2018 Maserati Ghibli review: S GranSport

So, two hundred thousand is burning a hole in your pocket, and you're looking to put out the flames by buying a full-size premium performance sedan.

Thoughts turn to Germany; in particular, bruised BMW M5 and storming Mercedes-AMG E63.

Both can blow asphalt off the road thanks to power outputs in the "600 horsepower" range and dynamic systems honed by reckless scientists in Munich and Affalterbach.

But what if you prefer to follow a less-predictable path? One that sends you due south to Modena in Northern Italy, the home of Maserati.

This is the Maserati Ghibli, especially the new S version, offering more power and torque than the standard version.

This is a well-known Italian brand of a serious sports sedan. But the question is the size of an elephant in a room: Why choose the less-trodden path? What does this Maserati have that the best BMW or Merc doesn't?

Maserati Ghibli 2018: St
Safety Rating
engine's type	3.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	9.6l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$107,000

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

For 2018, the Ghibli is available in two new trim levels. Add $20 to the "standard" price and you can choose between the luxury-focused GranLusso (including the option of Zegna silk interior trim!), or the more performance-oriented GranSport you see here, with high levels of comfort. exit version S, great in "Blu Emozione".

Some exterior touches set the S GranSport apart from other Ghibli variants.

The GranSport is identified by its unique front and rear bumpers, as well as a chrome concave grille, with two wings and a prominent splitter underneath it. 

Later Maserati design cues, including the three stylized front grille vents and aggressively angled (Adaptive LED) headlights, merge with classic elements such as the dainty trident badges on each C-pillar to form a distinctly dynamic exterior. It's also aerodynamically sleek and boasts a low drag coefficient of 0.29 (compared to 0.31 for the 2017 car).

The style really sets the Ghibli apart from the Germans.

Then you open the door and step inside. In this case, the bright-blue exterior is matched with a black and red interior. Make that mostly red, in fact mostly very red leather on the seats, dashboard and doors with signature touches such as an oval-shaped analog clock mounted on the dash, a hooded instrument binnacle and striking alloy-finished pedals that set the tone.

Taking a different path from its Teutonic rivals, the Ghibli S's dashboard/center console combination pairs smooth curves with sharp turns. Cover the trident badge and other brand memorabilia inside and it doesn't look like the usual suspects. This is a distinctive, characteristic design.

The interior isn't afraid to pair curves with the occasional twist.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that when you open the hood to impress your friends, they will actually be able to see the engine, or at least the main parts of it. Similar to alloy cam covers, complete with Maserati old cursive at the casting. Yes, there is some kind of plastic bandage on top, but the opportunity to see real metal warms the heart.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10

Front-seat passengers enjoy a spacious feel, thanks in large part to the gradual slope of the instrument panel towards the windshield, rather than the rigid vertical layout more commonly found in high-end sedans.

There are two cup holders in the center console, but finding anything more than a latte piccolo in them will not be easy. The same goes for doors. Yes, there are storage drawers, but forget water bottles or anything thicker than an iPad (in a Gucci case, of course).

However, there are some covered storage boxes in the center console, as well as a few connectivity options, including an "auxiliary input" jack, a USB port, an SD card reader and a 12V socket, and a dedicated box for your mobile phone (instead of now retired DVD player).

Although it doesn't look like it, the Ghibli S is almost five meters long and two meters wide, but slightly longer and wider than the M5 and E63 (linear ball in height).

No wonder there's plenty of room in the back. I was able to sit in the driver's seat, set for my 183cm height, with plenty of legroom and more than enough headroom. The space for your legs under the front seat is a bit cramped, but that's far from a critical issue. Three large adults in the back are doable, but cramped.

There’s 500 litres of cargo capacity in the boot.

There are two adjustable rear passenger vents, seatback map pockets, small door shelves, as well as a neatly configured storage box and a (small) double cup holder in the fold-down center armrest.

The rear seat backrests fold 60/40, which increases the standard luggage compartment volume to 500 liters and increases loading flexibility. There's a 12V outlet, a side mesh pocket, and decent rear lighting. But don't bother looking for a spare, a repair kit is standard, and a space-saving 18-inch is an option.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

Cost of entry to this exclusive Italian club is $175,990 (plus on-road costs) for the Ghibli S, with an additional $20,000 opening up the choice of Ghibli S GranLusso or S GranSport ($195,990).

Lots of changes, and in the same territory as the M5 and E 63, so what does that mean in terms of standard features and technology? 

First, the S GranSport is fitted with 21-inch "Titano" alloy wheels and features an eight-speaker 280W Harman/Kardon audio system (including DAB digital radio). You'll also enjoy extended leather trim (including a leather sports steering wheel), interior accents in carbon and black, 12-way adjustable power and heated front seats, keyless entry and start, satellite navigation, LED headlights, sun power rear window blinds, power trunk lid (with hands-free mode) and soft-close doors.

The 8.4-inch color multimedia touchscreen is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There's also dual-zone climate control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera (plus surround view), rain-sensing wipers, sunroof, ambient lighting, alloy pedals, 7.0-inch TFT. instrument display and 8.4-inch color multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto present and accountable.

That's a lot of juicy fruit, which is the entrance fee to this sparse market area.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

The Ghibli S is powered by a 3.0-litre, 60-degree, twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine developed by Maserati Powertrain in Modena and built by Ferrari in Maranello.

The twin-turbo V6 delivers 321kW/580Nm, and thankfully there's more to see under the hood than just plastic.

This is an all-alloy unit with direct injection, variable valve timing (intake and exhaust), low-inertia parallel turbines and a pair of intercoolers.

While it can't match the Germans on a straight line, the Ghibli S still puts out just over 321kW, or around 430 horsepower at 5500rpm, and 580Nm of torque in the 2250-4000rpm range. . That's 20kW/30Nm more than the previous Ghibli S.

Drive goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 9.6 l / 100 km, while 223 g / km CO2 is emitted. And you're looking at 80 liters of 98 octane premium unleaded gasoline to fill the tank. Start-stop is standard.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

So the first thing to say is that the Ghibli S GranSport is fast, but it's not in the same eye-opening league as the M5 and E63. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is completed in 4.9 seconds, and if you're in the game (and your road is long enough), the claimed top speed is 286 km/h. For reference, the just-released (F90) M5 is said to hit triple digits in 3.4 seconds, while the E 63 in 3.5.

The V6 turbo sounds nice and throaty in Sport settings, the soundtrack controlled by pneumatic valves in each exhaust bank. In "normal" mode, the bypass valves are closed to 3000 rpm for a more civilized tone and volume.

Peak torque is available in a usable 2250 to 4000 rpm range, and the twin-turbo setup helps with linear power delivery, and the eight-speed automatic is quick and confident, especially in manual mode.

The sports seats (12-way electric adjustable) feel great, a 50/50 front to rear weight distribution helps the car feel balanced, and the standard LSD helps put power to the ground without fuss in tight going.

And despite a curb weight of 1810kg, it actually manages to feel lighter and more attractive than its high-end and very powerful German rivals.

Braking is provided by large (red) six-piston Brembo calipers up front and four-piston rear on vented and perforated rotors (360mm front and 345mm rear). They do the job, and the claimed stopping distance from 100 km/h is an impressive 0 meters.

The new electric power steering (a first for a Maserati) is light at parking speeds, but it turns well, and road feel improves when the speedometer turns to the right.

Suspension is double-link at the front and five-link at the rear, and despite the large 21-inch rims wrapped in high-performance Pirelli P Zero tires (245/35 front and 285/30 rear), ride comfort is surprisingly good, even on mottled surfaces. 

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10

Maserati's "ADAS" (Advanced Driver Assistance Package) comes standard on the Ghibli S and now includes lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

There's also AEB, forward collision warning, "Advanced Brake Assist", "Rear Cross Path" and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2018 Ghibli Sedan and the larger Quattroporte Sedan are also the first Maserati to be equipped with IVC (Integrated Vehicle Control), an adapted version of ESP (Electronic Stability Program) using an intelligent controller to predict driving situations, adapt engine speed and torque vectoring (by braking) . ) in reply.

The "Maserati Stability Program" (MSP) also includes ABS (with EBD), ASR, engine braking torque control, "Advanced Brake Assist" and hill assist.

In terms of passive safety, the Ghibli is equipped with seven airbags (front head, front side, driver's knee and full-length curtain), as well as head restraints with whiplash protection.

At the rear there are three upper child seat anchorages with ISOFIX anchorages in the two extreme positions.

Although not rated by the ANCAP, the Ghibli received a maximum of five stars from EuroNCAP.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Maserati is backing the Ghibli S GranSport with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, which is now a far cry from Tesla's industry-leading eight-year (160,000 km) mileage and Kia's seven-year (unlimited km) mileage.

But the recommended service interval is two years/20,000 km, and the Maserati Maintenance program offers prepaid schedules for Ghibli and Quattroporte owners, including necessary inspections, components and supplies.

Verdict

Maserati will tell you that people are drawn to its racing heritage and sporty DNA, and that the Ghibli offers something new in a world of grey, business-like conformity.

There's no doubt that the M5 and E63 are left-lane autobahn hot rods, stunningly fast but relatively far away. The Ghibli S offers a more subtle driving experience. And the design details throughout the car are really connected to the history of the brand.

So, before moving on to Deutsche, you might want to think about the highly emotional Italian relationship.

Does the Maserati Ghibli S GranSport put dynamic character at the top of your list of premium sedans? Tell us what you think in the comments below.