By Jeff Glucker
The specs, on paper, seem interesting. Especially considering the engine was assembled in a quaint stretch of Italy called Modena. It’s no V8 though, and it’s only half a V12. The car in question here is a 2019 Maserati Ghibli. More specifically, it’s the SQ4 GranSport version, so it’s packing a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. That mill is good for 424 horsepower, and it pairs quite will with the much loved ZF-built 8-speed automatic gearbox.
But is this thing actually any good? I’ll save the details for my upcoming review.
For now, I’m curious to hear your questions about this sleek machine that hides some switchgear and electric bits from Detroit.
It’s definitely a looker. But it should be based on those trident badges and the eye-watering price tag.I haven’t listed the exact as-tested price here because I want to see how that bit plays out in the comments and questions below. Are any of you curious about this car? And what do you want to know about it?
I’ve lived with it for nearly a week. There are parts I like. There are …a fair bit of things I do not. But this is your turn to sound off. And I’ll dive back in to answer questions later in the day.
It’s pretty closely related to the Alfa Giulia isn’t it? How different does it feel?
Strangely enough, I was curious about this on the weekend – Wikipedia attributes it as related to the Quattroporte, but no mention of the Giulia (For what that’s worth). That sort of checks out, because the Giulia is far more cramped than the Ghibli appears to be.
I don’t think it is. Maserati developed this platform for the Ghibli and Quattraporte way before the Giulia’s development.
The only Giulia I’ve driven is the Quadrifogorgigoonie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4txlLqcTsyQ
And that car is fantastic, even with its faults.
The Ghibli …is not as entertaining. The chassis is well sorted, but the car is fairly boring around town whereas the Giulia is always ready to rock. Maybe that is what some would prefer though.
Quadroformaggio?
Different platforms, different engines. I think the Ghibli is slated to move to the Giorgio platform, but hasn’t yet (to my knowledge). And contrary to what is stated above, I thought the Maser used the 3.0L V6.
Who buys it, and why did they pay so much for a chrysler 300? What does it do differently in this segment do demand it’s high pricetag?
People who think they’re car enthusiasts but actually don’t know shit about cars…
Aah yes, the same kind of person that puts fake AMG badges on their C250
My last comment felt a bit harsh. It’s definitely a cool looking car, but I just can’t see telling someone shopping in this space to spend money on this one.
Doesn’t owning a Maserati at least provide 1/4 car cred on principle alone?
Doesn’t owning a Maserati at least provide 1/4 car cred on principle alone?
If that’s true then why don’t I want one?
I wouldn’t (couldn’t) buy one, but the SQ4 that launched away from a stoplight in front of me yesterday sounded sweet as hell.
Doesn’t the Ghibli use the 3.0, not the 2.9 of the Giulia?
It uses a different 2.9. Maserati designed, based on a Pentastar block. Parts built in the US then shipped to Moden for assembly. The Giulia uses an actual Ferrari engine.
It uses a different 2.9. Maserati designed, based on a Pentastar block. Parts built in the US then shipped to Moden for assembly. The Giulia uses an actual Ferrari engine.
Right… the Maserati-designed, Pentastar-based, Ferrari-assembled F160 V6, which is 2979 cc in displacement. I’ve not heard it referred to as a “2.9”. The only 2.9 V6 in the FCA family, I thought, was the QF engine.
Hmm, fair point. I was talking to someone the other day and they called it the 2.9 so that stuck in my head.
It’s just a name. I wasn’t trying to be a smartassed pedant. We’re obviously talking about the same engine– I was just interested at first read, thinking the Ghibli had suddenly adopted the V6 of the Alfa, which made me think it may have switched to the Giorgio platform as well.
no smartassery detected.You’re right on the naming of the engines.
In the small pic preview I saw, I thought I was looking at the rear end of a Maxima.
The coupes with the V8 sound fantastic, apart from that I cannot think of a compelling reason to own a Maserati anything, unless I were rich, vindictive and about to lose the car in a divorce.
Speaking of sound, people buy these with a diesel!
Does it feel any less like a Chrysler than the earlier examples?
Yes, a little bit – The leather seats are nice, as is the material on the dash and doors. The carbon fiber is real. But the switchgear is clearly FCA.