Could the new Maserati Ghibli Hybrid be what electric dreams are made of?

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Could the new Maserati Ghibli Hybrid be what electric dreams are made of?

Said to be faster than diesel and greener than gasoline, the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid saves fuel and reduces emissions without compromising on ability and performance. We took information technology out for a spin to approximate for ourselves.

06 May 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 08:14PM)

The name Ghibli, in Arabic, refers to the hot airstream blowing in from the Sahara desert. So it is rather fitting that the new Maserati Ghibli Hybrid arrives equally a powerful current of air of change signalling a new era for the Italian automobile manufacturer.

In the Maserati universe, the very first Ghibli was introduced in 1967 in the form of the AM115, a two-door ii+two V8-engined 1000 tourer.

Now, five-and-a-half decades and several incarnations afterward, the Ghibli Hybrid opens a new chapter for the make, every bit its first-ever model equipped with a hybrid engine.

Maserati is coming in a little tardily to the electric game but, as they say, better tardily than never.

Well, given the prevailing climate change miracle and more stringent emissions requirements, automakers have little choice but to accelerate their electrification plans or run a risk irrelevance.

And Maserati has decided to enter the electrical fray with a balmy hybrid (MHEV) rather than a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Significant, the motorcar combines a 4-cylinder, ii-litre engine with a 48-volt hybrid system (comprised of a chugalug starter generator, a battery, an eBooster and a DC/DC converter) that enables energy to be recovered when slowing and braking – instead of an external charging system as with a PHEV. This effectively saves weight, equally the latter would require a larger battery pack.

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Built entirely at the Turin Production Hub in Italy, the new Ghibli Hybrid thus offers an electric boost when you lot need additional torque; said to be faster than its diesel fuel variant, with performance in line with the 350hp Ghibli petrol version.

The car combines a 4-cylinder, 2-litre engine with a 48-volt hybrid organization. (Photo: Maserati)

So with the new electrified powertrain and hybrid propulsion, you now have a auto that consumes 20 per cent less fuel while cleverly reducing emissions past upward to 25 per cent, making the Ghibli Hybrid even more than efficient than those equipped with diesel fuel V6 engines – while delivering the smoothen response of a vi-cylinder engine.

All that works out to 330hp of power and 450Nm of torque, powering the Ghibli Hybrid to consummate the century nuance in a respectable v.7 seconds.

Acceleration is brisk for this fairly heavy (almost two-tonne) model built around a modified version of the chassis and bodywork of the Ghibli V6. There'southward better weight distribution with the engine front end-mounted and the bombardment placed in the rear – all designed to make it a more active and fun drive. And agile information technology certainly is.

The Ghibli Hybrid blows through the streets similar a powerful gale; you lot scarcely feel its heft. The ride is dynamic and firm, with torso control mostly skillful, salve for that one time in an hush-hush carpark that got us a petty shook.

Mitigating factors well noted, though, was the fact that it had been raining heavily that day and, paired with the smooth resin-coated floor of the carpark, the body gyre was greater than nosotros would hope for for a vehicle of this class.

The good news is that the one-off experience did non recur during our two total days with the Ghibli Hybrid, as the rear-bike drive demonstrated solid grip dynamics on cobblestone during regular route driving.

To this end, the car integrates the Maserati Stability Programme, comprised of a arrangement of sensors for early detection and intervention. For example, when skidding is detected, the organization reduces the engine's torque output and may activate the brakes, with engine brake torque control initiated when downshifting on low-grip surfaces.

The Ghibli Hybrid blows through the streets like a powerful gale. (Photo: Maserati)

Also worth noting is the Ghibli Hybrid'south viii-speed ZF automatic transmission, which is also used on Maserati's Quattroporte and Levant models, ensuring ultra smooth shifts and sharp handling.

Meanwhile, the double-wishbone suspension on the Ghibli Hybrid continues the brand'southward race-bred tradition, with the option of a Skyhook suspension system where all four dampers tin be electronically controlled independently of each other.

The latter, which comes as standard on the GranSport trim, becomes sportier with extra damping stiffness and further minimises torso whorl when the driver presses the interruption push.

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Information technology'S WHAT'S Inside THAT COUNTS

Equally one would expect of a Maserati, the Ghibli Hybrid'south interior cabin is every bit luxurious as it gets; lavished in plush leather and elegant wood trimming for a superb level of craftsmanship, to say the least.

Besides the GranSport trim, which comes with a wood-finished leather sport steering wheel fitted with aluminium gearshift paddles and Inox sport pedals matched with a wood trim dashboard finished in loftier-gloss Blackness Piano, there'south a more exclusive GranLusso trim wrapped in a luxurious Ermenegildo Zegna interior.

On the latter, fine grain natural Pieno Fiore leather in Nero (black), Rosso (red) or Cuoio (tan) meets 100 per cent natural fibre mulberry silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture.

The silk, ever in anthracite color, can also be combined with three different shades of fine leather in black, red or tan. Both trims feature 12-way power sport leather forepart seats while the commuter's seat on the standard model comes with 6-manner electric aligning.

You'll find the new-generation MIA (Maserati Intelligent Assistant) multimedia system like shooting fish in a barrel to use while appreciating the greater personalisation options, showcased in a MTC (Maserati Impact Command) Plus infotainment organisation that has grown from viii.4 inches to x.i inches, now more than elegantly couched in a frameless design.

The car's infotainment arrangement is elegantly couched in a frameless design. (Photo: Maserati)

There's wireless smartphone charging via a popular-out tray located below the touchscreen and controls, while an eight-speaker Harman Kardon Sound Organization comes every bit standard on the baseline model. You can also opt for the 10-speaker Harman Kardon Premium Sound Organization or 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Premium Environment Sound System with QuantumLogic Surround for those who want the finest hi-fi equipment for visitor on their drives.

Supported by forward and rear-view cameras, the suite of driving and safety aid certainly come in handy, from Adaptive Prowl Control with Stop & Get part and Active Blind Spot to Lane Keeping Assist and Advanced Restriction Assist. Traffic Sign Recognition, which provides real-fourth dimension information on current speed limits on the instrument panel, is optional.

And in that location's however some other bully feature: An Air Quality Sensor that utilises an intelligent sensor and indicate analysis system to calculate external pollution levels and prevent polluted air and toxic gases from entering the motel.

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Sweetness (ELECTRIC) DREAMS ARE Fabricated OF THIS

Now let's talk exterior styling. The Ghibli Hybrid volition appeal to those keen on its coupe-like silhouette and sectional profile, characterised past a more than elegant front grille.

Whichever shade you cull for the bodywork, it is certain to be sublime in its elegance. Though if you ask us, 1 need not expect further than the bespoke Grigio Evoluzione shade of cool grey with blue overtones.

The Ghibli Hybrid will appeal to those keen on its coupe-like silhouette and exclusive profile, characterised by a more elegant front grille. (Photograph: Maserati)

Signalling the electric vibes of the Ghibli Hybrid, bluish accents abound on the various Maserati leitmotifs, from the blue-hued iconic triple side air vents on the front mudguard to the blue lightning bolt hit through the Saetta logo on the rear pillar and bluish Brembo brake callipers – all perfectly complementing the blue interior stitching.

The assisted door closure, performance much like your soft-closing kitchen cabinet doors, offers yet another level of luxury with a side of peace of mind.

You'll also be happy to know that you get a generous 500 litres of boot space, despite the auto carrying a battery pack, and you can activate the motorised latch simply by moving your foot under the rear bumper – useful for when your hands are full with kids or shopping bags.

And while you lot're hanging out at the rear, yous'll be even happier to know that – despite information technology being an EV – the manufacturer has managed to keep the primeval rumble of the distinctive growl signature of every Maserati on the Ghibli Hybrid. This was done by tweaking the fluid dynamics of the frazzle, without being artificially enhanced by amplifiers or resonators.

As they say, luxury is e'er in the details, and this was certainly music to our ears equally we collection away in this powerful, premium sophisticated sedan.

MASERATI GHIBLI HYBRID SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE: 4-cylinder, two-litre petrol engine with a 48-volt Hybrid system

POWER: 330hp at v,750rpm

TORQUE: 450Nm at 4,000rpm

Manual: Eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox with paddle shift

0-100 KM/H: 5.vii seconds

TOP SPEED: 255km/h

FUEL CONSUMPTION:7 litres/100km

Toll: South$338,800 (without COE)

Could the new Maserati Ghibli Hybrid be what electric dreams are made of?

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