The all-new Maserati Ghibli marks a turning point in Maserati's history. Unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show and arriving just months after the new Quattroporte, the Ghibli gives Maserati two four-door saloon models for the first time in its history.
The Maserati Ghibli is smaller, shorter, lighter, more dynamic, less expensive and more economical than the flagship Quattroporte and provides a cornerstone in Maserati's plans to build 50,000 cars a year by 2015.
Its petrol range provides high performance from both of the power outputs from the Twin Turbo-charged, 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines.
The Maserati Ghibli has a more-focused, sportier philosophy than the larger Quattroporte and its most powerful model, the Ghibli S, has 301 kW (410 hp) of power, races to 62mph in 5.0 seconds and stretches out to a top speed of 177mph (285km/h).
The Maserati Ghibli is also the first Maserati in history to be powered by a diesel engine, with a turbo-diesel V6 producing all the sound, refinement and driving pleasure typical of Maserati while delivering fuel consumption over 47mpg (below 6 l/100km) on the NEDC combined cycle . The Ghibli diesel will also become the first Maserati with Start-Stop technology.
It shares much of its core architecture, including its crash safety, chassis, suspension architecture, engines and LED headlight technology, with the larger Quattroporte, though it is 50 kg lighter, 173 mm shorter in the wheel base and 291 mm shorter overall.
The Maserati Ghibli's design team was challenged to produce a saloon that emphasised its more dynamic driving characteristics through a more aggressive visual personality, yet still maintained discernible visual links with the Quattroporte.
The outline of the body reflects a coupe-like philosophy for the four-door saloon, while there are strong feline hints around the Ghibli's grille and headlights. The grille takes its inspiration from the current GranTurismo and it can draw a line back to the classic 1950s A6 GCS.
It also maintains Maserati's distinctive C-pillar treatment, which delivers much of the coupe-like stance and carries the classical Saetta Maserati logo, carrying on a tradition dating back to 1963.
The side profile is dominated by a swage line that runs from the traditional Maserati grille vents behind the front wheels and finishes in the rear lights themselves.
Inside, the Ghibli sets itself apart from the Quattroporte with a unique dashboard design that perfectly matches its sportier and more youthful character without losing any of the luxury expected from Maserati. The Ghibli also delivers a sporty design combined with all the spaciousness expected in an executive saloon from Maserati.
The Maserati Ghibli, Ghibli S and Ghibli Diesel all utilise an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver their performance, providing seamless comfort with fast gear shifting for hard acceleration.
All Ghibli models deliver exquisite handling thanks to their perfectly balanced weight distribution, a double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension. It can now deliver the added security and all-weather assurance of all-wheel drive as well.
It also delivers new standards in quality in every area from design, development, fabrication and process controls. It is produced in a new plant that combines Maserati's traditions of craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies that are able to guarantee outstanding quality by controlling even the tiniest of details.
The Maserati Ghibli has entered the E-segment sports premium market with a marked advantage in cabin craftsmanship and detailing, offering luxury features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, reversing camera, Poltrona Frau leather interior and the 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well as WLAN-based WiFi and compatibility with most modern mobile phone systems.
The original 1963 Quattroporte invented the concept of the luxury sports saloon, the new Quattroporte continues to be the genre's benchmark and now the Ghibli offers all of the Quattroporte's qualities in a more dynamic, and more affordable package.
ENGINES
A new range of completely innovative petrol engines,designed entirely by Maserati and manufactured by Ferrari, form the beating heart of the Ghibli. New proprietary Maserati V6 engines - all of which Twin Turbo, latest GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) technology developed in strict cooperation between the Maserati powertrain development team and the Ferrari powertrain development team - are built in Maranello for exclusive use of Maserati.
They are being produced in the Ferrari plant in Maranello that is famous for its 60 years of passion and cutting-edge technology.
This new generation of Maserati engines is more powerful, more exciting to drive and more eco-friendly than ever.
The Maserati Ghibli will be available with two versions of its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine.
The most powerful of the V6 petrol engines will be fitted to the rear-wheel drive Ghibli S. This engine produces 301 kW (410hp) of power at 5500 rpm and 550 Nm of torque from just 1750 rpm.
The Ghibli S will reach 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. It has a quoted top speed of 285 km/h (177mph).
The more affordable V6 petrol engine variant not only has an impressive 243 kW (330 hp) of power and 500 Nm of torque, but also delivers a combined fuel economy figure of just 9.6 litres/100km (29.4mpg). It is much more than a fuel saving car, though, and is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
The Maserati Ghibli Diesel becomes the first car in Maserati's near-100 year history to use a diesel power unit. In keeping with Maserati traditions, it is the most powerful single-turbo 3-litre engine on the market with its 275 Hp and 600 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm.
It is capable of sprinting to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and hitting a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph), even though it emits just 158 grams of CO2/km and uses just 5.9 litres/100 km (47.8mpg) on the NEDC combined cycle.
In another first for the Maserati brand, all Ghibli models will have an Active Speed Limiter function as standard equipment. Activated (and deactivated) via a button on the steering wheel, the Active Speed Limiter function lets the driver set a maximum speed for the car, which can be over-ridden by pushing the accelerator pedal through the "kick down".
GHIBLI S V6 ENGINE
The most powerful version of the Ghibli's 2987 cc V6 shares much of its technology with the Quattroporte's flagship 3.8-litre V8 engine.
With 301 kW (410hp) of power at 5500 rpm, the downsized V6 TwinTurbo delivers big V8 performance with 550 Nm of torque between 4500 rpm and 5000 rpm.
The V6's maximum engine speed of 6500 rpm, yet it delivers 90 percent of its 550 Nm of torque from 1600 rpm and its specific torque is actually higher than the V8's, at 183 Nm per litre. It also has an overboost function that is capable of providing the engine's maximum boost between 1750 rpm and 5000 rpm.
It uses the V8's petrol direct injection technology, cylinder architecture and combustion technology along with two low-inertia parallel turbochargers and four continuous camshaft phasers. It uses high-pressure fuel injection to deliver its fuel at around 200 bars of pressure.
The Maserati Ghibli S accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, a tenth of a second faster to 100 km/h than the corresponding Quattroporte S.
It has a top speed of 285 km/h (177mph) top speed almost matching the Quattroporte S.
The engine is also efficient, given its powerful performance numbers. The Ghibli S posts 10.4 (27.2mpg) on the NEDCcombined cycle.
The Ghibli S emits 242 grams of CO2/km.
The V6 engine's parallel turbochargers are slightly different to the twin-scroll units on the V8, but it retains the V8's core dimensions with its bore measurement unchanged at 86.5 mm.
It uses high-tumble cylinder heads and two continuous cam phasers for each cylinder head; it can advance or retard the inlet and exhaust valve timing independently in real time four-phase variators for optimal combustion control for high performance and low consumption.
Another characteristic feature of the new Maserati engine family is the 200 bar direct fuel-injection system. This very high pressure helps atomise the fuel, thus improving the fuel-air mixture and optimising combustion at higher engine speeds.
The Maserati Ghibli S has two intercoolers - one to feed each of the turbo chargers -mounted low on either side of the main radiator to catch a constant supply of fresh, cool air.
The engine also uses a state-of-the-art ECU, with integral high-speed processors, which handle an array of shifting functions in real time.
Maserati Powertrain has also switched to on-demand ancillaries, with a variable displacement oil pump that works under electrical control for improved consumption and performance.
It also uses an innovative, computer control of the alternator, which monitors the vehicle's electricity consumption and manages the alternator's workload to suit.
The engine also operates in both Normal and Sport modes, along with Manual versions of either mode, operated by elongated shift paddles fixed to the steering column.
The new Maserati Ghibli also makes available the I.C.E. (Increased Control and Efficiency) strategy, a function aimed at reducing consumption, emissions and noise. This is a user-select strategy that delivers a softer throttle pedal response for smooth driving, cancels the turbocharger's over-boost function and keeps the exhaust's Sport flaps closed until 5000 rpm. It also adjusts the gear changes to make them softer and slower and reduces torque at each gear's take-up point.
Like the Quattroporte's engine family, the Ghibli V6 engines were developed by Maserati Powertrain, in partnership with Ferrari Powertrain, and will be built by Ferrari in its world-leading engine construction facility in Maranello.
GHIBLI V6 ENGINE
The second turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine available on the Ghibli has 243kW (330hp) of power at 5.000rpm, This engine has been designed to offer an outstanding driving experience and versatile utilisation with low fuel consumption. Not only has it got an impressive power of 243kW and a torque of 500Nm, but it delivers a combined fuel economy of just 9.6 litres/100km (29.4mpg) with 223 grams of CO2 emissions/km, and is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
GHIBLI V6 DIESEL ENGINE
The Maserati Ghibli's highly advanced V6 diesel engine will be the first of its kind in Maserati's history.
The 2987 cc V6 turbo-diesel develops 202 kW (275 hp) of power and a crushing 600 Nm of torque, both of which help it from rest to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. Critically, its NEDC combined fuel economy figure is 5.9 litres per 100 km (47.8mpg) and it emits just 158 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
It uses highly advanced Common-Rail direct fuel injection with 2000 bar of injection pressure and it also features reduced-dwell-time injectors. This helps it to deliver sequential multiple injections for highly responsive performance and cleaner emissions.
It uses a single, variable-geometry turbo charger and the fabricated exhaust manifold includes air-gap.
It is also the first Maserati to use Start-Stop technology, which can lower the fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions by up to six percent, depending on the route and the traffic density. The system turns the engine off when the car comes to a stop and turns it on again almost instantly whenever the accelerator pedal is depressed.
Every Maserati can be identified instantly by its engine note and, thanks to its new Maserati Active Sound system, the Maserati Ghibli Diesel is no different.
Two sound actuators, fitted near the exhaust tailpipes, accentuate the engine's most distinctive tones and modulate them precisely to suit the way the car is being driven. When the driver presses the Sport button on the central tunnel, the sound becomes even more resonant and utterly inspiring.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
In the best Maserati tradition, the sound and performance of the Ghibli's exhaust system is controlled by pneumatic valves in the pipes emerging from each bank and passes through the unique Maserati Sound Tank to maintain the rich aural tradition of the brand.
In the default Normal mode, the bypass valves are closed to give a comfortable and discreet engine sound, which emerges through four sport exhaust tips.
In Sport mode, not only does the car adjust a variety of handling parameters, but also the exhaust valves are opened, giving the shortest possible, high-energy route for the exhaust gases, which gives the Ghibli its maximum engine performance and the unique Maserati engine sound.
TRANSMISSION
All versions of the Maserati Ghibli are fitted with the same ZF AT8 - HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission that has already proven itself in the new Quattroporte.
The transmission delivers in every parameter, from comfort to fast gear shifting, and from minimised fuel consumption to low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness).
As befitting Maserati tradition, it is capable of being in five dedicated shift modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and the extreme weather I.C.E mode.
Auto Normal is the Ghibli 's default setting and performs its gear changes with fluid shifts at low engine speeds to emphasise the car's comfort and to minimise fuel consumption.
The Auto Sport mode sees the transmission switch character to change gears with greater alacrity at higher engine speeds and deliver a distinct gear engagement to enhance the powertrain's sporting feel.
In both of these modes, the car recognises a variety of conditions, such as whether the car is travelling up or down hill, is braking hard or is driving through a corner, and selects the best gear and the best gear-shift style accordingly.
The transmission can also be controlled manually by selecting the M button on the transmission tunnel.
In Manual Normal mode, the driver can change gear with either the elongated gearshift paddles attached to the steering column or by using the transmission lever. The driver is in charge of the gear selection, though the system will intervene and change to a lower gear if the engine revs drop too low, or change to a higher gear if the engine revs climb too high.
In Manual Sport mode, however, the gearshifts are at their fastest and crispest, giving the driver full control of the powertrain. The system will not intervene, even if the driver strikes the engine's rev limiter. It will only intervene if the engine's revs drop too low to be effective in a given gear.
The I.C.E (Increased Control Efficiency) mode is designed for remarkable fuel economy, relaxed driving and extremely low grip conditions. The transmission changes gear as softly as possible, both going up through the gears and returning back down.
All gearshift modes can be selected via buttons on the left of the gear knob.
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
As has become expected of Maserati, the Ghibli also utilises a mechanical limited-slip rear differential as well, in both its rear- and all-wheel drive versions.
The Ghibli is the only car in its class to use a standard mechanical limited slip differential in all its versions in order to deliver the best inherent traction in all driving situations.
The bevel-drive, asymmetric unit offers 35 percent lock-up under power and 45 percent under release.
The rear differential is driven via a two-piece, 80 mm-thick light-weight steel prop shaft with two constant velocity joints and a head rubber coupling, which runs through a cross member-mounted rubber bearing for lower NVH levels without compromising rigidity.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The Maserati Ghibli's design ethos emphasises its more dynamic driving characteristics while maintaining visible links with the larger Quattroporte and delivering a more aggressive visual personality.
The outline of the body reflects a coupe-like philosophy for the four-door saloon, while there are strong feline hints around the Ghibli's grille and headlights. The dominating grille takes its inspiration from the current GranTurismo and it can draw a line back to the classic A6 GCS of the 1950s.
It also maintains Maserati's distinctive C-pillar treatment, which delivers much of the stunning coupe-like stance and carries the classical Saetta Maserati logo, carrying on a tradition dating back to 1963. It is gloss black in colour and its variable cross section contrasts with both the satin chrome surrounding it and the Trident symbol at its centre.
The grille design is accentuated by the flow of the front quarter panels, which emphasise the shape of the engine compartment lid, then run into the headlights at the front. The shape of the headlights converges onto the Trident symbol, with every angle designed to attract the eye to Maserati's legendary badge.
The side profile is dominated by a swage line that runs from the traditional Maserati grille vents behind the front wheels and finishes in the rear lights themselves.
With its long wheelbase, total length and wide tracks, the Ghibli comes together as one of the sportiest and most elegant looking cars in the E-segment.
The Maserati Ghibli's body and underbody design fulfils the sporty promise of its looks, with a low drag coefficient of 0.31 to keep fuel consumption low and increase stability at the high speeds that, of the E-segment category, only the Ghibli is capable of.
CHASSIS
It may be closely related to the Quattroporte, but the Ghibli has a character all its own thanks to its combination of double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art, multi-link rear suspension with the option of the active Skyhook system, part-time all-wheel drive, firm suspension damping and powerful braking system.
Like the Quattroporte, its chassis design is based around a rigid and extremely secure steel safety cell that employs an array of different steel and aluminium alloys to deliver precise strengths and minimal weight.
The front of its chassis is based around an aluminium casting with a reinforced cross-strut which helps deliver outstanding rigidity in all directions, while the rear of the chassis is made from rolled steel.
BODY
The chassis of the new Ghibli shares its core architecture with the Quattroporte and has been precisely designed to meet the performance and comfort demands of Maserati buyers, and meets all foreseeable safety regulations.
Based around a rigid and extremely secure steel safety cell, it uses an array of different steel and aluminium alloys, each designated a precise task to maximise strength, minimise weight and retains the sports saloon's perfect 50 : 50 weight distribution in its rear-drive models.
The front of the chassis is based around an aluminium casting, with a reinforced cross-strut which helps deliver outstanding rigidity in all directions, while the rear of the chassis is made from rolled steel.
The choice of aluminium for the bulk of the Maserati Ghibli's body panels was based around the delivery of the maximum possible occupant safety for the lowest possible weight. Accordingly, all four doors and the bonnet hood are all made from aluminium.
Along with the freedom it allowed Maserati's designers, the choice of aluminium has also had a positive impact on reducing weight, reducing its fuel consumption and lowering its emission.
Other exotic materials are also used in the Ghibli's body, including ultra-light weight magnesium, which is used in the dashboard's cross strut.
SUSPENSION
Double wishbone suspension layouts are a race-bred tradition at Maserati and the Ghibli continues with this heritage but also incorporates some new technologies for greater accuracy.
Utilising a suspension layout and software system that has already proven a hit in the Quattroporte, the Ghibli has high-mounted all-aluminium double wishbones at the front to guarantee light and precise handling characteristics.
Aluminium is the dominant metal of the front suspension system, with the dome nuts, the hub carrier bars and uprights all made from forged aluminium, while the springs are steel. This matches up to constantly adaptive Skyhook dampers and an anti-roll bar.
The geometry of the system has delivered a quadrilateral architecture, which has enabled Maserati's handling team to deliver steering that is precise, communicative and comfortable.
The rear suspension employs a firmer version of the Quattroporte's five-bar multi-link system, with four aluminium suspension arms, and has achieved the conflicting targets of executive ride comfort and extreme sports performance.
The Ghibli's suspension package is based around a fixed rate damping system to control the movement of its steel springs and anti-roll bars.
All Ghiblis are available with the option of the Skyhook adaptive damping system, where all four Skyhook dampers can now be electronically controlled independent of each other. This is a variation of the Quattroporte's standard system, though its performance and tuning has been heavily modified to cater for the Maserati Ghibli's more dynamic ethos.
The default mode for the optional Skyhook system prioritises comfort, and then becomes more athletic if the driver presses the suspension button. This extra damping stiffness pushes the Ghibli's handling to even higher levels and its tune was developed in both extreme test scenarios and on the racetrack. Essentially, it drastically reduces both longitudinal and lateral load transfers and minimises body roll to bring out the sportiest side of the car's character.
The computer system in control of the Skyhook dampers monitors an enormous array of parameters, including speed and lateral and longitudinal acceleration, individual wheel movements, body movement and damper dynamics.
Adjusting also to suit the suspension mode chosen by the driver, the system delivers the perfect damping mode for each wheel almost instantly.
Late this year, the Ghibli Diesel will be available with the option of a Sports suspension setup, which will be based around the fixed damping system rather than the optional Skyhook system.
While the architecture of the Sport suspension is unchanged, it lowers the ride height by 10 mm and uses stiffer springs and firmer, dual-rate Koni dampers that adjust to varying conditions. This is available only on these two models to counteract their slightly heavier front weight distribution (51 : 49).
WHEELS AND TYRES
Featuring 18-inch rims as standard equipment, the Ghibli is also available with 19", 20" or 21-inch rims as well.
While the 18'' 19" and 20" alloys are crafted from flow-forming technology that reduces the core thickness of the wheels and prioritises light weight without sacrificing stiffness and strength.
The 21" rim is a forged alloy wheel, which also emphasises light weight and is no heavier than the 20" rim.
All the Maserati Ghibli's rims have been designed and engineered to enhance both the visual design of the body and to lower the unsprung masses to improve grip and handling.
The 18'' wheel rims, a 12 spoke-design, ensure a dynamic effect.
On the Ghibli and Ghibli Diesel versions they have the same 235/50 size for front and rear.
On Ghibli S they get staggered size with 235/50 at the front and 275/45 at the rear.
The 19" wheel, with its 245/45 front and 275/40 rear tyres, is geared towards reduced fuel consumption combined with low road noise and long, comfortable journeys.
The 20" wheel, with a 245/40 front tyre and a 285/35 rear tyre, is the perfect compromise between sports and comfort, while the 21" wheel, with a 245/35 front and 285/30 rear tyre combination, is focused on sports handling.
All four wheel sizes are available with Pirelli, Dunlop and Continental tyres. All wheels can be fitted with winter tyres.
The Ghibli also continuously monitors its tyre pressure with a sensor mounted inside the rim, as part of the valve. The pressure can be read off the display on the dashboard. If a tyre punctures or its pressure changes, the system notifies the driver with visual and acoustic warnings.
