Maserati Ghibli 2016 Review

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The Maserati Ghibli is nameplate that has been a part of the Italian marque’s line-up since 1967. Rivaling the Audi A6 (see prices, specs and features), BMW 5-Series (see prices, specs and features), and Jaguar XF (see prices, specs and features), the Ghibli is a four-door, four-seater that is vying for pole position in the E-segment realm. Practical and affordable, the Italian sedan’s sensibility isn’t one to be confused with humdrumness.

Exterior

Arguably the most striking model in the brand’s current line-up, the Maserati Ghibli follows a design doctrine that is aggressive yet understated. Finished in a gorgeous Rosso Folgore hue, or simply purple to people like you and I, it nails the luxuriousness and sportiness balance – an act most manufacturers seem to struggle with.

Sat on a set of stunning 19-inch wheels, the Ghibli benefits from taut headlamps that slice their way into its brawny fenders and a number of prominent contours that embellish its bodywork. Bound to make you run out of superlatives, the Ghibli is best described as a masterpiece, a true work of art.

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Interior

Having bid farewell to the hand built Maserati’s of the recent past, the Ghibli’s perfections see it flaunt swede on the headliner, an abundance of plush leather, and an embossed insignia on its headrests. With a wheelbase measuring in at 2,998 mm – the longest in comparison to its aforementioned rivals – the Ghibli offers ample amounts of head and legroom to both, front and rear seat occupants.

Breaking away from the norm, the Italian sedan alters the placement of certain key controls (push button ignition, wipers etc.) and while it’s a point of annoyance for some, we see it as a point of differentiation. While exceptionally built on the whole, the tacky rear cup holders are remarkably inferior to the rest of the cabin and dampen the overall experience.

Features & Safety

With a 5-star Euro NCAP crash rating, the Ghibli 2016 scores a whopping 95% in the Adult Occupant category – a figure that is negligibly higher than the Audi A6 at 91% and the Jaguar XF at 92%. Automatic headlamps, dual stage front airbags, side airbags, head airbags, and knee airbags, in addition to adaptive cruise control and a tire pressure monitoring system, all contribute to the rating.

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Drive

With a mellow rumble at low RPMs, the 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6 unit beneath the hood constantly reminds you of the 325 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque that reside just a dip of the accelerator pedal away. Mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, the Ghibli rewards perfect shifts with a sonorous roar from its quad exit tail pipes.

Activate Sports mode (which is the only mode we recommend driving in) and the ECU adopts an entirely new personality. With improved acceleration and an even louder exhaust note, it turns the excitement up to eleven. Complete with a rear limited slip differential and a set of phenomenal brakes, the Maserati Ghibli 2016 inspires confidence to drive a lot more enthusiastically than one traditionally would in an 1,810 kg sedan.

Verdict

The Maserati Ghibli possess something its rivals severely lack: personality. The rebellious nature of the Ghibli is evident right from the get-go and add to its extroverted attractiveness. While the exact charm is inexpressible in words, for AED 289,000 you simply cannot go wrong with this one. 

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