New Ghibli expected to spur Maserati sales

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s not the next step; it’s a next leap forward,” said Jason Soong, Autostrada Motore executive director, in an interview with the STAR. Soong was describing the new Maserati Ghibli—recently unveiled at the 23rd Trans Sport Show in SMX Convention Center.

The 3rd-generation Ghibli, continued Soong, is a midsize luxury sedan whose release coincides with Maserati’s 100th anniversary. “It marks a turning point,” he said. Aside from the fact that it is “the first time in 100 years that the luxury Italian brand presents two four-door sedan models simultaneously,” the Ghibli officially affords Maserati a foray into a lower price point.

The less rarefied air thus should make the Ghibli the first truly attainable Maserati, making the carmaker confident enough to project consolidated sales of 50,000 units a year. Maserati announced it will manufacture the Ghibli in “new state-of-the-art production facilities in Grugliasco.”

Autostrada reported in a release that the gas-powered Ghibli and Ghibli S “feature a new-generation twin turbo-charged 3.0-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.” A power rating of 410 hp and torque of 550 Nm hurls the Ghibli S to 100 kph in five ticks and towards a top speed of 285 kph. The Ghibli, armed with 330 hp and 500 Nm, reaches a top figure of 263 kph, and attains 100 kph in 5.6 seconds.

While a four-door, the supple execution of the Ghibli’s body suggests a coupé inclination, marked with “feline hints around the grille and headlights.” Maserati designed the grille to summon the spirit of the iconic A6 GCS of the 1950s. “The shape of the headlights converges onto the Trident symbol, with every angle designed to attract the eye to Maserati’s legendary marque,” said an Autostrada release.

Despite sharing core architecture and power plants with the more premium Quattroporte limousine, the Ghibli is shorter and lighter—attaining 50:50 weight distribution. Notably, the vehicle achieves a five-star rating on the Euro NCAP crash test.

The Ghibli marks another first for the Maserati stable—a first-ever diesel engine for the luxury brand. Soong said he expects this to draw not a few customers. “In the Philippines, everyone is conscious about fuel consumption,” he said. The Ghibli V6, 3.0-liter diesel can muster about 17 kilometers per liter, according to Maserati figures.

Soong admitted to the STAR that he firmly believes Filipinos will gravitate to the Ghibli given its unique value propositions in the segment. “I’ve done all the test drives with the competing cars, and it just blows all the competition out of the water,” he declared.

“First of all, its engine is made by Ferrari in Maranello,” Soong said, “even as the design is still distinctly a Maserati.”

The price, he underscored, is very competitive, and described the Ghibli as a “very emotional car (that’s) not as mechanical as all the other cars.” He averred: “The sound is there, the feel, the leather… even the driver’s interface is totally new. The GPS works here, too.”

Jason Soong stressed: “It’s just the obvious choice.”

He also revealed that the turnover rate in test drives is high. “Around eight of 10 who test-drive the Ghibli eventually get it,” Soong revealed. “We’ve gotten reservations; arriving cars have already been pre-sold.”

When asked if the Ghibli’s arrival to the Philippine market will make other Euro automakers sweat, Soong replied with a smile: “They’re sweating already.”