Ghibli SPIED: 2014 Maserati Ghibli prototype

[Mark]

Early Ghibli development cars, wearing modified Quattroporte bodies, have been spotted several times in the past few months, but today, the first real prototype for the new, smaller Maser has been spied!

Maserati engineers have actually camouflaged this prototype to appear as one of the old Quattroporte test cars we saw early in 2012. However, a quick comparison reveals this Ghibli test car is not nearly as long as the Quattroporte test cars, with the most noticeable length difference in the rear doors.

Much like the Quattroporte test cars from last year, this Ghibli test car also has fake camouflage panels on the rear half of the roofline.

The Ghibli, codenamed "M157," will be the start of a significant brand expansion for Maserati, and will aim to compete with the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class.

Underneath the sheet metal, the Ghibli might be more Chrysler than Maserati. Sources indicate the Ghibli said to be utilizing a version of the Chrysler 300 chassis.

Additionally, the base motor is rumored to be a turbocharged version of Chrysler's 3.5L Pentastar V6, good for 375-400hp. That said, we feel pretty confident a Ferrari-sourced V8 will also be offered. Both engines should be mated to an 8-speed, ZF transmission.

View the Post on the Blog

 

[Mark]

Here are all the high resolution images including the comparison spy shots between the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte prototype and the 2014 Maserati Ghibli prototype.

 

[Pedro Alexandre]

Leaked?

Source: http://www.cochespias.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&p=443152&sid=95998db1193ec3ede18f1299d853e163#p443152

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I'd say so.

 

[Levi68]

Probably. It almost looks better than the Quattroporte. If it gets the same 530 PS engine, then this definitely is an M5/M6 GranCoupé beater. I guess it would also be lighter and more sporty. I see the same 21" rims as on the QP. Wonder what the interior will be like. One think that really bothers me are the side-view mirrors. Does it cost that much to design Maserati specific mirrors instead of slapping on the ones of the 300Thema?

The Ghibli will be revealed (as Concept?) at Shanghai this year.



Edit: It might be a PS.

 

[Merc1]

I think it does look better if thats it, but (for me) that Chrysler question pops up again.

M

 

[LaArtist]

I would hit it

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Vastly more appealing than the recently introduced Quattroporte.

 

[Giannis]

In what way would a Ghibli be different than the Quattroporte?

 

[Levi68]

In what way would a Ghibli be different than the Quattroporte?

Ghibli would be based on a shorter Quattroporte. Differencies are to be:

-lighter
-more sport than comfort
-less rear space
-smaller trunk
-lower price
-probably detuned engines.

 

[Will]

Is this supposed to be a 5 series/E competitor?

 

[Levi68]

Is this supposed to be a 5 series/E competitor?

Yes, that is the segment it is going to be in. It will even have a Diesel V6.

 

[Sayyaaf]

I have saved those photos. I reall hope it turns out like that. I am really really liking those leaked fotos for some reason. Very attractive.

 

[Levi68]

I also save such photos. I have a bunch of "top secret" photos that were never on the web. Unfortunately my hard-drive got flashed when my laptop accidently fell from the desk. I'm yet keeping that hard-drive to recover all the preicious data I have on it. But I'll have to wait until I can affoard the recovery. I was told about € 2K minimum.

But I agree, this Ghibli, while not really much different from the Quattroporte, it just has something I like. I can't put the finger on it, but I looks like my segment favorite. Well, Auto Salon Shanghai will tell us.

 

[Pedro Alexandre]

 

[Pedro Alexandre]

 

[Merc1]

OMG it's a smaller Chrysler. I'm going to be sick. Funeral services for Maserati pending.

M

 

[ZicZachZo]

Well, wait, if it is based on the Chrysler 300 chassis it is actually rolling on a modified w210 chassis. So, it's actually a Mercedes? Oy.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah its mish-mash of all those. Chrysler took bits and pieces from the E and worked over the rest and Maser will now do the same with the Chrysler version. I doubt at this point we would recognize it as a Benz chassis if you flipped the car over, but I think I could live with that (because that is the future I guess, sharing everything), but the money they saved on the chassis should have been put into making the interior unrecognizable from anything Chrysler IMO. They seemingly got the chassis right with the Quattrporte, but in no way does that warmed over Chrysler interior here or in the Q warrant the prices they're going to be charging. Its foolish, but with such drastic change I'm sure Maser will sell every car they can build once all these new Chrysler based models hit the showroom floor. Oh yes there is more, the SUV which will again be a looker, but based on the ML/Jeep GC platform. Sigh...... I better get that Granturismo Cabriolet soon.

M

 

[Pedro Alexandre]