Hooniverse Asks: Is there anything you want to know about the Maserati Ghibli GranSport?

The specs, on paper, seem interesting. Especially considering the engine was assembled in a quaint stretch of Italy called Modena. It’s no V8 though, and it’s only half a V12. The car in question here is a 2019 Maserati Ghibli. More specifically, it’s the SQ4 GranSport version, so it’s packing a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. That mill is good for 424 horsepower, and it pairs quite will with the much loved ZF-built 8-speed automatic gearbox.

But is this thing actually any good? I’ll save the details for my upcoming review.

For now, I’m curious to hear your questions about this sleek machine that hides some switchgear and electric bits from Detroit.

It’s definitely a looker. But it should be based on those trident badges and the eye-watering price tag.I haven’t listed the exact as-tested price here because I want to see how that bit plays out in the comments and questions below. Are any of you curious about this car? And what do you want to know about it?

I’ve lived with it for nearly a week. There are parts I like. There are …a fair bit of things I do not. But this is your turn to sound off. And I’ll dive back in to answer questions later in the day.

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25 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: Is there anything you want to know about the Maserati Ghibli GranSport?”

  1. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    It’s pretty closely related to the Alfa Giulia isn’t it? How different does it feel?

    1. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      Strangely enough, I was curious about this on the weekend – Wikipedia attributes it as related to the Quattroporte, but no mention of the Giulia (For what that’s worth). That sort of checks out, because the Giulia is far more cramped than the Ghibli appears to be.

    2. caltemus Avatar
      caltemus

      I don’t think it is. Maserati developed this platform for the Ghibli and Quattraporte way before the Giulia’s development.

    3. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      The only Giulia I’ve driven is the Quadrifogorgigoonie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4txlLqcTsyQ
      And that car is fantastic, even with its faults.
      The Ghibli …is not as entertaining. The chassis is well sorted, but the car is fairly boring around town whereas the Giulia is always ready to rock. Maybe that is what some would prefer though.

      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        Quadroformaggio?

    4. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Different platforms, different engines. I think the Ghibli is slated to move to the Giorgio platform, but hasn’t yet (to my knowledge). And contrary to what is stated above, I thought the Maser used the 3.0L V6.

  2. caltemus Avatar
    caltemus

    Who buys it, and why did they pay so much for a chrysler 300? What does it do differently in this segment do demand it’s high pricetag?

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      People who think they’re car enthusiasts but actually don’t know shit about cars…

      1. caltemus Avatar
        caltemus

        Aah yes, the same kind of person that puts fake AMG badges on their C250

        1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
          Jeff Glucker

          My last comment felt a bit harsh. It’s definitely a cool looking car, but I just can’t see telling someone shopping in this space to spend money on this one.

          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Doesn’t owning a Maserati at least provide 1/4 car cred on principle alone?

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Doesn’t owning a Maserati at least provide 1/4 car cred on principle alone?

      2. mdharrell Avatar

        If that’s true then why don’t I want one?

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      I wouldn’t (couldn’t) buy one, but the SQ4 that launched away from a stoplight in front of me yesterday sounded sweet as hell.

  3. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Doesn’t the Ghibli use the 3.0, not the 2.9 of the Giulia?

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      It uses a different 2.9. Maserati designed, based on a Pentastar block. Parts built in the US then shipped to Moden for assembly. The Giulia uses an actual Ferrari engine.

    2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      It uses a different 2.9. Maserati designed, based on a Pentastar block. Parts built in the US then shipped to Moden for assembly. The Giulia uses an actual Ferrari engine.

      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Right… the Maserati-designed, Pentastar-based, Ferrari-assembled F160 V6, which is 2979 cc in displacement. I’ve not heard it referred to as a “2.9”. The only 2.9 V6 in the FCA family, I thought, was the QF engine.

        1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
          Jeff Glucker

          Hmm, fair point. I was talking to someone the other day and they called it the 2.9 so that stuck in my head.

          1. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            It’s just a name. I wasn’t trying to be a smartassed pedant. We’re obviously talking about the same engine– I was just interested at first read, thinking the Ghibli had suddenly adopted the V6 of the Alfa, which made me think it may have switched to the Giorgio platform as well.

          2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
            Jeff Glucker

            no smartassery detected.You’re right on the naming of the engines.

  4. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    In the small pic preview I saw, I thought I was looking at the rear end of a Maxima.

    The coupes with the V8 sound fantastic, apart from that I cannot think of a compelling reason to own a Maserati anything, unless I were rich, vindictive and about to lose the car in a divorce.

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Speaking of sound, people buy these with a diesel!

  5. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

    Does it feel any less like a Chrysler than the earlier examples?

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Yes, a little bit – The leather seats are nice, as is the material on the dash and doors. The carbon fiber is real. But the switchgear is clearly FCA.