2014 Maserati Ghibli, 2014 Maserati Ghibli Images Review :
A mainstreamish play from an exotic automaker.
Whatever you thought Maserati stood for, you’re going to have to rethink it. In the space of three years, the brand will rediscover turbocharging, introduce a diesel engine, build an SUV (the Levante) and a second, smaller sedan (this Ghibli), and offer all-wheel drive in both of its four-door cars. All this in an effort to increase its 2012 global sales eightfold to 50,000 in 2015 and give Ferrari’s older brother the scale it needs to be stable.
The plan doesn’t lack ambition, and the process has already started with the launch of the turboed, AWD-optional new Quattroporte. We’ve just driven the 2014 Ghibli, the smaller sedan based on the QP. Maserati hopes it will rival “four-door coupes” such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class, Audi A7, and BMW 6-series Gran Coupe, as well as their conventional sedan brethren, and provide about half of the sales growth.
With Maserati, a racing heart has always been standard, of both the mechanical and biological types. The two twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6s with which the Ghibli will debut in the U.S. are no exception. Designed by Schumacher-era Ferrari F1 engine guru Paolo Martinelli, built by Ferrari, and closely related to the senior QP’s 3.8-liter V-8, they will offer 345 horsepower in the base car and 404 horsepower in the S. The latter is shared with the Quattroporte and will only be available with the Q4 all-wheel-drive system. Both mate with ZF’s eight-speed automatic.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $65,000 ENGINES: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 345 hp, 369 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 404 hp, 406 lb-ft TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode |
DIMENSIONS: PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST): |
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