Maserati Ghibli (M157) Explained

Maserati Ghibli (M157)
Manufacturer:Maserati
Production:2013–present
Model Years:2014–present
Assembly:Italy: Grugliasco, Turin (2013–2022); Turin (Stabilimento Mirafiori: 2022–present)
Class:Executive car (E)
Body Style:4-door sedan
Layout:Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive /four-wheel-drive
Platform:Maserati M156
Motor:eBooster 48V (eTorque)
Transmission:8-speed ZF 8HP70 automatic[1]
Drivetrain:eTorque mild-hybrid system (eTorque)
Wheelbase:29981NaN1
Length:49711NaN1
Width:19451NaN1
Height:14611NaN1
Weight:1810–
Predecessor:Maserati Biturbo Sedan
Designer:Centro Stile Maserati under Marco Tencone
Sp:uk

The Maserati Ghibli (Tipo M157) is an executive car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati since 2013.[2] The car was unveiled to the public at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show.[3]

Overview

The Ghibli marks Maserati's comeback in the mid-size luxury car segment after two decades of absence, since the last of the Biturbo family saloons went out of production in 1994; it is a key model in Maserati's plan of reaching a production target of 50,000 units by 2015, expanding its lineup to cover all segments in the luxury car market.[4] Assembly of the Ghibli takes place alongside that of the Quattroporte VI at the new Giovanni Agnelli Plant in Grugliasco near Turin, Italy. On September 24, 2019, the 100,000th Ghibli rolled off the production line as announced by Maserati.[5]

Concept cars

Ghibli Zegna Edition Concept

At the 2014 Paris Motor Show Maserati presented the Ghibli Zegna Edition Concept, a concept car previewing the marque's second collaboration with Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna after the Quattroporte Zegna limited edition. The cabin is upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and anthracite Zegna silk fabric; the exterior features triple-layer "Azzurro Astro" paint and special "Liquid Silver" 20 inch wheels. The concept car is based on a Ghibli S Q4.[6]

Variants

Ghibli

The Ghibli was introduced at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show and marked Maserati's entry into the mid-size executive car market as being positioned below the Quattroporte. The Ghibli is the first car to be underpinned by the Maserati M156 platform and was the company's best seller until the Levante crossover SUV was launched. The company sold 6,000 units of the car in its first year into the market, which alone exceeded the best sales figures for Maserati for 2008, which was 9,000 cars sold in total of different models. The number increased to 22,500 in 2013 and 36,448 in 2014. It continued to increase in 2015 due to the delay in the Levante's launch.

The Ghibli also marks the return of the name in the US market as the Biturbo based Ghibli (AM336) was not available for sale there.

The diesel engine in the Ghibli, developed under Ferrari engine specialist Paulo Martinelli, is based on the V6 diesel unit found in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine is exclusive to the European market only. A ZF 8HP transmission powers the rear wheels as used by all the major competition except Mercedes-Benz.

The Ghibli, which is based on a shorter wheelbase than the flagship Quattroporte, uses a steel monocoque chassis with additional subframes with the front subframe made of aluminium. Tested weight distribution for the diesel version stands at 51/49 front/rear.

Both the Ghibli and the Quattroporte share the same suspension although the Skyhook suspension is optional on the former. An optional Koni adaptive sport suspension is also available. From the 2018 model year the Ghibli can be optioned with one of two new trims, namely GranSport and GranLusso, all of which relate to the interior of the car with the GranSport trim featuring an aggressive front bumper.

The Ghibli uses a customized version of the Uconnect infotainment system found in other FCA vehicles like the Dodge Charger. Buyers have different leather upholstery for the interior to choose from. An Alcantara headliner, a premium Harman Kardon or Bowers and Wilkins sound system, wood, carbon fiber and optional metal and weaved leather interior inserts and steering wheel are available as an option.[7]

Safety features and amenities include adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlights supplied by Magnetti Marelli, lane keep assist, steering assist and brake force assist. The car received a five-star crash test rating from NCAP due to these features.[8] [9]

Ghibli S

The S is a high-performance variant of the Ghibli boasting power output and performance improvements. It was initially powered by a version of the twin-turbocharged V6 engine used in the Ghibli but was uprated at in 2017. Despite the similarities to the Alfa Romeo V6 engine, which is also manufactured by Ferrari, the Maserati engine is not related to the Alfa Romeo engine since the Maserati engine is a 60-degree V6 (using a block cast by Chrysler) rather than Alfa Romeo's 90-degree unit. The same unit is also used by the high performance version of the Levante SUV as well as some Quattroporte models.

The Ghibli S was initially equipped with a hydraulic power steering which was changed to an electric power steering when the Ghibli range received updates. It also benefits from the same safety features as the base Ghibli.[10]

Ghibli Neiman Marcus

In occasion of Maserati's centenary, the limited edition Maserati 100th Anniversary Neiman Marcus Ghibli S Q4 is the luxury car included in the 2014 edition of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book gift catalogue. It is distinguished by Grigio Maratea paint over a Cuoio tan leather interior, forged multi-spoke wheels and black grille surround. The allotment is limited to 100 units, each priced at $95,000.[11]

2020 Facelift

A face lifted Maserati Ghibli and hybrid version was unveiled online on 16 July 2020. In a world’s first, the hybrid version of the Ghibli features a 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engines, with a 48 volt electric supercharger "e-Booster" and supported by a battery. The battery is mounted in the rear of the car, which Maserati claims benefits the weight distribution. The hybrid version weighs around 800NaN0 less than the Diesel version. The car has a maximum output of 330 horsepower and torque of 450 Nm delivered from 1,500 rpm. The car has a top speed of 2552NaN2 and acceleration from 0 to 1002NaN2 in 5.7 seconds.[12]

Trofeo

The Ghibli Trofeo is a high performance version of the Ghibli powered by a 3.8 L twin turbocharged F154 V8 producing at 6,250 rpm and of of torque.The engine is built at the Ferrari plant at Maranello to Maserati's specifications. Although new for the Ghibli, the V8 engine has already been used in the past on the Quattroporte GTS. The Trofeo can accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 4 seconds, with a top speed of .[13]

334 Ultima

To mark the upcoming end of production of the 580 PS twin-turbo V8 engine, Maserati will create two special editions debuting at Goodwood. The Ghibli 334 Ultima with the number denoting its top speed in kilometres per hour – thereby making it the current fastest internal combustion engine four-door sedan in the world, and the Levante V8 Ultima. The models aimed to become collector’s items as only 103 units will be manufactured, a nod to the Maserati 5000 GT internal code, Maserati's first V8-powered road car.[14]

Specifications

The Maserati Ghibli shares the architecture of the sixth-generation of the Maserati Quattroporte, but sits on a 2001NaN1 shorter wheelbase for a 2901NaN1 shorter overall length. Suspension is a double wishbone unit at the front axle and 5-link multilink unit at the rear axle; Maserati's Skyhook adaptive damping system is optional. All Ghibli models employ a ZF 8-speed 8HP automatic transmission and a rear limited slip differential.The braking system uses vented discs on all four corners, four-piston callipers at the front and floating callipers at the rear; the S models come with larger cross-drilled dual-cast rotors, six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.Ghibli's original exterior design produced a, value later bested by a recent restyle at .[15]

Engines

From launch, the Ghibli is available with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engines: a 3.0-litre 3300NaN0 twin-turbocharged V6 in the base Ghibli models, a 4100NaN0 twin-turbocharged V6 in the high performance Ghibli S or Ghibli S Q4 (all wheel drive version, which is only available with this engine), or a 2750NaN0 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel in the Ghibli Diesel.[16]

The petrol engine is a 29790NaN0 60° V6. It utilizes a turbocharger per cylinder bank, twin intercoolers and direct injection. The engine is designed and assembled by Ferrari. In 2017 the Ghibli S and S Q4 were upgraded to 4240NaN0 and 4280NaN0 of torque.

The Ghibli is the first Maserati in history to be offered with a diesel engine. The unit is a 29870NaN0, common rail, single variable-geometry turbocharged A630 V6 designed and produced by Fiat Powertrain's subsidiary VM Motori.On the Italian market, only a slightly detuned diesel version is also available at the same price, because of the higher taxation on cars with more than 2500NaN0.

In early September 2023, Maserati announced that production of the V8-engined Ghibli models (as well as the Quattroporte) will conclude at the end of 2023. The Ferrari-built V6 may be replaced with Maserati's own Nettuno V6 engine.[17]

ModelFuelEngineMax powerTorqueDriveTop speed
(seconds)
Emissions Years
Petrol1995cc turbocharged GME T4 I4 "eBooster 48V" MHEV3300NaN0 at 5,750 rpm4500NaN0 between 4,000 rpmRWD2550NaN05.7192 g/km2021 - present
2979cc twin-turbocharged F160 V63300NaN0 at 5,000 rpm5000NaN0 between 1,750–4,500 rpm 2630NaN05.6223* -207 g/km2013 - 2015
3500NaN0 at 5,000 rpm5000NaN0 between 1,750–4,500 rpm2670NaN05.5255 - 257 g/km2016 - present
4100NaN0 at 5,500 rpm5500NaN0 between 1,750–5,000 rpm2850NaN05243 g/km2013 - 2016
4300NaN0 at 5,750 rpm5800NaN0 between 2,250–4,000 rpm2860NaN04.9223 g/km2017 - present
4100NaN0 at 5,500 rpm5500NaN0 between 1,750–5,000 rpmAWD2840NaN04.8246 g/km2013 - 2016
4300NaN0 at 5,750 rpm5800NaN0 between 2,250–4,000 rpm2860NaN04.7275 - 278 g/km2017 - present
3798cc twin-turbocharged F154 V8 5800NaN0 between 6,500–6,800 rpm7290NaN0 between 2,000–4,000 rpmRWD3260NaN04.3275 - 278 g/km2020 - present
3340NaN03.92023 - present
Diesel2987cc turbocharged A630 HP V6 2500NaN0 at 4,000 rpm5700NaN0 between 2,000–2,600 rpm2400NaN06.7184 g/km2013 - present
2750NaN0 at 4,000 rpm5700NaN0 between 2,000–2,600 rpm2500NaN06.3184 g/km2013 - 2015
6000NaN0 between 2,000–2,600 rpm6.3184 - 198 g/km2016 - present
* Euro 5, ** Italian market only|}

Q4 all-wheel drive system

The high performance S version of the Ghibli is also available with all-wheel drive. Attached to the end of the 8-speed transmission is a transfer case, containing an electronically controlled multi-plate wet clutch, which sends power through a drive shaft to an open differential bolted to the oil pan.During normal operation the car is rear-wheel drive only; when needed the system can divert up of 50% of engine power to the front wheels.The system adds 130abbr=onNaNabbr=on to the weight of the car, with no change in gas mileage or weight distribution. All-wheel-drive Maserati vehicles make up 70 percent of the company's sedan sales in the United States. The powertrain is the same as that in the Quattroporte VI (Q4).[18]

Sales

Year Europe[19] https://carsalesbase.com/europe-maserati-ghibli// !United States[20]
2013 339 -
2014 4,238 -
2015 4,644 7,925
2016 4,124 7,100
2017 2,981 5,563
2018 2,534 4,644[21]
2019 1,723 -
Total 20,583 25,232

Safety

The Maserati Ghibli passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests in 2013, receiving a five-star rating.

In 2013 the US-specification 2014 Maserati Ghibli was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, receiving "Good" rating in all four tests (moderate overlap front impact, side impact, roof strength, head restraints and seats); it therefore qualified for the 2013 Top Safety Pick.[22]

In 2021, the Trofeo includes features such as: Full-speed adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking.[23]

Marketing

In the United States, the Ghibli was used in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVIII called "Strike", which aired on 2 February 2014.[24] This marked the first time that Maserati aired an ad in the United States, which is part of Fiat Chrysler's promotional push to expand its brands in North America, as it prepared to sell the Ghibli there in the first quarter of 2014.[25]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Technology . Official Maserati Ghibli website . 3 July 2013.
  2. English . Andrew . Maserati Ghibli review . . 27 June 2013.
  3. Web site: 2014 Maserati Ghibli snarls in Shanghai . autoblog.com . 20 April 2013 . 16 November 2014.
  4. Web site: 2014 Maserati Ghibli: It really is a baby Quattroporte. . Car & Driver . April 2013 . 16 November 2014.
  5. Web site: Maserati: Ghibli number 100,000 leaves the Avv. Giovanni Agnelli plant at Grugliasco. maserati.com. 13 November 2019.
  6. Web site: World debut for the Ghibli Ermenegildo Zegna Edition Concept at Paris Motor Show . Maserati official website . 2 October 2014 . 16 November 2014.
  7. Web site: Maserati Ghibli. Drew. Dorian. March 2019. Car and Driver. 2019-04-24.
  8. Web site: Maserati Ghibli design & styling. Matt. Prior. Autocar. 2019-04-24.
  9. Web site: Buyer's Guide Maserati Ghibli. Motor Trend. 2019-04-24.
  10. Web site: New Maserati Ghibli S review. 2017-11-16. Steve. Sutcliffe. Evo. 2019-04-24.
  11. Web site: 100th Anniversary Maserati Ghibli stars in the 2014 Neiman Marcus catalog . autoblog.com . 9 October 2014 . 16 November 2014.
  12. Web site: Maserati Ghibli Hybrid Breaks Cover With 330 HP, Updated Looks . 16 July 2020 . Car scoops . 16 July 2020.
  13. Web site: Maserati Ghibli Trofeo sedan equipped with V8 engine Maserati US . 2024-03-27 . www.maserati.com.
  14. Web site: Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima, Levante V8 Ultima Debut As Ferrari V8 Finale. motor1.com. 21 December 2023.
  15. Web site: Maserati Ghibli MY19 Press Kit . media.maserati.com . 1 June 2019.
  16. Web site: Maserati Ghibli 2013 . Auto Express . 18 March 2014 . 20 April 2013.
  17. Web site: Maserati to Overhaul Lineup, but Won't Confirm End Dates for Sedans. Car and Driver. Eric . Stafford . https://web.archive.org/web/20230908180125/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a45035240/maserati-ghibli-quattroporte-dead-confirmed/ . 2023-09-08 . 2023-09-07.
  18. Carey . John . Finding traction . . 3 March 2014 . 64 . 6 . 24–27 . 0192-9674.
  19. "Maserati Ghibli Europe Sales Figures"
  20. Web site: Maserati Ghibli U.S Sales Figures . Bart . Demandt . CarSalesBase .
  21. Web site: Maserati sales down 21% in 2018. Time to sell? . Fiat Group World . Car Industry Analysis . 2019-04-22 . Juan Felipe . Muñoz-Vieira . https://web.archive.org/web/20221203223736/https://fiatgroupworld.com/2019/04/22/maserati-sales-down-21-in-2018-time-to-sell/ . 2022-12-03 .
  22. Web site: 2014 Maserati Ghibli . iihs.org . . 16 November 2014.
  23. Web site: 2021 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo review: Prioritizing performance.
  24. Web site: Estrada . Zac . 2 February 2014 . This Epic Maserati Ghibli Commercial Just Won The Super Bowl . Jalopnik.
  25. Web site: Maserati introduces Ghibli to Americans in Super Bowl spot . autoblog.com . 3 February 2014.