The all-new Maserati Ghibli marks a turning point in Maserati's
history. Unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show and arriving just
months after the new Quattroporte, the Ghibli gives Maserati two
four-door saloon models for the first time in its history.
The
Maserati Ghibli is smaller, shorter, lighter, more dynamic, less
expensive and more economical than the flagship Quattroporte and
provides a cornerstone in Maserati's plans to build 50,000 cars a year
by 2015.
Its petrol range provides high performance from both of
the power outputs from the Twin Turbo-charged, 3.0-litre V6 petrol
engines.
The Maserati Ghibli has a more-focused, sportier
philosophy than the larger Quattroporte and its most powerful model, the
Ghibli S, has 301 kW (410 hp) of power, races to 62mph in 5.0 seconds
and stretches out to a top speed of 177mph (285km/h).
The
Maserati Ghibli is also the first Maserati in history to be powered by a
diesel engine, with a turbo-diesel V6 producing all the sound,
refinement and driving pleasure typical of Maserati while delivering
fuel consumption over 47mpg (below 6 l/100km) on the NEDC combined cycle
. The Ghibli diesel will also become the first Maserati with Start-Stop
technology.
It shares much of its core architecture, including
its crash safety, chassis, suspension architecture, engines and LED
headlight technology, with the larger Quattroporte, though it is 50 kg
lighter, 173 mm shorter in the wheel base and 291 mm shorter overall.
The
Maserati Ghibli's design team was challenged to produce a saloon that
emphasised its more dynamic driving characteristics through a more
aggressive visual personality, yet still maintained discernible visual
links with the Quattroporte.
The outline of the body reflects a
coupe-like philosophy for the four-door saloon, while there are strong
feline hints around the Ghibli's grille and headlights. The grille takes
its inspiration from the current GranTurismo and it can draw a line
back to the classic 1950s A6 GCS.
It also maintains Maserati's
distinctive C-pillar treatment, which delivers much of the coupe-like
stance and carries the classical Saetta Maserati logo, carrying on a
tradition dating back to 1963.
The side profile is dominated by a
swage line that runs from the traditional Maserati grille vents behind
the front wheels and finishes in the rear lights themselves.
Inside,
the Ghibli sets itself apart from the Quattroporte with a unique
dashboard design that perfectly matches its sportier and more youthful
character without losing any of the luxury expected from Maserati. The
Ghibli also delivers a sporty design combined with all the spaciousness
expected in an executive saloon from Maserati.
The Maserati
Ghibli, Ghibli S and Ghibli Diesel all utilise an eight-speed automatic
transmission to deliver their performance, providing seamless comfort
with fast gear shifting for hard acceleration.
All Ghibli models
deliver exquisite handling thanks to their perfectly balanced weight
distribution, a double-wishbone front suspension and a state-of-the-art
five-link rear suspension. It can now deliver the added security and
all-weather assurance of all-wheel drive as well.
It also
delivers new standards in quality in every area from design,
development, fabrication and process controls. It is produced in a new
plant that combines Maserati's traditions of craftsmanship with
cutting-edge technologies that are able to guarantee outstanding quality
by controlling even the tiniest of details.
The Maserati Ghibli
has entered the E-segment sports premium market with a marked advantage
in cabin craftsmanship and detailing, offering luxury features like the
Maserati Touch Control screen, reversing camera, Poltrona Frau leather
interior and the 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, as well
as WLAN-based WiFi and compatibility with most modern mobile phone
systems.
The original 1963 Quattroporte invented the concept of
the luxury sports saloon, the new Quattroporte continues to be the
genre's benchmark and now the Ghibli offers all of the Quattroporte's
qualities in a more dynamic, and more affordable package.
ENGINES
A
new range of completely innovative petrol engines,designed entirely by
Maserati and manufactured by Ferrari, form the beating heart of the
Ghibli. New proprietary Maserati V6 engines - all of which Twin Turbo,
latest GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) technology developed in strict
cooperation between the Maserati powertrain development team and the
Ferrari powertrain development team - are built in Maranello for
exclusive use of Maserati.
They are being produced in the Ferrari
plant in Maranello that is famous for its 60 years of passion and
cutting-edge technology.
This new generation of Maserati engines is more powerful, more exciting to drive and more eco-friendly than ever.
The
Maserati Ghibli will be available with two versions of its
twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel
engine.
The most powerful of the V6 petrol engines will be fitted
to the rear-wheel drive Ghibli S. This engine produces 301 kW (410hp)
of power at 5500 rpm and 550 Nm of torque from just 1750 rpm.
The Ghibli S will reach 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. It has a quoted top speed of 285 km/h (177mph).
The
more affordable V6 petrol engine variant not only has an impressive 243
kW (330 hp) of power and 500 Nm of torque, but also delivers a combined
fuel economy figure of just 9.6 litres/100km (29.4mpg). It is much more
than a fuel saving car, though, and is capable of accelerating to
100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
The Maserati Ghibli Diesel becomes
the first car in Maserati's near-100 year history to use a diesel power
unit. In keeping with Maserati traditions, it is the most powerful
single-turbo 3-litre engine on the market with its 275 Hp and 600 Nm of
torque at 2,000 rpm.
It is capable of sprinting to 100 km/h in
6.3 seconds and hitting a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph), even though it
emits just 158 grams of CO2/km and uses just 5.9 litres/100 km
(47.8mpg) on the NEDC combined cycle.
In another first for the
Maserati brand, all Ghibli models will have an Active Speed Limiter
function as standard equipment. Activated (and deactivated) via a button
on the steering wheel, the Active Speed Limiter function lets the
driver set a maximum speed for the car, which can be over-ridden by
pushing the accelerator pedal through the "kick down".
GHIBLI S V6 ENGINE
The
most powerful version of the Ghibli's 2987 cc V6 shares much of its
technology with the Quattroporte's flagship 3.8-litre V8 engine.
With
301 kW (410hp) of power at 5500 rpm, the downsized V6 TwinTurbo
delivers big V8 performance with 550 Nm of torque between 4500 rpm and
5000 rpm.
The V6's maximum engine speed of 6500 rpm, yet it
delivers 90 percent of its 550 Nm of torque from 1600 rpm and its
specific torque is actually higher than the V8's, at 183 Nm per litre.
It also has an overboost function that is capable of providing the
engine's maximum boost between 1750 rpm and 5000 rpm.
It uses the
V8's petrol direct injection technology, cylinder architecture and
combustion technology along with two low-inertia parallel turbochargers
and four continuous camshaft phasers. It uses high-pressure fuel
injection to deliver its fuel at around 200 bars of pressure.
The
Maserati Ghibli S accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, a tenth of a
second faster to 100 km/h than the corresponding Quattroporte S.
It has a top speed of 285 km/h (177mph) top speed almost matching the Quattroporte S.
The
engine is also efficient, given its powerful performance numbers. The
Ghibli S posts 10.4 (27.2mpg) on the NEDCcombined cycle.
The Ghibli S emits 242 grams of CO2/km.
The
V6 engine's parallel turbochargers are slightly different to the
twin-scroll units on the V8, but it retains the V8's core dimensions
with its bore measurement unchanged at 86.5 mm.
It uses
high-tumble cylinder heads and two continuous cam phasers for each
cylinder head; it can advance or retard the inlet and exhaust valve
timing independently in real time four-phase variators for optimal
combustion control for high performance and low consumption.
Another
characteristic feature of the new Maserati engine family is the 200 bar
direct fuel-injection system. This very high pressure helps atomise the
fuel, thus improving the fuel-air mixture and optimising combustion at
higher engine speeds.
The Maserati Ghibli S has two intercoolers -
one to feed each of the turbo chargers -mounted low on either side of
the main radiator to catch a constant supply of fresh, cool air.
The
engine also uses a state-of-the-art ECU, with integral high-speed
processors, which handle an array of shifting functions in real time.
Maserati
Powertrain has also switched to on-demand ancillaries, with a variable
displacement oil pump that works under electrical control for improved
consumption and performance.
It also uses an innovative, computer
control of the alternator, which monitors the vehicle's electricity
consumption and manages the alternator's workload to suit.
The
engine also operates in both Normal and Sport modes, along with Manual
versions of either mode, operated by elongated shift paddles fixed to
the steering column.
The new Maserati Ghibli also makes available
the I.C.E. (Increased Control and Efficiency) strategy, a function
aimed at reducing consumption, emissions and noise. This is a
user-select strategy that delivers a softer throttle pedal response for
smooth driving, cancels the turbocharger's over-boost function and keeps
the exhaust's Sport flaps closed until 5000 rpm. It also adjusts the
gear changes to make them softer and slower and reduces torque at each
gear's take-up point.
Like the Quattroporte's engine family, the
Ghibli V6 engines were developed by Maserati Powertrain, in partnership
with Ferrari Powertrain, and will be built by Ferrari in its
world-leading engine construction facility in Maranello.
GHIBLI V6 ENGINE
The
second turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine available on the Ghibli
has 243kW (330hp) of power at 5.000rpm, This engine has been designed to
offer an outstanding driving experience and versatile utilisation with
low fuel consumption. Not only has it got an impressive power of 243kW
and a torque of 500Nm, but it delivers a combined fuel economy of just
9.6 litres/100km (29.4mpg) with 223 grams of CO2 emissions/km, and is
capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
GHIBLI V6 DIESEL ENGINE
The Maserati Ghibli's highly advanced V6 diesel engine will be the first of its kind in Maserati's history.
The
2987 cc V6 turbo-diesel develops 202 kW (275 hp) of power and a
crushing 600 Nm of torque, both of which help it from rest to 100 km/h
in just 6.3 seconds. Critically, its NEDC combined fuel economy figure
is 5.9 litres per 100 km (47.8mpg) and it emits just 158 grams of CO2
per kilometre.
It uses highly advanced Common-Rail direct fuel
injection with 2000 bar of injection pressure and it also features
reduced-dwell-time injectors. This helps it to deliver sequential
multiple injections for highly responsive performance and cleaner
emissions.
It uses a single, variable-geometry turbo charger and the fabricated exhaust manifold includes air-gap.
It
is also the first Maserati to use Start-Stop technology, which can
lower the fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions by up to six percent,
depending on the route and the traffic density. The system turns the
engine off when the car comes to a stop and turns it on again almost
instantly whenever the accelerator pedal is depressed.
Every
Maserati can be identified instantly by its engine note and, thanks to
its new Maserati Active Sound system, the Maserati Ghibli Diesel is no
different.
Two sound actuators, fitted near the exhaust
tailpipes, accentuate the engine's most distinctive tones and modulate
them precisely to suit the way the car is being driven. When the driver
presses the Sport button on the central tunnel, the sound becomes even
more resonant and utterly inspiring.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
In the
best Maserati tradition, the sound and performance of the Ghibli's
exhaust system is controlled by pneumatic valves in the pipes emerging
from each bank and passes through the unique Maserati Sound Tank to
maintain the rich aural tradition of the brand.
In the default
Normal mode, the bypass valves are closed to give a comfortable and
discreet engine sound, which emerges through four sport exhaust tips.
In
Sport mode, not only does the car adjust a variety of handling
parameters, but also the exhaust valves are opened, giving the shortest
possible, high-energy route for the exhaust gases, which gives the
Ghibli its maximum engine performance and the unique Maserati engine
sound.
TRANSMISSION
All versions of the Maserati Ghibli are
fitted with the same ZF AT8 - HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission
that has already proven itself in the new Quattroporte.
The
transmission delivers in every parameter, from comfort to fast gear
shifting, and from minimised fuel consumption to low NVH (Noise,
Vibration and Harshness).
As befitting Maserati tradition, it is
capable of being in five dedicated shift modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport,
Manual Normal, Manual Sport and the extreme weather I.C.E mode.
Auto
Normal is the Ghibli 's default setting and performs its gear changes
with fluid shifts at low engine speeds to emphasise the car's comfort
and to minimise fuel consumption.
The Auto Sport mode sees the
transmission switch character to change gears with greater alacrity at
higher engine speeds and deliver a distinct gear engagement to enhance
the powertrain's sporting feel.
In both of these modes, the car
recognises a variety of conditions, such as whether the car is
travelling up or down hill, is braking hard or is driving through a
corner, and selects the best gear and the best gear-shift style
accordingly.
The transmission can also be controlled manually by selecting the M button on the transmission tunnel.
In
Manual Normal mode, the driver can change gear with either the
elongated gearshift paddles attached to the steering column or by using
the transmission lever. The driver is in charge of the gear selection,
though the system will intervene and change to a lower gear if the
engine revs drop too low, or change to a higher gear if the engine revs
climb too high.
In Manual Sport mode, however, the gearshifts are
at their fastest and crispest, giving the driver full control of the
powertrain. The system will not intervene, even if the driver strikes
the engine's rev limiter. It will only intervene if the engine's revs
drop too low to be effective in a given gear.
The I.C.E
(Increased Control Efficiency) mode is designed for remarkable fuel
economy, relaxed driving and extremely low grip conditions. The
transmission changes gear as softly as possible, both going up through
the gears and returning back down.
All gearshift modes can be selected via buttons on the left of the gear knob.
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
As
has become expected of Maserati, the Ghibli also utilises a mechanical
limited-slip rear differential as well, in both its rear- and all-wheel
drive versions.
The Ghibli is the only car in its class to use a
standard mechanical limited slip differential in all its versions in
order to deliver the best inherent traction in all driving situations.
The bevel-drive, asymmetric unit offers 35 percent lock-up under power and 45 percent under release.
The
rear differential is driven via a two-piece, 80 mm-thick light-weight
steel prop shaft with two constant velocity joints and a head rubber
coupling, which runs through a cross member-mounted rubber bearing for
lower NVH levels without compromising rigidity.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The
Maserati Ghibli's design ethos emphasises its more dynamic driving
characteristics while maintaining visible links with the larger
Quattroporte and delivering a more aggressive visual personality.
The
outline of the body reflects a coupe-like philosophy for the four-door
saloon, while there are strong feline hints around the Ghibli's grille
and headlights. The dominating grille takes its inspiration from the
current GranTurismo and it can draw a line back to the classic A6 GCS of
the 1950s.
It also maintains Maserati's distinctive C-pillar
treatment, which delivers much of the stunning coupe-like stance and
carries the classical Saetta Maserati logo, carrying on a tradition
dating back to 1963. It is gloss black in colour and its variable cross
section contrasts with both the satin chrome surrounding it and the
Trident symbol at its centre.
The grille design is accentuated by
the flow of the front quarter panels, which emphasise the shape of the
engine compartment lid, then run into the headlights at the front. The
shape of the headlights converges onto the Trident symbol, with every
angle designed to attract the eye to Maserati's legendary badge.
The
side profile is dominated by a swage line that runs from the
traditional Maserati grille vents behind the front wheels and finishes
in the rear lights themselves.
With its long wheelbase, total
length and wide tracks, the Ghibli comes together as one of the
sportiest and most elegant looking cars in the E-segment.
The
Maserati Ghibli's body and underbody design fulfils the sporty promise
of its looks, with a low drag coefficient of 0.31 to keep fuel
consumption low and increase stability at the high speeds that, of the
E-segment category, only the Ghibli is capable of.
CHASSIS
It
may be closely related to the Quattroporte, but the Ghibli has a
character all its own thanks to its combination of double-wishbone front
suspension and a state-of-the-art, multi-link rear suspension with the
option of the active Skyhook system, part-time all-wheel drive, firm
suspension damping and powerful braking system.
Like the
Quattroporte, its chassis design is based around a rigid and extremely
secure steel safety cell that employs an array of different steel and
aluminium alloys to deliver precise strengths and minimal weight.
The
front of its chassis is based around an aluminium casting with a
reinforced cross-strut which helps deliver outstanding rigidity in all
directions, while the rear of the chassis is made from rolled steel.
BODY
The
chassis of the new Ghibli shares its core architecture with the
Quattroporte and has been precisely designed to meet the performance and
comfort demands of Maserati buyers, and meets all foreseeable safety
regulations.
Based around a rigid and extremely secure steel
safety cell, it uses an array of different steel and aluminium alloys,
each designated a precise task to maximise strength, minimise weight and
retains the sports saloon's perfect 50 : 50 weight distribution in its
rear-drive models.
The front of the chassis is based around an
aluminium casting, with a reinforced cross-strut which helps deliver
outstanding rigidity in all directions, while the rear of the chassis is
made from rolled steel.
The choice of aluminium for the bulk of
the Maserati Ghibli's body panels was based around the delivery of the
maximum possible occupant safety for the lowest possible weight.
Accordingly, all four doors and the bonnet hood are all made from
aluminium.
Along with the freedom it allowed Maserati's
designers, the choice of aluminium has also had a positive impact on
reducing weight, reducing its fuel consumption and lowering its
emission.
Other exotic materials are also used in the Ghibli's
body, including ultra-light weight magnesium, which is used in the
dashboard's cross strut.
SUSPENSION
Double wishbone suspension
layouts are a race-bred tradition at Maserati and the Ghibli continues
with this heritage but also incorporates some new technologies for
greater accuracy.
Utilising a suspension layout and software
system that has already proven a hit in the Quattroporte, the Ghibli has
high-mounted all-aluminium double wishbones at the front to guarantee
light and precise handling characteristics.
Aluminium is the
dominant metal of the front suspension system, with the dome nuts, the
hub carrier bars and uprights all made from forged aluminium, while the
springs are steel. This matches up to constantly adaptive Skyhook
dampers and an anti-roll bar.
The geometry of the system has
delivered a quadrilateral architecture, which has enabled Maserati's
handling team to deliver steering that is precise, communicative and
comfortable.
The rear suspension employs a firmer version of the
Quattroporte's five-bar multi-link system, with four aluminium
suspension arms, and has achieved the conflicting targets of executive
ride comfort and extreme sports performance.
The Ghibli's
suspension package is based around a fixed rate damping system to
control the movement of its steel springs and anti-roll bars.
All
Ghiblis are available with the option of the Skyhook adaptive damping
system, where all four Skyhook dampers can now be electronically
controlled independent of each other. This is a variation of the
Quattroporte's standard system, though its performance and tuning has
been heavily modified to cater for the Maserati Ghibli's more dynamic
ethos.
The default mode for the optional Skyhook system
prioritises comfort, and then becomes more athletic if the driver
presses the suspension button. This extra damping stiffness pushes the
Ghibli's handling to even higher levels and its tune was developed in
both extreme test scenarios and on the racetrack. Essentially, it
drastically reduces both longitudinal and lateral load transfers and
minimises body roll to bring out the sportiest side of the car's
character.
The computer system in control of the Skyhook dampers
monitors an enormous array of parameters, including speed and lateral
and longitudinal acceleration, individual wheel movements, body movement
and damper dynamics.
Adjusting also to suit the suspension mode
chosen by the driver, the system delivers the perfect damping mode for
each wheel almost instantly.
Late this year, the Ghibli Diesel
will be available with the option of a Sports suspension setup, which
will be based around the fixed damping system rather than the optional
Skyhook system.
While the architecture of the Sport suspension is
unchanged, it lowers the ride height by 10 mm and uses stiffer springs
and firmer, dual-rate Koni dampers that adjust to varying conditions.
This is available only on these two models to counteract their slightly
heavier front weight distribution (51 : 49).
WHEELS AND TYRES
Featuring 18-inch rims as standard equipment, the Ghibli is also available with 19", 20" or 21-inch rims as well.
While
the 18'' 19" and 20" alloys are crafted from flow-forming technology
that reduces the core thickness of the wheels and prioritises light
weight without sacrificing stiffness and strength.
The 21" rim is a forged alloy wheel, which also emphasises light weight and is no heavier than the 20" rim.
All
the Maserati Ghibli's rims have been designed and engineered to enhance
both the visual design of the body and to lower the unsprung masses to
improve grip and handling.
The 18'' wheel rims, a 12 spoke-design, ensure a dynamic effect.
On the Ghibli and Ghibli Diesel versions they have the same 235/50 size for front and rear.
On Ghibli S they get staggered size with 235/50 at the front and 275/45 at the rear.
The
19" wheel, with its 245/45 front and 275/40 rear tyres, is geared
towards reduced fuel consumption combined with low road noise and long,
comfortable journeys.
The 20" wheel, with a 245/40 front tyre and
a 285/35 rear tyre, is the perfect compromise between sports and
comfort, while the 21" wheel, with a 245/35 front and 285/30 rear tyre
combination, is focused on sports handling.
All four wheel sizes are available with Pirelli, Dunlop and Continental tyres. All wheels can be fitted with winter tyres.
The
Ghibli also continuously monitors its tyre pressure with a sensor
mounted inside the rim, as part of the valve. The pressure can be read
off the display on the dashboard. If a tyre punctures or its pressure
changes, the system notifies the driver with visual and acoustic
warnings.
