Sadly for Fiat Chryler’s Italian luxury brand, the buzz last week surrounded the newly unveiled Ford Bronco, not the upcoming Ghibli Hybrid.
A model and brand TTAC’s readership can’t get enough of, the Maserati Ghibli appears for 2021 with an optional 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain that mates a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with electric “e-Booster” supercharger to an eight-speed automatic. It’s the automaker’s first electrified vehicle.
Arriving ahead of the brand’s mid-engine supercar and a brace of all-electric luxury tourers, the Ghibli Hybrid will be far more obtainable than those hyped-up vehicles. It will also be distinguishable from stock Ghiblis, thanks to the manufacturer opting to deck out certain exterior pieces in light blue.
Blue means electricity in the auto world, you see. On the Ghibli Hybrid, it appears on “the three iconic side air ducts, the brake calipers and the thunderbolt in the oval that encloses the Trident on the rear pillar,” Maserati said, adding that the shade appears as well via embroidered seat seams.
Other exterior alterations include revamped tail lights and a slightly slimmer grille.
The company didn’t detail expected fuel savings, though mild hybrids are always good for a very modest bump. In the Maserati stable, the new hybrid is designed to replace the diesel model in the brand’s overseas lineup. European regulators are so, so strict. Meaning, of course, that this Ghibli variant won’t be coming to North America, so you’ll have to go back to reading about that Bronco.
If you’re curious, this Ghibli’s output is 330 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, routed to the rear wheels only. The multimedia screen grows to 10 inches.
Whether or not your interest in the Maserati brand has grown remains debatable.
[Images: Maserati]
“Blue means electricity in the auto world, you see.”
Which is why I have painted the following parts of my daily driver blue:
– HVAC blower motor
– Seat motors (and controls)
– EVAP solenoids
– Spark plugs, wires, coils (tip: let the paint cure before trying to start the vehicle)
– Fuel pump
– Wiper motor
– All the speakers
– Power windows, door locks
– The “12V” battery
– There’s more, but you get the point
It is amazingly awesome how OEM’s focus on things of such substance, instead of meaningless superfluous fluff. /S
[Anyway, I (or someone) got it backwards, since Maserati did blue highlights on vehicle parts that don’t have wires connected…]
Are the headlights, turn signals and tail lights also painted blue?
The “deafening buzz” is probably just something short circuiting on the Maserati. No worries.
They are rising to the challenge of making an engine that requires more maintenance than a Ferrari. The nice blue leds will cast a nice glow on the repair bay.
No worries after a couple years the car would have depreciated about 90%.
I want to buy a regular Ghibli and then add the blue parts.
/ heads assplode
That “deafening buzz” is the sound of a large field of……crickets.
LOL! Crickets can be deafening. I experienced it in Antalia.
Will the revamped tail lights be blue as well? They are electric, aren’t they?
I have a ghibili sq4 and actually really love it. The brand doesn’t get much focus but the car is extremely fun to drive and one of the best looking 4 doors in my eyes. And not reliability issues as of yet, it’s been solid.
This hybrid is a pretty big letdown, glad it’s not come state side as I think it would only hurt the brand here. Maybe the next Gen ghibili will get it more right.
“A model and brand TTAC’s readership can’t get enough of,”
Yeah, I need 5: One to drive, another one as a backup when first one breaks and three more for spare parts.
with only a 4 cylinder engine I think that the MPG will be around 30 overall. Not horrible but not great.
But it won’t sound right.
FCA continues to throw money into the Alfa Maserati pit. The Ghibli is almost due for a replacement now, so adding a hybrid rear-drive only trim isn’t going to excite many.