Maserati Ghibli Scatenato released

Twenty examples of the limited-edition Maserati Ghibli Scatenato have been confirmed for Australia, each priced at $154,990 drive-away.

That’s $11,000 more than the standard Maserati Ghibli sedan on which it’s based ($143,990 plus ORCs), but includes on-road costs and extra equipment.

This includes 21-inch Titano forged alloy wheels wrapped around Maserati Blue brake callipers, heated and 12-way power-adjustable sports leather front seats, a sports leather steering wheel and piano-black trim. Traffic sign recognition, active blind spot warning and active cruise control are also included.

There are no changes to the Ferrari-built twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 (the Ghibli is also available with a 3.0-litre diesel V6 and a higher-output 321kW petrol V6) or eight-speed automatic transmission, Therefore its claimed 0-100km/h acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption figures of 5.5sec, 267km/h and 11.0L/100km remain unchanged.

The limited-edition Maserati Ghibli Scatenato, which the Trident brand says is Italian for ‘unleash’, joins the upgraded 2018 Ghibli line-up released this time last year.

Last year Maserati sold 194 Ghibli sedans via its Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and (new) Gold Coast and Canberra dealerships. That’s down from 219 in 2017 and fewer than large luxury car rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1531), BMW 5 Series (815), Audi A6 (241) and Jaguar XF (222).

“Unleashed is very much the right word to describe the Maserati Ghibli Scatenato,” said Maserati’s CEO for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, Glen Sealey.

“The combination of the 350hp Maserati Ghibli, this unique equipment package, the exclusivity of just 20 for Australia and an equally remarkable price will mean that when the Scatenato is unleashed in Australian dealers, it will not be around for long.”