Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 91

The Maserati Ghibli range
opens with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo-
diesel V6, producing 202kW of
power and 600Nm of torque, with
an eight-speed auto. It’s priced
at $138,990. GrandSport and
GranLusso are $159,990.
Of much more interest to
traditionalists is the pair of
Ferrari-designed and -built

3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6s.

The base petrol Ghibli, priced

at $139,990, puts down 257kW

at 5000rpm and 500Nm from

1750rpm for a 0–100km/h run of

5.6 seconds, before achieving an

impressive 263km/h.

A number of upgrades

(including different cam lobes,

ECU and fuel injectors) up the ante

considerably in the $175,990 Ghibli

S, resulting in 321kW at 5500rpm

and 580Nm from 4500rpm.

GranSport and GranLusso are

$163,990; in S specifi cation, the

price jumps to $184,990.

Much of the Ghibli’s

underpinnings are based on the

bigger Quattroporte’s architecture.

But, despite the part-aluminium

body, the S weighs in at a hefty

1810kg, so its off-the-line

performance is not as strong as

the supercar badge suggests.

Once the revs build, however,

the fi ve metre-long sedan surges

forward with impressive intent

(and a blistering mechanical

soundtrack), building up speed

with delicious ferocity, aided by

seamless gear changes.

Ghibli’s handling poise and

precision are exemplary, backed

up by exceptional grip and

superbly powerful brakes.

The cabin is both spacious

and opulent, offering plenty of

front-seat space, beautifully

crafted materials, sensibly

executed ergonomics and

storage options aplenty.

With German brands

becoming ubiquitous, the

Maserati Ghibli appeals to

buyers seeking something truly

unique. And, of course, Italian.

By Byron Mathioudakis

Maserati’s 2018 Quattroporte
range features two twin-
turbo petrol engines with an
eight-speed ZF automatic.
The 3.0-litre V6 Quattroporte,
with 257kW/500Nm, starts at
$214,990. With the same engine
producing 321kW/580Nm, the S

costs $239,990. GranLusso and

Gran Sport variants are also

available in both models, at a

$10,000-$35,990 premium. The

390kW/650Nm 3.8-litre V8 GTS

GranLusso and GranSport are

both $299,990.

With a full throttle overboost

function, the 3.8-litre turbo V8

can produce up to 710Nm.

It’s as smooth, potent

and elastic as a jet, but the

symphonic wail of the previous

GTS’s Ferrari-sourced 4.7-litre

V8 is gone, replaced by a bland

turbo whoosh, a faint far-away

rumble under power and a polite

blurt when you change gears.

There’s also a 202kW/600Nm

3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, priced

at $209,990. Do the words

“Maserati” and “diesel” sit well

together? Hmm ...

You can select Comfort or

Sport mode for the dampers,

however on either setting the

front end transmits far too much

road shock into the cabin.

On smooth bitumen, especially

when a few sweeping corners

are involved, the Maserati excels,

though electric steering has now

replaced the previous model’s

peerless hydraulic system.

The interior is a classic,

conservative luxury sedan,

with intuitive touchscreen

functionality plus a few graphics

and switches borrowed from (say

this very quietly) Jeep.

GranLusso spec includes a

Zegna Edition interior with silk

upholstery and timber trim.

GranSport includes 21-inch alloys

and sports seats. You can option

the back seat to a two- or three-

person confi guration.

Safety

Not yet tested

Green Vehicle

Guide

Not yet rated

Performance

Handling

Quality, reliability

Comfort and

refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE FROM $209,990

 Good fuel effi ciency

 Limo-like refi nement

 Vast interior space

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Turbocharged V8s aren’t as

beautiful as atmo V8s

Slow-shifting auto

Limited front-end travel

SPEX (GTS GranSport))

Made in Italy

3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol/eight-

speed automatic/rear-wheel drive

390kW of power at 6800rpm/650Nm

of torque from 2000–4000rpm

0–100km/h in 4.7 seconds (claimed)

7.9L/100km highway; 15.6L/100km

city; 98 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 250g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Stability control, six

airbags, 21-inch alloys, blind spot

monitoring, automatic emergency

braking, surround cameras, bi-

xenon headlights, heated front seats,

Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android

Auto, leather.

Redbook future values: 3yr: 44%;

5yr: 32%

THINGS WE LIKE

 Still looks Italian

 Potent twin-turbo V8 performance

compare with ...

Audi A7/S7/RS7, Mercedes S-Class,

Porsche Panamera

MASERATI GHIBLI FROM $138,990

Safety

Not yet tested

Green Vehicle

Guide

Not yet rated

Performance

Handling

Quality, reliability

Comfort and

refi nement

Value for money



Overall



STARS

 Twin-turbo V6 petrol soundtrack

 It’s not German

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

 Firm ride over rougher roads

 Twin-turbo V6’s thirst when pushed

 Overweight

 Some rattles evident in test car

 Pricey

SPEX (Ghibli S)

 Made in Italy

 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol/eight-

speed automatic/rear-wheel drive

 321kW of power at 5500rpm/580Nm

of torque from 2250- 4000rpm

 0–100km/h in 4.9 seconds (claimed)

 7.1L/100km highway; 13.8L/100km

city; 98 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 223g/km

 Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

 Standard: Stability control, six airbags,

alarm, rear camera, 18-inch alloy

wheels, leather, automatic bi-xenon

headlights, sunroof, Bluetooth,

navigation, side and rear window

blinds, blind spot monitoring

 Redbook future values: 3yr: 47%;

5yr: 33%

THINGS WE LIKE

 Sensuous, muscular styling

 Chassis poise and control

 Enjoyable steering feel

compare with ...

Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5/6

Series Gran Coupe, Audi A6/A7,

Jaguar XF