Updated Maserati Ghibli touches down

MASERATI has brought its tweaked large-sized Ghibli luxury sedan to Australia with new options packs, a new infotainment system, more power for its mid-tier sedan and a price rework including a $10,090 price hike for the range-topping S variant.

Revealed during the Paris motor show in September, the 2017 Ghibli range kicks off with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 for $138,990 ($910 cheaper than last year’s version) before moving to the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol-powered Ghibli for $143,990 ($90 more expensive) and topping out with same powerplant in the flagship S for $179,990.

Diesel-powered variants produce 202kW/600Nm, enough to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h, while mid-spec petrol Ghiblis gain an additional 15kW for a maximum output of 257kW/500Nm, which will carry it from 0-100km/h in 5.5s and top out at 267km/h.

Ghibli S output is 301kW/550Nm and it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.0s before reaching a top speed of 267km/h.

All versions are mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

On the outside, the new Ghibli looks no different than last year’s version, however, Maserati has introduced new optional Sport and Luxury styling packages for customers who want a bespoke look.

For $13,000, Sports packages will add sports seats and a sports steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles, while the Sports Carbon pack will include additional carbon-fibre highlights.

The Luxury pack starts at $16,000 and includes premium leather upholstery and a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system which has been “designed specifically to match the audio responses of the Ghibli interior”, according to Maserati.

An Advanced Driver Assistance Systems package is also available for $5384 which adds adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision detection with brake assist and automated emergency braking.

The Ghibli now gets a new Android Auto and Apple CarPlay-compatible 8.4-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, a redesigned lower centre console with rotary knob for volume control and an Air Quality Sensor which “determines the external pollution levels and prevents polluted air and potentially toxic gases from entering the cabin”.

Maserati Australia, New Zealand and South Africa chief operating officer Glen Sealey said the updates to the Ghibli sedan will ensure it maintains fresh appeal for customers.

“The Ghibli has driven demand for Maserati to unprecedented levels since its launch so for 2017 we are enhancing the features that have driven its popularity,” he said.

“A new range of options packs refine its exclusivity, a power boost for the entry model will lift performance and new technology will augment its luxury, comfort and ease of use.”

Sales of the Ghibli have remained steady this year with Maserati finding 325 new homes for it in the first 11 months, just a single unit more than the same period last year.

By comparison, Mercedes is dominating the segment with 1147 sales of its E-Class, while the BMW 5 Series has clocked 514 sales and the Jaguar XF has recorded 383 sales over the same time period.

2017 Maserati Ghibli pricing*

Ghibli D (a)	$138,990
Ghibli (a)	$143,990
Ghibli S (a)	$179,990

*Excludes on-road costs