in Maserati's plan of reaching a production of 50,000 units by 2015, expanding its lineup to cover all segments in the luxury car market. Assembly takes place alongside that of the Quattroporte VI at the new Giovanni Agnelli Plant in Grugliasco near Turin.
Ghibli Zegna Edition Concept
At the 2014 Paris Motor Show Maserati presented the Ghibli Zegna Edition Concept, a concept car previewing the marque's second collaboration with Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna after the Quattroporte Zegna limited edition. The cabin is upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and anthracite Zegna silk fabric; the exterior features triple-layer "Azzurro Astro" paint and special "Liquid Silver" 20 inch wheels. The concept car is based on a Ghibli S Q4.
Variants
From launch the Ghibli was available with a choice of three engines: a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo 330 PS (243 kW; 325 bhp) in the base Ghibli, a 410 PS (302 kW; 404 bhp) petrol in the Ghibli S or Ghibli S Q4 (all wheel drive version, which is only available with this engine), or a 270 PS (199 kW; 266 bhp) 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel in the Ghibli Diesel.
Ghibli Neiman Marcus
In occasion of Maserati's centenary, the limited edition Maserati 100th Anniversary Neiman Marcus Ghibli S Q4 is the luxury car included in the 2014 edition of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book gift catalogue. It is distinguished by Grigio Maratea paint over a Cuoio tan leather interior, forged multi-spoke wheels and black grille surround. The allotment is limited to 100 units, each priced at $95,000.
Specifications
The Maserati Ghibli shares the architecture of the sixth-generation Maserati Quattroporte, but sits on a 20 cm (7.9 in) shorter wheelbase for a 29 cm (11.4 in) shorter overall length. Suspension is by double wishbones at the front and 5-link multilink at the rear axle; Maserati's Skyhook adaptive damping system is optional. All Ghibli models employ a ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission and a rear limited slip differential. Power steering is hydraulic. The braking system uses vented discs on all four corners, four-pot callipers at the front and floating callipers at the rear; S models come with larger cross-drilled dual-cast rotors, six-pot callipers at the front and four-pot at the rear.
Engines
The petrol engine is a 2,979 cc (182 cu in) 60° V6. It utilizes a turbocharger per cylinder bank, twin intercoolers and direct injection. The engine is designed by Maserati and assembled by Ferrari; specifically, the engine blocks are cast and machined to Ferrari's specifications respectively in Fiat's Kokomo, Indiana and Trenton Engine Plant, then shipped to Modena, Italy for assembly by Ferrari.
The Ghibli is the first Maserati in history to be offered with a diesel engine. The unit is a 2,987 cc (182 cu in), common rail, single variable-geometry turbo A630 V6 designed and produced by Fiat Powertrain's subsidiary VM Motori. On the Italian market only a slightly detuned diesel version is also available at the same price, because of the higher taxation on cars with more than 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp).
Q4 all-wheel drive system
The sportiest S version of the Ghibli is also available with all-wheel drive. Attached to the end of the 8-speed transmission is a transfer case, containing an electronically controlled multi-plate wet clutch, which sends power through a drive shaft to an open differential bolted to the oil pan. During normal operation the car is rear-wheel drive only; when needed the system can divert up of 50% of engine power to the front wheels. The system adds 59 kilograms (130 lb) to the vehicle, with no change in gas mileage or weight distribution. AWD Maseratis make up 70 percent of the company's sedan sales in the United States. The powertrain is the same as that in the Quattroporte Q4.
Safety
The Maserati Ghibli passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests in 2013, receiving a five-star rating.
In 2013 the US-specification 2014 Maserati Ghibli was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, receiving "Good" rating in all four tests (moderate overlap front impact, side impact, roof strength, head restraints and seats); it therefore qualified for the 2013 Top Safety Pick.
Marketing
In the United States, the Ghibli was used in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVIII called "Strike", which aired on 2 February 2014. This marked the first time that Maserati aired an ad in the United States, which is part of Fiat Chrysler's promotional push to expand its brands in North America, as it prepared to sell the Ghibli there in the first quarter of 2014.