Maserati Ghibli

It may not be blessed with latest dual-screen set-up stretching across the entire dash, a tricky flat-bottom steering wheel or flight-control-style console, but climb aboard the Maserati Ghibli Modena and it feels special.

Mind, all the good stuff we like in our Ghibli tester is optional. The black Pieno Fiore leather with contrast twin-stitching is some of the most sumptuous upholstery we’ve seen to date, and it’s everywhere – from the entire dashboard to the centre console box and door trims.

We especially like the vivid-red Trident embroidery on all four headrests – it’s simply exquisite and matches up well with twin-stitch in the same colour.

The trademark Maserati analogue clock houses in its own leather pod is another wonderful feature synonymous with the marque’s earliest GTs.

Same goes for the carbon-fibre. It’s a beautifully fine weave that’s richly lacquered in a way that makes the carbon material properly pop amongst the full-grain leather.

Designed by Marco Tencone who also penned the stunning Alfa Romeo 4C Concept and current Giulia, the reborn Ghibli was blessed with swoopy lines, classic side gills and that instantly recognisable grille with magnificent floating Trident badge, it still held an impressive on-road presence.

The Ghibli’s last refresh was in 2021, smack bang in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the new Modena trim-level was introduced (such a cool name), and the trident badge on the C-pillar made even better without the usual outer ring, and in gloss black instead of chrome.

The 2023 Maserati Ghibli offers a choice of three engines.

The GT Hybrid features a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. Peak power is 246kW and peak torque is 450Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds.

The Ghibli Modena produces 321kW of power and 580Nm of torque from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, and does the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.

The Trofeo uses a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre petrol V8 engine with 433kW of power and 730Nm of torque, and a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds.

All models use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds, while top speed is 257km/h.

The Ghibli S with the same base engine produces 316kW of power at 5750rpm and 580Nm of torque from 2250-4000rpm with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds with V-max at 286km/h.

The single rectangular infotainment screen and old-school twin binnacles shows the Ghibli’s age more than anything else, though it has to be said, the infotainment display is crystal clear with excellent colour reproduction and super-fast wireless CarPlay.

Moreover, it’s robust, with no blips or lost connections through the “Maserati Connect” program, while the easy-to-access shortcut buttons below provide a quick transition from CarPlay to your favourite radio station – AM, FM or DAB+.

Sound reproduction from the 900-watt Harman Kardon audio system is generally very good, especially on the higher notes, though I fear a less appreciative individual may have inadvertently cranked up the volume too high and damaged one of the speaker cones.

It has 500L of luggage space, and weighs 1950kg in GT Hybrid and Modena trims. In Trofeo trim, it tips the scales at 2020kg.