Maserati Ghibli Hybrid touches down in Aus

MASERATI has announced the pricing for its first-ever electrified model, the Ghibli Hybrid large sedan, which arrives Down Under as the entry point to the Italian luxury line-up from $139,990 plus on-road costs.

The new green variant undercuts the previous range-opening Ghibli by $4910 ($144,900), with the Trident brand set to expand its electrified line-up “soon” with the recently revealed Levante Hybrid SUV.

Like other Ghibli grades, the Hybrid will also be made available in the more luxurious GranLusso and performance-focused GranSport trim levels, which will both ask $163,990 – a $24,000 premium over the regular version, consistent with the price jump on the V6 Ghibli. 

Maserati has underpinned its newest model with a mild-hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a 48-volt alternator and additional electric supercharger supported by a battery.

The sole four-cylinder option in Maserati’s range, the hybrid powertrain develops a combined 246kW at 5750rpm and 450Nm at 4000rpm, driving the rear wheels only via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with a mechanical limited-slip differential fitted to the rear axle for added traction. 

Standstill to 100km/h is completed in 5.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 255km/h.

Combined fuel consumption is rated at between 8.5-9.6 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions check in at between 192-216 grams of CO2 per kilometre, with homologation still ongoing.

Like other hybrids, Maserati’s system stores kinetic energy from deceleration and braking into the battery, which is mounted in the rear of the car in the name of weight distribution.

Nevertheless, luggage space remains unchanged at 500 litres, however the hybrid is marginally heavier than its pure-petrol counterpart.

Unsurprisingly, the hybrid proves more frugal compared to the base-level Ghibli and its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, which sips 10.7L/100km and emits 243g/km of CO2.

Despite its smaller displacement and greener nature, Maserati is touting the Ghibli Hybrid as retaining the brand’s signature emotional engine note thanks to the fitment of an optimised exhaust.

Keen trainspotters will be able to spot the Hybrid from the rest of the range by the blue trim accents found on the trio of side air ducts, the brake callipers and the bezel for the Trident badge on the C-pillar.

The front grille has been tweaked slightly with the vertical grille bars now resembling a tuning fork, while at the rear, the tail-light clusters have been restyled with a boomerang-like profile that harks back to the 3200 GT and Alfieri concept car.

The new blue hue is also found inside the car, with the leather seats embroidered in the colour.

Maserati’s latest-generation Android Auto-based multimedia system has been included, projected onto a larger 10.1-inch screen (up from 8.4 inches) that features improved HD graphics and is paired with a new instrument panel that also scores upgraded graphics.

Under the skin is double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, with stopping power coming courtesy of 345mm ventilated front discs with four-piston Brembo callipers, and 330mm rear discs clamped by floating single-pot callipers which can haul the large sedan up from 100-0km/h in 35.5 metres.

The Ghibli will soon be joined by the electrified Levante SUV, which is motivated by the same four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, and identifiable by the same blue touches on the side air ducts, brake callipers and C-pillar emblem.

Through the first quarter of the year, Maserati has sold 37 examples of the Ghibli, up 37.0 per cent year-on-year and giving it a 4.5 per cent slice of the $70,000-plus large car segment. 

Overall, the Trident brand has sold 129 new cars in the first three months of the year, up 10.3 per cent over the 117 managed to the same point in 2020.

2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs