Excuse me? A brand new Maserati Ghibli from €79,950?
There exists a place somewhere in between utter unattainability and the not quite, well-nearly, almost attainable. The place where something’s in reach but big compromises need to be made to get it. It’s a place of torment. And if you’re a car enthusiast spotting your dream car, we’d be inclined to agree. This brings us to the 2017 Maserati Ghibli. It’s now available at a starting price of €79,950.
Excuse me? Indeed, a brand new Maserati for the price of a BMW 5-Series diesel.
Some time ago we drove the Maserati GranTurismo and we just loved it. Sure, it was a pre-owned car. And, agreed, it is an old design with just two doors. But heavens almighty, it makes you feel like a million dollars. Is there a better sounding V8 engine? No, we’d argue there simply isn’t. It’s gobsmackingly fantastic.
This got us thinking. We’d actually like to purchase our very own Maserati. Ideally, a brand spanking new one while we’re at it. We hatched a plan and lowered our sights a bit from the six-figure, GranTurismo and Quattroporte cars towards the Maserati Ghibli. It’s a car we adore. Spec a Ghibli in black and it looks as well-proportioned as the much larger Quattroporte saloon and way more separate than the 5 -Series or E-Class middle-manager contingent.
But it’s a Maserati, we thought, and it’s going to cost an arm and leg, right? Out of the blue Charles Hurst Maserati in Belfast dropped an almighty clanger into our lives. The Ghibli is now available from €79,950. At that price, why not?
Here’s why we think you should certainly consider it. Firstly, we’d recommend, with a sensible hat, you opt for the Diesel. Yes, it sounds like sacrilege but the argument has some merit. This is a diesel like few others. By using some exhaust valve trickery we don’t really understand it somehow mimics a slightly tuned petrol car. Quite how Maserati managed that one is anyone’s guess but it’s brilliant. The performance figures eschew the typical diesel drudgery as well. 0-62mph takes 6.3 seconds, top speed is 155mph and combined you’ll actually get close enough to the claimed 47.9 mpg (something we all know other car manufacturers struggle to do). CO2 emissions are 158g/km attracting a palatable motor tax of €570 per year.
Can’t abide a diesel? There’s also the petrol engine V6 S – developed and made by Ferrari – to choose from. It opens a whole world of dramatic engine sounds, crackling exhausts and a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds dead. Top speed is 177mph. This is where the Ghibli shines with an exotic growling rasp from the quad exhaust pipes. It’s a Maserati Quattroporte with a soundtrack so wonderful that the combined 29.4mpg is the price you’ll pay for having such fun.
Now, there are downsides to the Ghibli. We’ll admit the rear legroom is only average and bettered by the competition. The ride is more brittle than say a Mercedes E-Class. But it is a Maserati – a real performance star. One drive in a Ghibli Diesel will have you recalling why you liked cars so much in the first place. Put yourself in the petrol engine V6 S and every trip to work will become an adventure.
Lastly, the Maserati image. Lamborghini is other-worldly. Ferrari is pure focused performance. And Porsche? Well, it’s excellent but too ubiquitous for anyone to take much notice anymore. That leaves Maserati. It’s a fair argument to say the Maserati name is quietly cooler than the lot of them. For the architect, surgeon or senior advertising copywriter this is the car in which to look achingly cool.
Saying you own a new Maserati has the sort kudos that only the best luxury items ever capture. At €79,950 it’s the most affordable Italian high-performance saloon available on sale in Ireland today.
https://www.charleshurstgroup.co.uk/maserati/