New Ghibli to debut in Shangahi - allpar.com, 09.04.2013
Maserati is introducing its all-new Ghibli 4-door sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month and released the first official pictures of the car today.
The newest car to be named for the hot, dusty North African wind, the Ghibli is the latest iteration of the original Ghia/Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled two-seat grand touring sports car introduced in 1967 (a convertible was unveiled in 1969). The first-generation Ghibli was so popular, it outsold the Ferrari Daytona and Lamborghini Miura with a total of 1,275 cars produced from 1967-1973, when the Ghibli was replaced by the Khamsin.
The third-generation Ghibli is an in-house design created under the leadership of Fiat/Chrysler styling boss Lorenzo Ramaciotti. It shares a number of design cues with the larger Quattroporte that took its first bows at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Maserati says the car is intended to appeal to a wider audience looking for a sporty sedan. With a rumored price tag of about $70,000, the Ghibli will also appeal to a broader base of, hopefully, younger buyers. Fiat has targeted the Ghibli to buyers of Audi’s A6/S6, BMW’s 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Ghibli is an important part of Maserati’s strategy to reach annual sales of at least 50,000 cars.
Contrary to previous rumors, the Ghibli won’t be offered with a V8. Engine choices are two turbocharged V6s making up to 400 horsepower and a VM Motori V6 diesel, the first diesel ever offered in a Maserati vehicle. The engines will be coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard and Maserati’s new “Q4" AWD system is optional.
The Ghibli rides on the new Fiat/Chrysler RWD platform that will also be the basis for the next-generation Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.
No official announcements of price or availability have been released, but insiders say deliveries could begin in the second half of this year.
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