Maserati Ghibli Reviews

Maserati's Trofeo badge represents its most extreme, track-focused vehicles, which makes it a bit of a surprise for a company generally known for building luxurious and beautiful cruisers (and the odd SUV these days). The Trofeo Ghibli is Maserati turned up to 11, then. Let's have a listen.

Maserati is a name that conjures up a rich motor racing heritage and distinctive Italian style. The Ghibli is the brand's mid-size performance sedan.

Richard Berry road tests and reviews the new Maserati Ghibli with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2014 Maserati Ghibli.

Luxury maker Maserati is rolling the dice with the more affordable Ghibli. This four-door coupe, the same size as a BMW 5 Series, is the cheapest Maserati yet, starting at $138,900, or scores of thousands less than the next model in the line-up.At risk is the Maserati mystique, borne of its exclusivity, which could take a hit when more of its cars are spotted on the street. The reward would be a dramatic boost in sales and profits. Maserati sold just 6300 cars around the world in 2012, but is aiming to move 50,000 next year. The Ghibli (pronounced Gibbly) is right at the centre of the plan.Maserati's new coupe will quickly become the brand's best seller in Australia but in turn it is expected to be outsold by a new Maserati SUV called the Levante, which will cost a similar amount when it arrives in 2016. For its part Maserati argues that the new, more affordable, models won't hurt the brand because sightings on Australian roads will still be rare.Even if Maserati sells 1500 cars a year locally after the Levante arrives, spokesman Edward Rowe says: 'That is still a small number when you consider the new car market in Australia is one million cars a year." The Ghibli takes its name from a prevailing wind in Syria. Maserati first used the name in 1963 then reprised it in 1992.The new car is essentially a downsized Quattroporte, although it might be rude to point that out to someone who has shelled-out more than a quarter of a million dollars on the larger model. Firstly, it looks like a Quattroporte, with the same aggressive nose and sloping coupe profile but the smaller proportions mean it looks better than its big brother.Plainly it isn't as expensive as the Quattroporte nor does it have quite the same presence, but most people will assume it costs more than it does. The Ghibli is also built on a shortened version of the Quattroporte platform and even employs the same suspension design.When it comes to engines, yep, you guessed it, they are from the Quattroporte too. The most affordable Ghibli costs $138,900. This uses a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 from VM Motori, which is also available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This example has a unique Maserati tune for outputs of 202kW/600Nm, so it doesn't mess about when you jab the accelerator.Next up is the "standard" petrol engine, a 3.0-litre direct injection V6 with two intercooled turbochargers, developed in conjunction with Ferrari and built in Maranello. It costs $139,990 and it has a 243kW/500Nm version of the engine under its long bonnet.A warmer version, with more aggressive engine management software that increases the outputs to 301kW/550Nm, tops the current range at $169,900. For the record, Maserati says a high-revving V8 and an even more powerful V6 are planned for the Ghibli at some stage in the next few years.Carsguide drove the more powerful V6 at the launch near Byron Bay this week and came away pondering: 'Why would anyone buy the more expensive Quattroporte?" For its part, Maserati reckons customers who want a larger limousine with more interior space will be happy to hand over the additional cash for the bigger car.Regardless, the Ghibli is a great performance sedan that looks beautiful, stands out on the road and goes mighty fast when required (0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds).It handles extremely well and its hydraulic steering (not electric as in almost all other new cars) is wonderfully involving. The ride of our test car was uncomfortably harsh but it was running optional 20-inch wheels ($5090). It should ride better on the standard 18s.Surprisingly, there is some turbo lag but the engine is remarkably strong when the turbos start spinning. You better pay attention because the revs build extremely quickly.The V6 has a meaty sound, which is louder in Sport mode, does a great "thrump" on gear changes - but doesn't sound as good as a V8.All Ghiblis get an eight-speed automatic, a regular torque converter type, which swaps cogs quickly and without fuss and it can be controlled via paddle-shifters on the steering column. Selecting reverse, park or neutral via the centre-mounted gear shifter can be frustrating as the design is surprisingly poor.This is a rare negative in what is an excellent interior.The cabin not only looks smart and expensive, but the controls and easy to use. There is plenty of space for four adults, sitting on sculpted seats trimmed with soft leather and it has as a decent boot. Small items, such as USB charger and 12V charger ports in the rear centre armrest show Maserati has put in a lot of thought.

The Ghibli will put the wind up Maserati’s luxury large car rivals when it lands in Australia late this year. Most Carsguide readers will only dream of owning a $200,000 car but as the entry model for the range the Ghibli is expected to account for annual global sales of 25,000 by 2015- four times the entire number of cars the company now sells.It has the luxury and performance to satisfy owners, even if it isn’t (yet) fitted with a V8. Just as importantly, it looks different to the crop of German cars that dominate the segment.VALUEThe numbers game puts the Ghibli up against the Mercedes CLS and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. It will be more expensive than its German opposition but will add badge exclusivity its rivals can’t match. Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlamps, an eight-speaker sound system, eight-speed automatic transmission, a reversing camera and powered leather seats with inbuilt heaters and fans. A 3.0-litre turbodiesel will be the starter engine, with a pair of twin-turbo V6 petrols turning up the wick on price and performance.DESIGNA smaller, tauter version of the Quattrporte can’t be a bad thing. It looks more aggressive, too, with the curved bonnet and pronounced wheel arches giving it a predatory stance. Boot space and rear leg room is down on the QP but will still accommodate enough luggage to carry four adults, providing they aren’t all basketballers. Scalloping the back of the front seats would help here without.Despite sharing the Quattroporte’s chassis and drivetrain, the Ghibli’s track is wider and the reduced length - it is almost 30cm shorter - makes it more engaging to look at and drive. The 8.4-inch touchscreen effectively divides the dash into driver and passenger zones and the smell of Italian leather pervades the cabin.SAFETYSeven airbags and enough structural alloys to build an office block should ensure the Ghibli stands if it is involved in a collision. The car is also built without any electronic aids. Only when Maserati is satisfied with the inherent stability of the vehicle does it move to install the electronic aids. Toss in a 50/50 weight balance and there are few reasons why the Ghibli will venture off the bitumen.DRIVINGThe base twin-turbo V6 petrol is a convincing car, despite having “only” 243kW and 500Nm. It hits 100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds and stops from that speed in 36m. A ZF eight-speed automatic works well and the engine barks and fizzles on over-run up and down the cogs.Gearchanges in manual mode have to be performed using the alloy paddle shifters and they’re fixed to the steering column rather than moving with the wheel. Ferrari uses the same system based on the principle it saves drivers having to remember which shifter is which when the wheel is cranked over mid-corner. The absence of cabin noise - at least on the Italian roads chosen for the international launch - makes it a genuinely serene environment. The balance superb and the adaptive suspension markedly stiffens up the ride, though it comes at the expense of occupant comfort. It is far more supple in normal mode but can then be caught out by unanticipated ripples or potholes at high speed.The higher-spec V6 wasn’t available at launch in rear-wheel drive guise and Australia won’t get the AWD system. For those who prefer to lubricate their social conscience by buying an economical luxury car, the diesel will arrive early next year.VERDICTThe Ghibli is a great car at a good price and will give luxury car buyers a more exclusive option without a major price premium. It still needs a V8 to satiate our preference for hi-po luxury cars and give the range a halo car.Maserati GhibliPrice: from $195,000 (estimate)Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmCapped servicing:  NoService interval: 2 years/20,000kmSafety: not rated; seven airbagsEngine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, 243kW/500NmTransmission: 8-speed auto, RWDThirst: 9.6L/100km, 233g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.97m (L), 1.95m (W), 1.46m (H)Weight: 1810kgSpare: Space-saver