Maserati Ghibli 2021 review: trophy
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- Verdict
Maserati has a certain meaning for a certain type of people. As the people who run the brand in Australia will tell you, its customers are people who have driven premium German cars but want something more.
They are older, wiser and, most importantly, richer.
While it's easy to see the appeal of Maserati's sexy Italian style and lavishly appointed interiors, they've always struck me as cruisers, not thugs.
Again, these are for an older buyer with more generous padding, making the Trofeo line something of an oddity. Maserati says its Trofeo badge - shown here on its Ghibli midsize sedan, which sits below the huge Quattroporte limousine (and next to the other car in the lineup, the Levante SUV) - is all about "The Art of Fast Driving." ".
And it's certainly fast, with a colossal V8 engine powering the rear wheels. It's also a completely crazy, luxurious car with the heart of a caterpillar-eating monster.
That's why Maserati decided to launch it at Sydney Motorsport Park, where we could see just how fast and crazy it was.
The big question is why? Or maybe someone, because it's hard to imagine who needs or needs a car with such severe schizophrenia.
| Maserati Ghibli 2021: trophy | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 3.8L |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 12.3l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $211,500 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
At $265,000, the idea of "value" becomes another subject of discussion, but you only need to look at the Ghibli to realize that it looks to be four times as expensive.
The interior is also strikingly boudoir-like, with carbon-fiber trim and full-grain Pieno Fiore full-grain leather, “the best the world has ever seen,” as Maserati likes to say.
Perhaps most importantly, this racing version of the Trofeo is powered by a Ferrari engine; A 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 with 433kW and 730Nm (first seen in the Ghibli), driving the rear wheels only through a limited slip differential and an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. You also get very good, expensive paddle shifters.
The Trofeo range consists of Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante.
Speaking of which, the Orione's 21-inch aluminum wheels are pretty darn cool, albeit reminiscent of Alfa Romeo cars.
Ghibli Trofeo models feature a Corsa or Race button for tough sporty driving and Launch Control.
There's also an MIA (Maserati Intelligent Assistant) with a fairly large 10.1-inch high resolution multimedia screen.
The 10.1-inch multimedia screen is equipped with the Maserati Intelligent Assistant.
Previously seen in the Ghibli, the Active Driving Assist “driving assistance feature” can now be activated on city roads and regular highways.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
The Ghibli Trofeo is an alluringly handsome car from nearly every angle, with a genuine sense of occasion and presence in its nose, a sleek side profile and a vastly improved rear where the headlights have been redesigned.
The special touches of the Trofeo are impossible to miss, especially from the driver's seat where you look straight into two huge nostrils on the hood. There are carbon fiber elements on the front duct and rear extractor, giving the car a sportier and wilder look.
The Ghibli Trofeo is an alluringly beautiful car.
However, the red details on the vents on each side are a highlight, and the lightning bolt on the Maserati trident badge is another nice touch.
The interior is just beyond special and seems even more expensive than it is. In general, I repeat, it is tempting. Italian styling at its best and the Ghibli is a Cinderella point in the lineup because the big brother Quattroporte is really too big and the Levante is an SUV.
The interior is spectacularly similar to a boudoir.
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
From the driver's seat, the Trofeo Ghibli does feel roomy, and while it's not as roomy in the back as the Quattroporte, it has enough room for two adults or even three small children.
The desire to give the Ghibli a sporty look has resulted in it having solid yet amazing seats. They are comfortable, the leather is luxurious, but the real seat back constantly makes it clear that this is no ordinary Ghibli.
From the driver's seat, the Trofeo Ghibli feels spacious.
Throw it around the track, though, and the seats feel just right, providing the support you need.
Cargo space is ample, at 500 liters, and the Ghibli feels like the kind of car you could take your family in, if only it didn't make you feel like you're spoiling your kids too much.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10
This will be the last time Maserati gets to enjoy a real Ferrari engine - a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 with 433kW and 730Nm - before it moves into a more electrified future, but it will certainly come out with more loud bangs.
A stunningly beautiful V8 driving the rear wheels will get you to a screaming 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds (quick, but not that stupid, although it seems even faster) on your way to a true Italian top speed of 326 km/h. hour
Connected to the V8 is an eight-speed automatic transmission.
We can report that it accelerates to 200 km/h with unsurpassed ease and has incredible torque.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Maserati claims a slightly inaccurate fuel economy figure of 12.3 to 12.6 liters per 100 km, but good luck getting there. The urge to turn on the taps and really chew on some fuel will be overwhelming.
We've ridden it on a race track and it would easily top 20 liters per 100km, so our test figure is probably best left unsaid.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
There is no ANCAP rating for Ghibli as it has not been tested here.
The Trofeo Ghibli comes with six airbags, Blind Spot Detection, Forward Collision Warning Plus, Pedestrian Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Driver Assistance and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
Maserati offers a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, but you can buy a 12-month or two-year warranty extension, and even a sixth or seventh year powertrain warranty extension.
When much, much cheaper Japanese and Korean cars offer seven or even 10 year warranties, that's so far off the pace that such a fast car should be embarrassing. And if you're buying something Italian, a better and longer warranty seems like a must. I would negotiate with the sale to have them add an offer for a longer warranty.
The Maserati Trofeo badge represents the most extreme, track-oriented cars.
Maserati says the Ghibli service has an "approximate cost of $2700.00 for the first three years of ownership" with a service schedule every 20,000 km or 12 months (whichever comes first).
In addition, "Please note that the above is indicative only for the manufacturer's main scheduled maintenance schedule and does not include any consumable items such as tires, brakes, etc. or dealer surcharges such as environmental fees. etc.".
What is it like to drive? 8/10
We were lucky enough to drive all three Trofeo models - Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte - at the Sydney Motorsport Park circuit, which is really the only way to fully appreciate cars with 8kW rear wheel drive Ferrari V433 engines.
Maserati is keen to point out that other premium brands don't offer this kind of grunt in their rear wheel drive vehicles, in fact most of them are moving to all wheel drive vehicles and this level of playfulness is a true USP, he believes.
The fact is that the company also recognizes that its customers are older, wiser and wealthier than the German brands.
The Trofeo range in particular is a true niche within a niche. I imagine Maserati buyers a bit sedate but stylish. Fans of the nicer things in life, but not flashy or trashy about the cars they drive.
The Trofeo Ghibli experience is better than you can imagine.
And yet, unlike other Maserati, the Trofeo are fire-breathing beasts that sound like Game of Thrones dragons. Clearly, there are people out there who like their stylish Italian sedans to be insanely fast and track-ready. And cheers for them, because, oddly enough, to hit such a car so hard, the Trofeo Ghibli was really ready for it.
It's also a better choice, as it's less SUV-like than the Levante SUV, and less stupidly long and heavy than the Quattroporte.
Its shorter wheelbase and lighter weight make it the funniest and lightest on your feet when tossed around. We hit a light speed of 235 km/h on the front straight before rushing into the first turn well north of 160 km/h and the Ghibli just held on tight before using its torque to throw it into the next corner.
Sounds, like I said, amazing, but it's worth reiterating because that's the real advantage of Maserati (or Ferrari, really) choosing this car.
Trofeos are fire-breathing beasts that look like dragons from Game of Thrones.
The brakes are also suitable for repetitive hard stops on the track, the steering is lighter and less talkative than a Ferrari perhaps but still excellent, and the whole Trofeo Ghibli experience is best described on the track as better than you could. possible to imagine.
On the road, you don't have to put up with the hard ride that pushing the Corsa's button brings, and the Ghibli is back to being a soft cruiser, yet looking sporty as hell.
The only disappointment is the seats, which are a bit firm, but everything else in the cabin is so luxurious you almost forgive it.
While this car doesn't make any sense to me, it clearly excites enough people for Maserati to make a business case and ask for $265,000 for the Trofeo Ghibli. Good luck to them, I say.
Verdict
The Maserati Trofeo Ghibli is a very strange beast, but there is no doubt that it is a beast. Fast, loud and capable on the race track, and yet very much like a stylish, expensive Italian family sedan, it's truly unique. And really weird, in a good way.
