New Maserati Ghibli Hybrid 2021 details: Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series compete to fill hybrid gap in February

Maserati among hybrids: The Ghibli Hybrid fills a niche in the market, both literally and figuratively.

Maserati's first-ever hybrid, as well as the four-cylinder Maserati of the modern era, has proven its time for Australia as the Italian luxury sports car brand forges ahead with electrification.

Known simply as the Ghibli Hybrid, the Italian answer to the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Jaguar XF and Audi A6 will arrive in February alongside a line of flagship V8-powered Trofeo models for the Ghibli and Ghibli. its related older brother is the Quattroporte.

Pricing is expected to be in the region of $150,000 to $175,000 before travel expenses, which is good news for hybrid buyers as it gives the Ghibli Hybrid a clean open space between the price of around $120,000 for a Lexus GS450h and a Mercedes-Benz 300h. and over $200,000745 for the BMW XNUMXe.

Unveiled worldwide in July, the Ghibli Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (from the unit found in the Giulia and Stelvio Alfa Romeo) connected to a 48-volt mild hybrid system that consists of a battery, DC/DC converter, starter motor- belt driven alternator and eBooster electric blower. Additional equipment for electrification actually improves the weight distribution of the sedan.

The result is a maximum power output of 246 kW at 5750 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm, which are sent to the rear axle via a ZF-supplied eight-speed automatic transmission.

According to European data, the 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 5.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 255 km/h, and in terms of fuel consumption and emissions, the Ghibli hybrid returns 8.6 to 9.6 liters per 100 km on the WLTP combined cycle . and a carbon dioxide rating of 192-216 grams per kilometer, respectively.

At the other end of the scale, the Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo will be powered by Ferrari's 441-litre, 730kW/3.8Nm twin-turbocharged V8 engine, first seen in the recently launched Levante Trofeo SUV. Like the hybrid, their rear wheels are also driven by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While the Ghibli Trofeo can't match the all-wheel-drive version of the Levante in 0-100 mph in 3.9 seconds, it still manages a respectable 4.3 seconds and XNUMX seconds faster than the Quattroporte Trofeo.

Thanks to redesigned traction systems, as well as a new launch control feature, both are overall faster than a luxury SUV, with the ability to hit 326 km/h against the latter's 302 km/h V-max. Thus, there has never been a faster mass-produced Maserati sedan in history.

You'll be able to tell the Trofeo from the more mundane Ghiblis and Quattroportes by their redesigned double vertical bar grilles, carbon fiber air ducts on the bumper, red detailing, boomerang-style rear light clusters and 21-inch Orione alloy wheels. .

The Ghibli also has a different hood with air vents, while both sedans offer revised, Trofeo-specific instrumentation, improved driver-assistance technology, upgraded leather interiors and a larger touchscreen as part of an updated infotainment system.

Neither will be cheap, however, with the Ghibli Trofeo expected to approach $300,000 and the Quattroporte Trofeo up to $400,000, assuming the Levante Trofeo's premium is $150.