Maserati Ghibli S: driving test and video
Posted on 30-09-2013 at 16:00 by Wouter – 68 Comments”
Ghibli. It should be with a light Italian accent and preferably a bit of a melodious reverie is to be pronounced. Or there is reason to sing? Yes!
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
Maserati of parent company Fiat a clear mission: growth. Strong growth even, of 6288 cars in 2012 sales to rise to around 50,000 units per year. If you quickly say, it doesn’t seem much, but it comes down to is that Maserati is eight times as large. It is an explanation of why the Ghibli there actually is. Terms like entry-level or baby-Maserati are not really in place, but the fact is that it is thanks to the Ghibli will have a much lower price level to a new Maserati to buy. The Italians went to the Shanghai auto show to the newcomer for the first time to the public to show the (large) Chinese market beckons.
Quattroporte = Ghibli + Quattroporte
The previous generation Quattroporte was the best-a foreign car: the price tag of the most expensive from Germany, the space of a class below it and a engine sound where some supercars are crying for tucked away in a corner of the garage. It was and is a combination of features to fall in love with, but at the same time, there are also many potential purchasers, just a little more space (in the rear). So grew the Quattroporte, and there was space for a model below it: the Ghibli.
Engines
Immediately upon launch, announced Maserati three engines for the Ghibli and there is even a diesel. It is for the purists, a bit shocked, but in this segment are now once a lot of diesels sold. The 3.0 V6 diesel also produces 275 hp and 600 Nm, and sprint to 100 in 6,3 seconds. The NEDC consumption would be under 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres.
If you’re more of a petrol station wants to visit, offers Maserati also two 3.0 V6 and gasoline drinking. The entry-level model already delivers 330 hp (500 Nm), making the Ghibli in 5.6 seconds to 100 syringe. Really fun, however, with the twin-turbo V6 from the Ghibli S. The V6 produces 410 hp at 5500 rpm and a maximum torque of 550 Nm at 1750 rpm. Both engines are shared with Ferrari designed and Ferrari-built.
Already directly after the start gives the V6 to his business card: even idling sounds the block as if it feels like it. Riding the party will only increase, the V6 pulls and drags at it, and shouts you meet, especially the gas not to be frivolous to touch. We love to do in a car. It is where Maserati is great, but what is lost seemed to have gone when they have the V8 from the most recent Quattroporte developed. But they are back and how. This is where we get the term oorporno use.
Optional is the strongest V6 with four-wheel drive to get and then put the Ghibli in 4,8 seconds to 100 on the clock a steams by up to 284 km/h. With only rear wheel drive takes the standaardsprint exactly 5 seconds and increases the top speed to 285 km/h. The Italians apparently feel much not called to a German herenakkoord to keep a limiter on the Ghibli to screws.
Automatic transmission and differential lock are standard
Shifting in this class are becoming less commonplace, so all Ghibli’s get an eight speed automatic transmission. The tank does a good job and, of course, is there with flippers behind the steering wheel to turn. The only area for improvement of the entire powertrain is the “bite” that sometimes seems to miss. The Ghibli is not very aggressive out of the starting blocks, not even in the sport mode. Perhaps it is a small imperfection with a software update to fix, this apart, the snelheidspotentieel little to complain about.
As it should be on a sports achterwielaandrijver is a limited slip differential standard, where the German brands (on the AMG and M models) is not even available as an option. In the file is a sper completely useless, but on your favorite mountain road, it adds an extra dimension to the drive. A driftje is easily used, although you also have the slight hitch that the powertrain in. The balance in the Ghibli is nice, aided by the 50-50 weight distribution. The controller would have made more sense, may give, notice of any understeer can be clearer.
Finishing & electronic systems
Here the Italians the points. Finish, ergonomics and overall use of materials the Germans clearly better for each other. The same goes for the navigation system, if your state-of-the-art want, then you can buy the Maserati dealer to skip it. Do you want a system where you most things quite decently could do, the Ghibli does not disappoint.
Apart from ABS, ESP and airbags is the only named safety system in the press release the back-up camera. Lane keeping assist, dodehoek warning, active cruise control, collision warning system: it’s all not (yet) available. The Italians are clearly not concerned with the self-propelled car, a Maserati is a driver for on board. It will now still not many buyers can be prohibitive, but the market moves in that direction. Until that time, the Ghibli rider is fortunate is a very fine stuurmansauto for the door. The prices are solid: the V6 diesel costs € 80.376, the 330 hp V6 does € 87.831, the Ghibli S (410 hp) € 109.476, and the Ghibli S Q4 leave for € 114.705,- the showroom. A comparable A6, 5-series, E-class or XF is cheaper, so you have something to talk about with a pitchfork in the forefront to drive.
The previous generation Quattroporte was given the name “four door Ferrari”. For the diesel, it does not go on, but the petrol Ghibli’s can stick effortlessly over it. On the 29-inch shorter body comes the styling much better than the Quattroporte. The sound is top, the performances are top notch and what’s even most important: the Ghibli is a car where you with a big smile on or get out. Exactly as it should be in a Maserati. Movie!
Gallery: Maserati Ghibli S
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