Maserati Ghibli 2018 Review

About Ghibli

Maserati has been enjoying a resurgence in interest in recent years, its strong presence in the sports sedan market cemented by the arrival of the Ghibli which was reintroduced in its current form in 2014.

While the Ghibli may be being pipped in the sales stakes by the Maserati Levante in SUV-hungry Australia, globally it is the company’s best-selling vehicle, and is credited with driving Maserati’s sales success over the past few years.

Since its introduction, the Ghibli has been continually updated. The line-up now features the same three engine options as in the larger Quattroporte: a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 generating 202kW and 600Nm, and two variants of the Ferrari-built 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.

One offers 257kW and 500Nm and the fired-up S version pumps out 321kW and 580Nm -- up by 20kW and 30Nm on the 2017 engine. All vehicles are equipped with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

In line with the current Quattroporte range, the 2018 Maserati Ghibli range is also now offered in three specifications, each with the choice of the three engines -- the baseline Ghibli, a GranLusso luxury version and the GranSport which plays to Maserati’s racing heritage.

Pricing for the 2018 Maserati Ghibli ranges from $138,990 for the Ghibli D powered by the diesel powerplant, to $195,990 for the Ghibli S GranSport and Ghibli S GranLusso.

All models have been lightly updated from the 2017 range with electric power steering the most notable of the changes.

The move from hydraulic power steering has enabled Maserati to introduce its Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) comprising automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, active blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition. Available as standard on the top-of-the-line S models, the suite is a paid option for the rest of the fleet.

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New GranLusso and GranSport

The two new model designations, the GranLusso and GranSport, play distinctly to Maserati’s key brand identifiers: luxury and sport.

GranLusso models feature detailed luxury touches including a high-end Ermenegildo Zegna engineered silk upholstery, which is unique to Maserati.

Soft-close doors are included on all GranLusso models which are also equipped with comfort seating with 12-way power adjustment, a high-spec Bowers and Wilkins Stereo and 19-inch alloy wheels.

All GranLusso S and GranSport S variants also feature adaptive LED headlights while an exterior redesign includes grille changes that give the Ghibli a wider-appearance when viewed head-on.

It was the 2018 Maserati Ghibli GranSport S range-topper that was available for us to drive during the inaugural Maserati Global Gathering event.

The Global Gathering is the first club event of its type to take place in Australia and was an opportunity for Maserati owners and enthusiasts to drive their own, or borrowed classics, on a 1500km driving tour taking in sights from the Great Ocean Road, through Bendigo to Albury and Canberra before concluding at the Sydney Opera House.

We joined the tour in Torquay and drove a 226km leg through Daylesford and Castlemaine, ending the day in Bendigo.

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Maserati Ghibli GranSport S

The GranSport is differentiated from the GranLusso with several distinct features. There’s more overtly sporty styling, GranSport badging, larger 21-inch alloy wheels, sports seating and sports steering wheel and red brake callipers.

Powered by the higher-output twin-turbo petrol V6, the Ghibli GranSport S is a sports car in the traditional sense of the word. It offers styling which is elegant and not overly aggressive, presenting a more demure alternative to the brashness of a BMW.

Sitting alongside a fine example of a classic Ghibli from the 1967 London motor show, familial lines are recognisable in the 2018 car, the grille sharing a similar form while the iconic trident, which is now fabricated from plastic to house the smarts of the autonomous driving sensors, is a sign to the initiated that this is a sports car with class.

Less demure is the encouraging burble generated by the engine on start-up, and the outrageous ‘barp’ noise emitted from the exhaust with sport mode activated.

Updates to the aerodynamic package and increased output from the engine have resulted in a slight improvement to acceleration times, the Maserati Ghibli GranSport S reaching 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

Apply the throttle pedal with any force and the car reacts instantly, its exhaust note urging you onward with some enthusiasm. The problem of course with cars like this, is that in 4.9 seconds on an Australian road, the fun is done. You’re at the speed limit so quickly that you’re left with not a whole lot to do but slot the Ghibli into cruise and watch the world go by.

Unfortunately, our drive leg took place on some of least dynamic roads in Australia. Long straight roads give little opportunity to test the promise of the Ghibli’s perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Or assess the Ghibli’s steering effort which feels nicely weighted at normal cruising and sharpens noticeably when in sports mode.

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Maserati Ghibli — the Grand Tourer

So let us assess the Ghibli’s credentials as a grand tourer. Thankfully, even with its large 21-inch wheels, the Ghibli GranSport is a very pleasant ride whether as driver or passenger.

In its normal drive mode, the Ghibli’s suspension does an admirable job of riding bumps in the road and it is certainly not as harsh as other European sports models with big wheel and tyre packages.

Slip the Ghibli into its sports mode and while the ride stiffens noticeably, it is still relatively comfortable at slow speeds around town. If you prefer a sportier ride without the accompanying soundtrack of the exhaust, then the exhaust can be opened and closed independently of employing the suspension and steering in sports mode.

Prefer a ride that is even more restrained? Maserati’s Increase Control and Efficiency (ICE) mode is designed for city driving, where a more moderated throttle, gentler gearing and a muted exhaust ensures a less frenetic driving experience. The result is a calmer drive which will improve your fuel economy and reduce your adrenalin levels.

What won’t calm your boots, however, is the notchy gearshifter which can see you mistaking park for reverse. In a car with some great design touches, this is one aspect that mars the driving experience.

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The alternatives

Maserati motoring doesn’t come cheap, and there are some excellent alternatives from BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Alfa Romeo that are vying for your sub-$200K spend.

For the same money, you can step into the bottom end of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class limo range. Or save yourself $50,000 and check out the luxurious BMW 6 Series GT or the outrageously bonkers and similarly-powered Alfa Romeo Giulia QV.

The truth is that at this price point there are a lot of cars to warrant your attention – quite apart from direct German rivals like the Audi A6/A7, BMW 5/6 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans -- but the appeal of the Maserati Ghibli is that its distinctive, classy styling is understated compared to some of its sports-luxury brothers.

That means it will be chosen by drivers who want something that’s not the obvious choice. With its sports promise, grand tourer ability and flexibility in the city, the Ghibli is a premium sports sedan that will meet the needs of more discerning drivers.

2018 Maserati Ghibli pricing and specifications:
Price: $195,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 321kW/580Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 223g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP)