Well to keep things short let’s just say that the Italian manufacturer forgot that they were making a luxurious sedan and ended up blowing their budget on the performance aspect of the sedan, while the interior of the car cried for love. At the end of the production line, the engineers found out that comfort and luxury do matter and ended up using parts from the recycling bin to create something that can’t be explained. However, the Italian marque still had the guts to sell the car at a ridiculously high price and people bought it because it had the name, Maserati. But it’s worth mentioning that the car actually looked really exclusive on the outside.
Fast forward to 2021
Unfortunately, the gib-lee still exists…
Overview
Now it comes with a twin-turbocharged V-6 or V-8 engine under its hood and is as Italian as it was. It still looks good with its aggressive, swept-back headlamps, bodacious body sides, and distinctive fender vents. Most models get the V-6, which makes either 345 or 424 horsepower and can be had with rear- or all-wheel drive.
If that’s not enough and one wants to spend more on their overly priced Maserati, then they can opt for the V-8–powered Trofeo and the brand will swap the V-6 for a Ferrari-derived, 580-hp twin-turbo V-8. However, our fellow Italian engineers forgot about the interior and comfort once again which gives the sedan a little inconvenience at doing its main job of hauling people, since its rear seat is less spacious compared to the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-class.
Plus, it wouldn’t be a Ghibli if Maserati didn’t borrow parts. So, the marque has borrowed several low-rent switches and knobs from elsewhere. For example, it uses the same window switches as the Jeep Cherokee and light switches and steering-column stalks from the now-defunct Chrysler Town & Country. However, the Ghibli’s cabin can be optioned with all manner of luxury materials, including leather-and-silk upholstery making it a bit more luxurious than it was. Spectacular.
All Ghibli models also received a new infotainment system for 2021, which includes a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen display, a voice-activated virtual assistant, and an available wireless charging pad. But should we be happy about that? No, absolutely not because these are all the bare minimum of luxury.
Also, the price of a Ghibli starts from around 73 thousand USD whereas most mid-size luxury sedans start around $55,000 and increase from there. But then again those rival sedans also start with turbocharged four-cylinders and then graduate to higher-powered V-6 engines as the price rises. The Ghibli skips the four cylinders and directly offers a twin-turbo V-6 as standard equipment.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The base setup for the Ghibli is a 345-hp twin-turbo 3.0-litre V-6 with rear-wheel drive. There is also an S performance version that ups the power to 424 horsepower while the range-topping Trofeo model pushes a 580-hp twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V-8 engine. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available with the V-6. Both engines have an eight-speed automatic transmission.
I should also add that Ghibli owners can experience exotic sounds from the exhaust. Hence, one wouldn’t be disappointed in that department. It also manages to put in a 4.7-second zero-to-60-mph time which is quick for 2014, but today it can be outrun by a non-AMG version of the Mercedes-Benz E-class. However, that embarrassed the Maserati engineers and they upped the power on S models from 404 to 424 horses. Now, getting the S model would be wiser to save your reputation but then again you will be digging a grave for your bank account at the same time.
At the end of the day, this is a Ghibli. One can get much better luxury sedans that have more than bare minimum luxuries and power for a lesser price that would still prevent your bank account from going into extensive care. If getting a car with mediocre power and borrowed interior bits is one’s cup of tea then this car will not disappoint. But one would have to question their choice because that would be getting a ‘luxury” sedan where the only proper luxury that exists is the fact that it’s a Maserati and that’s all. Till then the Ghibli will remain to be Maseratis mediocre works of art.
