Maserati: Power trio and hybrid for 2021 🎥

The Ghibli with electric booster and 48V belt starter generator produces a whopping 330 hp.

You'll probably wait in vain for a Maserati that can run on zero-emission gas from a power socket. A plug-in hybrid does not suit Maserati, according to internal sources.

330 hp and 48V belt starter generator
What suits the traditional company very well, however, is the enormous power of the Ghibli's four-cylinder engine, which is only 1998 cubic centimeters in size, together with an electric booster and 48V belt starter generator. The result is 330 hp.

However, unlike the cheaper diesel, which has been retired, the maximum torque is only available comparatively late. Despite the mono-turbo, the manufacturer says that 4000 revolutions are necessary to mobilize the achievable 450 Newton meters.

The test drives in Emilia Romagna in northern Italy, where there is no shortage of pothole-packed and winding mountain roads, left nothing to be desired in terms of the fun factor.

Noticeably more consumption in Sport mode
The pleasure tax is paid at the gas station. Because when the Sport mode is activated, which results in a higher engine speed and more spontaneous throttle response, the thirst of the three-pointed four-door is noticeably increased. Maserati has written between 8.1 and 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers in the data sheet. As basic information, so to speak.

It would have been good for the manufacturer to place an "Eco" button next to the "Sport" button. This might have given the hybrid more credibility as the brand's environmental conscience.

Trofeo line is complete with three models
While the mild hybrids provide a green touch and are primarily intended to reduce fleet consumption, Maserati is also expanding its range at the other end of the dynamic spectrum.

The Trofeo line, which describes the most powerful models in each series, is now complete. Following the Levante SUV, the Gibli and Quattroporte sedans are now also available with the 580-hp V8 turbocharged engine, the original form of which goes back to a Ferrari development.

With 3.8 liters, it has a manageable volume for an eight-cylinder, but delivers a maximum of 730 Newton meters of torque. None of the three performance athletes stops propulsion this side of 300 km/h in open and off-road conditions.

Technical competence for the competition
Due to high development costs and low volumes, such cars are not always a big seller for manufacturers. However, they can be used to demonstrate technical competence and at least signal equality with the competition.

After all, Porsche and Bentley also have sedans and SUVs in their lineup that run at 300 km/h and more.

In view of the identical performance data of the Trofeo editions of the Quattroporte, Levante and Ghibli (in the gallery from left to right), it is best to go into the safe environment of a circuit to learn to feel the differences in the character of the cars.

The Levante SUV sets standards in the range
As the first of the trio, the Levante has set a benchmark that comes from its all-wheel drive in terms of driving dynamics. Thanks to the front axle, it pulls out of the bend almost frugally when you try to shake the rear with a heavy throttle blast.

However, its high center of gravity, about 90 millimeters more than on the Quattroporte, makes it difficult not to notice the lateral tilt that inevitably sets in during fast cornering.

With an unladen weight of almost 2200 kilograms, it is also the most corpulent of the only apparently identical brothers.

Excellent balance in the Quattroporte
The rear-wheel drive Quattroporte surprises with two characteristics: an excellent balance, which allows the sedan, which also weighs a good two tons, to remain controllable with a casual hand, on the one hand, and amazing maneuverability on the other.

After all, the luxury sled is more than five meters long and has a wheelbase of 3.17 meters. Mastering hairpin turns hurriedly and confidently can easily become a challenge with such values.

The most agile member of the range is the Ghibli
The Ghibli, which can be considered a kind of Quattroporte with a shortened wheelbase, proved to be a binding package during the speed tests at the Autodromo di Modena.

It has the best power-to-weight ratio and therefore presents itself as the most agile member of the trio, but on the other hand also shines with a balance that allows relaxed cruising despite all the snappy attitude.

Common to all Trofeo models as well as the Ghibli hybrid is the new connectivity architecture, which for the Ghibli and Quattroporte now features a touchscreen monitor enlarged to 10.1 inches.

The new telematics platform is fully linked to a service world consisting of Apple Store, Personal Account, Life Navigation Services, Remote Diagnostic Control, E-Call, Alexa in Vehicle Voice Assistant and Over-the-Air updates.

The prices of the trio start for the

• Ghibli Hybrid at 80 350 francs
• For the Trofeos, the Ghibli 150 350
• for the Levante 181 150
• and for the Quattroporte 182 950 francs due

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