Maserati Ghibli Hybrid driven, coming to Australia early 2021

Maserati’s petrol-electric Ghibli Hybrid will go on sale in Australia early in 2021. The big sedan is the first electrified model ever from the long-lived Italian luxury brand, but it won’t be the last. Maserati’s recently announced plan to renew and expand its range includes hybrid and EV versions of every model.    

The price of the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid is not yet decided. But the Australian importer, Ateco Group, confirms it will be the least costly model in the line-up. Currently the Ghibli range begins at $140,000 for the basic petrol-burning 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 version, before on-road costs are added. Expect the Ghibli Hybrid to cost $10,000 or so less than this.

The Hybrid effectively replaces the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel-powered Ghibli which quietly disappeared from the line-up last year. Globally, Maserati is gradually phasing out diesels in all its models.

Under the Ghibli Hybrid’s bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It’s a specially adapted version of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Global Medium Engine. Maserati is owned by FCA.

The GME is used by other FCA brands, including Alfa Romeo. Though the Hybrid’s engine is assembled in Italy alongside other variants, it has a redesigned cylinder block sourced from a specialist metal casting company in the UK.

According to a Maserati engineer, engine block changes for the Hybrid were needed to cope with the extra stresses that come with its high power output. With 243kW, the Hybrid drivetrain delivers almost as much power as the Ghibli’s base-level 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.

The Hybrid engine’s power is pumped up at low revs by an electric turbo compressor – Maserati call it an eBooster – and at high revs by a conventional turbocharger. The eBooster draws power from the 48-volt battery pack in the Hybrid’s boot.

The other key component of the system is a belt-driven starter-generator unit bolted to the engine block. This BSG can recover energy during deceleration and braking, as well as add a little kick to the total system power output.

Maserati says performance was the main aim during development of the petrol-electric Ghibli. But emissions weren’t forgotten; Maserati says that according to the WLTP test standard, the Hybrid’s CO₂ figures are “virtually the same as the diesel”.

The Ghibli is a plain vanilla hybrid that cannot drive solely on electric power. The maximum power its BSG can deliver is a paltry 10kW.

Yet its two most obvious rivals are PHEVs with powerful electric motors and reasonable electric-only driving ranges. The BMW 530e and Mercedes-Benz E300e are both priced around $120,000, so they’re also competitors on the basis of price.

Still, the Maserati is perhaps a more engaging and entertaining drive than the German alternatives. With the eBooster doing its puffing stuff, the Ghibli Hybrid is smooth, strong and surprisingly responsive at low revs. Then the big exhaust-driven turbo takes over to deliver a strong rush from middling revs to the redline. There’s a pleasantly raspy growl from the exhaust at high revs, too.

The Hybrid’s handling is also involving, especially its direct and accurate steering. It’s good fun to hustle along on a winding road. The sporty suspension is well judged; firm enough to enhance agility, not so hard that it’s uncomfortable.