When you think of the brand ‘Maserati’ you tend to think of striking, low-slung sports cars that cost an arm and a leg. Traditionally, you’d have been correct, but not anymore. In recent years Maserati has added two new models to their lineup making the famous Maserati brand more accessible than ever. While they still produce their Quattroporte, Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio models, there’s now an entry-level saloon on the menu as well as their first ever SUV.
Maserati Ghibli
The Ghibli is the new executive saloon from Maserati and it is priced from a respectable £58,220. That seems expensive for a car that's meant to appeal to a wider market, but it’s only meant to appeal to the top-end of the wider market if that makes sense. This is for people who are looking at BMW M3s, not BMW 320Ds. The entry-level model comes loaded with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that puts out a hefty 345 horsepower… twice the power of an entry-level Mercedes C-Class or Audi A4. There is then an even more powerful petrol model (featuring a second turbo) which pushes out a massive 404 horsepower - just short of the BMW M3. In between those two models lies a more agreeable 3.0-litre diesel V6 model which offers a slightly more sensible 275 horsepower. So the Ghibli is potent in pretty much all of its guises.
Inside, the Ghibli is kitted out with a futuristic and suitably fashionable interior which is loaded with fine Italian leather and a modern 8.5-inch touchscreen. The Ghibli has a few other nice touches, like the armchair front seats which are incredibly comfortable and feel somewhat regal, and the frameless doors are a smart feature too.
The diesel Ghibli will mostly appeal to senior business executives and it should be good to return up to 58 mpg on a motorway run, which isn’t bad for a big 3.0 litre V6 lump. The petrol models, on the other hand, are more targeted towards the blossoming Asian market, however, there’s no doubt they still hold a massive appeal on our continent too.
Maserati Levante
15 years ago people would buy big gas-guzzling SUVs to stand out from the crowd. They were a nightmare to drive and expensive to own back then but they turned heads on the high street and were particularly desirable. Nowadays, everyone seems to own an SUV of some description, so SUV owners don’t really stand out - in fact, they fit in. SUV buyers need to think outside the box and buy something particularly unique if they want to be noticed. Happily, the new Maserati Levante does just that.
Who would have thought a premium sports car manufacturer would turn their hand to SUV building and come up with something as gloriously beautiful as this? The Levante went on sale 3 years ago but has been tweaked and improved to compete with the new Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport. It is still based on the platform of the Quattroporte but has new trims, bumpers and a new engine. There are now 2 petrol engines and 1 diesel engine, just like in the Ghibli. Don't expect any sluggish 2.0-litre units though, all the engines are 3.0 litres in size and come with 275 horsepower (Levante D Diesel), 350 horsepower and 430 horsepower (Levante S).
The Levante is actually reasonably priced, particularly for a Maserati, and even though it might not sound like much, you’ll still get 25.9 mpg out of the fastest Levante S GranSport Nerissimo Edition and a solid 43 mpg out of the powerful diesel model.
The Levante is on sale now and prices start from £64,635
