MASERATI GHIBLI SALOON SPECIAL EDITION Hybrid GT Ultima 4dr Auto

A Maserati instead of a BMW 5 Series? That's the dilemma buyers are faced with the brand's Ghibli saloon, now improved. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

The third generation Ghibli, launched here in 2014, was Maserati's attempt to move from a low volume boutique manufacturer to one able to shift far bigger numbers. It first mainly sold in diesel form, but these days, black pump-fuelled customers are targeted by a petrol Hybrid variant - and there are powerful charismatic V6 and V8 petrol variants further up the range.

Background

The Ghibl has proved to be a pivotal car for Maserati and it accounts for most of the marque's current global sales. It's been a case of putting all the corporate eggs in this one rather handsome basket. One that could hardly be more important. The Italian manufacturer wants to sell 50,000 cars per year going forward and this sleek Latin sports saloon remains crucial to that aim. Is this 'M157'-series model really up to it? Maserati loyalists will probably remember the Ghibli sportscar of the early 1990s. That 'AM336'-series car was fast, fun and more than slightly flawed, but was instrumental in repairing Maserati's reputation after some of the awful product decisions of the 1980s. Those with longer memories might even recall the brutal and beautiful Giugiaro-designed 'AM115'-series original of the 1960s. In short, the Ghibli badge is one with provenance. When going into battle with the likes of the BMW 5 Series and the Jaguar XF, Maserati needs all the help it can lay its hands on.

Driving Experience

The big news first. You can now buy a Maserati Hybrid. Yes, I know that sounds about as likely as a Ferrari pick-up truck but get over the initial shock and you'll realise that if trying to compete in the executive market in Europe, a brand would be utterly scotched without a good hybrid these days - and it'll compensate the folk who used to choose the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel that is no longer available in this car. Whether the electrified Ghibli is a 'good' hybrid is a matter for debate. The electrification offered here is of the 'mild' 48-volt form, so it can't ever run without the aid of its 2.0-litre 330hp four cylinder engine. But said powerplant is decently rapid,particularly if you slot the drivetrain into its 'Sport' mode. The engine drives through the rear wheels only via an 8-speed ZF auto gearbox. You may well feel though, that a four cylinder powerplant, electrified or not, is insufficient to create the kind of charismatic appeal that a Maserato should have. If so, you'll start your search in the rear-driven petrol-only Ghibli portfolio with the V6 Ghibli Modena. Like the Hybrid, this 350hp derivative takes just under 6s to reach 62mph, on the way to a top speed in the region of 160mph - but it sounds far more appealing while it's doing it. The V6 is also available in an uprated 430hp state of tune in the Ghibli Modena S. Or, if you want this Maserati to have a properly charismatic growl, you'll need to stretch to the V8-powered Ghibli Trofeo at the very top of the range, which has 580hp, almost enough to give a BMW M5 a good seeing to.

Design and Build

The design team for the 'M157'-series third generation Ghibli worked under the auspices of Gio Ribotta, Maserati's exterior design manager, who points to styling cues from the brand's legendary Tipo 61 'Birdcage' model, although to be honest, they're lost on me. Think of the Ghibli as a truncated Quattroporte and you're not too far off the mark. It looks anything but a hall of mirrors aping of the elegant QP though and it has its own muscularity that distances itself from the executive car mainstream. It shares much the same drivetrain and suspension with its bigger brother and weight has been cut by building the doors and internal cross members from aluminium, with the dashboard structure constructed in magnesium. It shares the same drivelines and suspension, steel monocoque and production line as Maserati's larger model, but the Ghibli is a foot shorter, with very different coachwork. The suspension is as you'd expect with front double wishbones and a multilink rear, this time using electronically adjustable dampers all round. Drop inside and the interior feels and looks reassuringly expensive and well screwed together. Rear legroom and headroom isn't at all bad and there's even a big 500-litre boot. In case you were wondering, yes, you do get that iconic Maserati dash-mounted analogue clock. The information systems never feel quite as slick or as technologically dense as German and Japanese rivals, so if you want the latest in toy tech, you might find the Maserati wanting. If you prefer to make a dramatic entrance, however, there's really nothing to touch it.

Market and Model

The Ghibli has been positioned as a rival to the established full-Executive saloon segment elite but does it really square up competitively against them or is there a premium to pay for that badge? Prices open at around the £67,000 mark for the 330hp GT Hybrid version, which you might not think to be unreasonably given that something like a BMW 540i would be needed to properly compete. Allow a budget of just under £74,000 for the 350hp V6 Ghibli Modena - or around £86,000 for the V6 430hp Modena S. There's a big price jump though, to the top V8-powered Trofeo flagship model, which offers 580hp, sounds amazing but costs around £107,500. Standard equipment on all models includes 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, plus lovely quad exhaust tips. The interior meanwhile, features electrically powered and heated leather seats, wood trim and a punchy eight-speaker stereo system. There's also a mechanical limited slip differential and climate control with no fewer than 13 vents.

Cost of Ownership

Nobody buys a Maserati and expects it to offer tiny running costs but the Hybrid version of the Ghibli makes some very respectable WLTP numbers. Helped by its standard 48-volt mild hybrid system, this variant manages a combined cycle fuel economy figure of up to 33.3mpg - which is better than you might be expecting. True, this Italian saloon can't get anywhere close to the efficiency figures of diesel-powered rivals, but at least the figures are reasonably justifiable for your company accountant to swallow, as is the quoted CO2 best of 192g/km. Which isn't at all bad for a big car that will accelerate to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds. Naturally, the V6 petrol-powered models are a good deal thirstier, the 330hp Ghibli Modena consuming fuel at a combined cycle rate of 25.2mpg. For the Modena S, it's 25.0mpg. Don't awsk about the figures for the V8 Trofeo version.... Across the range, residual values will be the big ticket item, but such is the economy and cachet of the diesel model in particular that it might well perform very well indeed.

Summary

Maserati bet the family jewels on the Ghibli and still can't afford for it to fail. With this car, the company has staked the heritage and exclusivity of its famous trident badge and put its product right into the face of some of the most talented cars on the market. Does it square up? On a purely objective basis, you might wonder. Obvious rivals have, after all, been at it for too long, have too much in the way of development budget and have refined their wares to a finely honed edge. That said, the Ghibli isn't that far off their pace and is a formidable effort from Maserati. What's more, there's a bigger sense of occasion about this car that counts for a lot when buyers are forking out this sort of money. Prestige matters a whole lot and it's why BMW, Audi and Mercedes have been so successful. The Ghibli's not perfect of course. Its ride quality needs work and the infotainment systems feel a generation or two behind its key rivals. That said, it's a car that's impossible to dislike and has a charisma and appeal all of its own. Will it take Maserati where the company wants to go? We'll have to wait and see for that but if you were presented with the choice between a BMW 5 Series and a Maserati Ghibli, would you really be able to resist the lure of the Italian car? I know I couldn't.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Anti pinch sensor for windows

Laminated front glass with high thermal and noise insulation

Demist sensor

Heated rear windscreen

Front and rear electric windows

Brakes

Increased Control and Efficiency (I.C.E)

Maserati stability programme, Acceleration slip regulation, Anti braking system, electronic brake distribution and motor slip regulation

Electronic parking brake

Hill hold control

Ventilated brakes cross drilled discs with dual cast, 360mm with 6 piston fixed callipers at front and 345mm with 4 piston fixed callipers at rear

Integrated vehicle control

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floormats

Chassis/Suspension

High double wishbone front suspension with 5 arm multi link rear suspension

Communication

SIRI smart personal assistant

Driver Aids

Front and rear parking sensors with graphical display on central digital cluster

Surround view camera with imaging displayed on central MTC Plus system and puddle lamps

Electric power steering (EPS) with speed sensitive features

Active drive assist

Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane keeping assist and active blind spot assist

Sport mode setting via sport button with affecting gear change, accelerator response, MSP system, exhaust bypass valves

Driver Convenience

Power boot lid with kick sensor

Wireless charger

Start/stop system

Driver Information

Instrument cluster dials in Maserati blue with white backlighting

10.1'' HD touch screen display with rotary control, Andrioid Automotive OS, navigation, radio, Bluetooth, AHA, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

7" multifunction digital display cluster with on-board computer and driver information

Maserati connected services including connect app, maintenance, emergency call and breakdown call, Maserati guide, drive and guard

Traffic sign assist

Maserati dash mounted design specific clock

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjust/folding heated door mirrors

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Auto dimming exterior rear view mirrors

Entertainment

Harman Kardon premium sound system with 10 speakers

DAB Digital radio

Exterior Body Features

Front grille with verticle grille bars and bezel in chrome finish

Chrome Day light opening(DLO)

Front and rear steel door sills with maserati sign

Blue side air vents

Trident on c- pillar in chrome with blue accent

Maserati active sound system

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

Body coloured side skirts, front and rear fascias

Twin, dual pipe exhaust system in chrome plated stainless steel

Chrome badging

Chrome door handles

Exterior Lights

LED tailgate and third stop light integrated into rear window

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic climate control with 13 air outlets (4 rear)

Interior Features

Boot lateral cargo net and 12V socket

Fabric headlining trim

Front central tunnel with 2 cup holders

Aluminium gear shift paddles

Soft close doors

Power rear sunshade

Power height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Front armrest with twin mechanical opening, with illuminated storage compartment, air conditioned and 12V socket

Safety

Pedestrian recognition

Passenger airbag deactivation system

Forward collision warning plus with advanced brake assist and autonomous emergency braking

Tyre pressure monitoring system with pressure displayed with central digital cluster

Manual rear child locks

Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, rear seatbelts with load limiters

Dual stage Driver/Passenger Airbags, side, window and driver knee airbags

3x3 point rear seat belts

Seats

Heated front seats

60/40 split rear bench seat

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Rear headrests

Front headrests

12 way power front sports seats with two memory settings for driver side

Rear outer seats heating

Security

Vodafone stolen vehicle recovery with automatic driver recognition and remote inhibition

Perimetric and volumetric anti theft alarm with electronic immobiliser

Aluminium key fob, with key-less entry and key-less go function with (lock/unlock button, boot opening and exterior light on)

Service/Warranty

3 years premium service plan

Transmission

Mechanical limited slip differential

ZF 8 speed automatic transmission with tip up/down function from gear knob and fully manual mode

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger sunvisor with mirror and courtesy light

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go tyre sealing compound and electric air compressor

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 194

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 272

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 290

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 195

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 213

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 168

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 182

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 185

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 206

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 211

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 193

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90

CC: 1995

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 23.5

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 22

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 32.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 30

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 38.1

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 34.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 34.4

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 31

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 32.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 30

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 12

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 12.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 8.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 7.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 9.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 9.4

General

Coin Series: GT Ultima

Coin Description: Hybrid

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 4

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: N

Service Interval Mileage: 15000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 330

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.7

Top Speed: 158

Engine Power - BHP: 330

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 243

Engine Power - RPM: 5750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 332

Engine Torque - NM: 450

Engine Torque - RPM: 2250

Engine Torque - MKG: 45.9

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 285/35 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: TESEO

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4971

Width: 1945

Wheelbase: 2998

Width (including mirrors): 2128

Height: 1461

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 70

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 500

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.7

Body Glass

Rear privacy glass and rear side windows

Heated windscreen washer nozzles

Laminated rear glass with high thermal and noise insulation

Brakes

Brake calipers in red

Embellishment Trims

Open pore Radica wood interior trim

High gloss carbon fibre twill interior trim

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

Electric sunroof

Exterior Lights

Full-LED Adaptive MATRIX headlights with anti-glare High-Beam Assist and automatic headlight activation

Interior Features

Full premium fine grain perforated leather upholstery for instrument cowl, upper/lower dashboard, armrests, handles, upper/central door panel

Trident stitch pattern on headrests

Nero heated leather sport steering wheel

Packs

Premium package - Ghibli

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Grigio Maratea

Metallic - Nero Assoluto

Paint - Solid

Solid - Bianco

Seats

Front seat ventilation

Trim - Leather

Full prem fine grain prefo leather - Nero with rosso stitch, nero-dash central/door upper part/upper side pad clust brow, rosso-pad/clust brow stitch

Leather - Nero-dash central/door upper part/upper side pad cluster brow/pad and clust brow stiching

Wheels - Alloy

20" Urano design alloy wheels in gloss black

21" Forged titano design alloy wheels in gloss black