Skip to main content

Maserati pinning hopes on BMW-battling Ghibli model to increase annual sales

maserati quattroporte
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Word has come from Autocar this morning that Maserati is ready to unveil a new smaller Quattroporte-based sedan called the Ghibli. The amusingly named Italian four-door is said to be ready for launch at the Shanghai Auto Show later this year.

Looks like Maserati is making a big push for increased market share over the next few years. According to Autocar, the Fiat-owned luxury automaker wants to surpass 50,000 annual vehicle sales. To put that in perspective, Maserati only sold 6,200 units worldwide last year.

A nearly tenfold sales jump will require some pretty awesome cars. Maserati hope the Ghibli just might be the vehicle to help bolster sales.

The Ghibli is based upon the new Quattroporte steel chassis, which is based upon the Chrysler 300 chassic, which is based upon the Mercedes E-Class chassis from the early 90s. So it’s fair to say the Ghibli isn’t off to the best start. Thankfully, things get better from there.

The Ghibli will be 300 mm shorter than the new Quattroporte and on par with the BMW 5 series in overall size.

Under the hood, Maserati will offer three engines: a 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6, a 3.8-liter V8, and yet to be specified diesel engine. We wager it’ll probably be the Fiat-derived diesel found in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. The V6 will produce 385 horsepower and the V8 will pump out 480 horses. Both engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic, complete with paddle shifters.

No other stats are currently known about the Ghbili, codenamed the M157 by Maserati. But a cheaper, smaller version of the Quattroporte could do quite well, especially in places like Los Angeles where the 5 Series is a bit played out.

As soon as more is known or some pictures surface of the Ghibli, we’ll be sure to bring them to you.

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more
Audi Q6 e-tron ushers in the automaker’s next EV phase
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front three quarter view.

Audi doesn’t get enough credit for getting luxury car buyers comfortable with EVs. While Tesla took care of the image-conscious types, the German brand unveiled its e-tron electric SUV in 2018 with the tagline “electric has gone Audi” in hopes of getting loyal customers excited about (or, at least, acclimated to) electric cars by pitching the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.

The e-tron wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s since evolved into the Q8 e-tron and has been joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are only just introducing their first electric models, Audi is ready for round two.

Read more