DRIVEN: 2016 Maserati Ghibli Diesel Review
This is the first drive review of the Maserati Ghibli Diesel by Motor Verso.
What’s the Maserati Ghibli all About?
Cars from Maserati have always been known for their luxurious quality and impressive performance on the tarmac. The Ghibli is Maserati’s entry level executive car. The car comes with 3 engine choices, 2x 3.0 litre V6 petrol engines or a turbocharged 3.0 litre diesel engine with 275 bhp. A Maserati with a diesel engine, how is that going to work? Let’s find out, but for sure it it has helped them broaden their brand appeal.
We put to the test the Maserati Ghibli Diesel that uses a 3.0 litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine that puts out 275 bhp and 600 Nm of torque. It has an 8-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels where all this power runs through, and this means that it will get from 0 to 60 mph with a top speed of 155 mph in 6.3 seconds.
How Does it Drive?
From the moment you set your eyes on the Ghibli, your eyes will not deceive you as the car is a place of luxury and it is gorgeous inside and out. Most people are a bit sceptical about the use of a diesel engine from a high-performance car manufacturer such as Maserati. However, all this doubt is taken away from the moment you press the start button and hear the 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine turn on, and then you will realise that this isn’t a standard diesel engine which might be used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The exhaust note will make you know that the engine is highly modified as it has the best diesel engine exhaust sound that I have ever heard before.
While driving the car, it has quite an ordinary diesel saloon feel which isn’t a bad thing. The car feels comfortable; you feel that you are in control, and both its size and driver visibility isn’t an issue. You will notice that you are in a Maserati when you start exploring the capabilities of the diesel engine. The peak torque of this car is 600 Nms which for a car that can achieve around 47 mpg is seen to be a ridiculous amount of torque. The peak torque is available very low down the rev range, which means that it is quickly delivered to the rear wheels when you ask for power. The instant response element is what makes the Ghibli feel like a faster car than it is on paper; nevertheless, it is a fast car and my god, it took me by surprise when I first took it for a test.
Just as you would expect from any car with a Maserati badge on the front, the rest of the controls respond well. The steering felt correctly weighted, and it gave you a good understanding of how much grip was left on the car. The brakes were very sturdy and had a good balance of both strong variable control and stopping power which made the car easy to enjoy for the less experienced drivers.
I have never heard a diesel engine that sounds good as this one as it doesn’t even sound like a diesel engine at all. The exhaust sound is fantastic through the whole rev range, and this only shows that a lot of engineering was done in creating it. The lower rev limiter is the only way that you can tell that it is a diesel engine.
What’s it Like Inside?
The car has been carefully designed by using the finest leathers, faultless aluminium with graceful touches of high-quality plastic and wood.
The Ghibli on test had an interior that is all black with an array of buttons and technology carefully surrounding it. As you look around, you can see detailed aspects of the car including carefully stitched leather.
The Experience
The Maserati Ghibli Diesel certainly surprised me because it uses an alternative fuel other than petrol and this made my expectation for the Ghibli capped. For Maserati to bring in the diesel elements and especially to the Ghibli model, they created a remarkable car. It is now possible to get a high MPG achieving, high performance, good looking Italian car. Also it sounds as good as the petrol engine. I don’t there is any other high-performance diesel car that has impressed me like this one has.
Verdict
With the remarkable interior, quality design and build and high-performance figures, the Maserati Ghibli Diesel appears to have it all. What you pay for them is also of excellent value. Maserati certainly knew what they were doing when they used the 3.0 litre diesel engine with the Ghibli.
Video Highlights
Specification
- Price: £59,800
- Engine: 3.0-Litre Turbocharged Diesel
- Power: 275bhp
- Torque: 600Nm
- Transmission: 8 Speed Automatic
- 0-62mph: 6.3 Seconds
- Top speed: 155mph
- Weight: 1,835kg
- Economy combined: 47 mpg
Author: Paul Hadley
