Maserati’s latest creation will soon be upon us, but you may be wondering why the oddly-named Ghibi is special? What makes it tick? Should you donate a kidney to buy one? We answer that and more for your perusal. Aren’t we kind?
1. It has a stupid name
Maserati likes to name its cars after exotic winds and the Ghibli continues the tradition. Ghibli is actually a dusty-carrying wind in North Africa, although we wish they’d chosen a sexier one. We much prefer the Mistral. Or the Bora. Hell, even the Shamal. But Ghibli? What’s next? Fart?
2. It’s a diet Maserati
Maserati creations are usually big, heavy, expensive sports cars. But the Ghibli shakes things up by being smaller, lighter and cheaper. Generous use of aluminium on all four doors and the bonnet hood, helps reduce weight by 50kg over the flagship Quattroporte, so it tips the scales at 1,835kg. It’s also 29mm shorter, rides 20mm lower and the wheelbase is 17.3cm shorter. Oh, and pricing starts at £52,275 ─ nearly £30,000 less than the Quattroporte.
3. It’s built by Ferrari
Want a Ferrari on the cheap? Well buy a Maserati. Specifically, buy the Ghibli. Maserati and Ferrari are owned by parent company Fiat, and the two often share parts. In fact, the Ghibli is built at Ferrari’s plant in Maranello, Italy, next to 458 Italias and Californias and whatnot. Ferrari even lends its expertise to the manufacture of the Ghibli’s V6 engines and the rest of its powertrain so you know the Mazzy is in good hands.
4. It’s a diesel
Diesels are usually pretty dull, which is why Maserati has steered well clear. Until now. The Ghibli has a 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel capable of churning out 275bhp and a whacking great 600Nm of torque. Despite having enough twist to yank down Big Ben, it spews just 158g/kg of nasty CO2 emissions. It also comes with stop/start technology, another first that helps the Ghibli stand up to a number of European competitors such as BMW and Jaguar. A V6 twin-turbo petrol engine with either 330bhp or 410bhp is also available in case you favour performance over penny-pinching.
5. It has built-in Wi-Fi
The modern-day businessman needs all the mod-cons and Maserati is well aware of this. Hence the inclusion of a Wi-Fi hotspot in the Ghibli, so you can check your emails or look at cat videos as you cruise around. If you have a chauffeur, that is. All you need is a SIM-card plugged into its WLAN router to allow up to three devices to connect. Other impressive gadgetry includes a 10-speaker audio system powered by a 600-watt amplifier, dual-zone climate control, a key you don’t have to take out of your pocket to unlock or start the car and an 8.4-inch touch screen display for all your infotainment needs.
6. It will do nearly 50mpg
The Ghibli Diesel is a remarkably efficient beast. It can nearly manage 47mpg, which is 18.5mpg more than the Ghibli petrol V6. Sure, it’s less efficient than, say, the comparable BMW 530d but the Bimmer packs less bhp – 258bhp vs the Ghibli’s 271bhp. And the Ghibli is also almost as efficient in the CO2 department. Not bad for a car that can hit 0 to 62mph in 6.3 seconds.
7. The exhaust note is fake
To spice up the excitement when driving a diesel, Maserati has equipped the Ghibli with what it calls ‘sound actuators’ in the exhaust. These actuators are comprised of two 40-watt 6.5-inch speakers that sit in the exhaust, replacing the silencers. This means that diesel can sound a lot more like a petrol unit when you plant your foot, and passers-by will get to enjoy it, too.
8. It was tested to destruction
The Maserati Ghibli has undergone serious testing. Maserati drove a fleet of more than 90 cars more than six million kilometres in such gruelling conditions as South Africa and Morocco, and Sweden and New Zealand. Just in case you need more assurances, Maserati also tested every single component, set up a 700-point control check and subjects each car to a 30 minute and a 60 kilometre drive before it reaches the customer. Even the paint is checked three times.
9. It’s a 4×4
The Ghibli has your back in slippery conditions. It can unleash a part-time four-wheel drive system to ensure maximum grip when the heavens open or you are a little too heavy-footed on a spirited drive home.
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