1996 Maserati Ghibli

Maserati revived the Ghibli name in the early 1990s as an evolution of the previous Biturbo coupe, retaining its predecessor's basic bodyshell and interior and equipped with an updated 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine. The name 'Ghibli' had first been used by Maserati in the 1960s for an attractive, Ghia-styled V8-powered supercar produced from 1967 to 1973. The 'Ghibli II' that followed was a two-door, four-seater coupe wearing styling by Marcello Gandini, introduced in April of 1992 at the 62nd Turin Motor Show, and produced through 1998. The Biturbo's 2.0-liter 2-liter, three-valves per cylinder, V6 engine was installed underneath the bonnet and backed by a six-speed manual transmission for the Italian market, while export versions received a larger 2.0-liter V6 with a five-speed manual transmission.

The Maserati Ghibli II was intended to challenge the luxury sport saloon market, including vehicles produced by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, by offering both performance and luxury. It was endowed with Connolly Leather and burl elm trim, and could sprint from zero-to-sixty in approximately 5.7 seconds and top speed was achieved at 155 mph. It would form the basis for a GT racer and limited production, special editions.

The second-generation Ghibli had a conventional build with front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration and featured independent suspension and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. In the front was a MacPherson strut-type suspension with semi-trailing arms at the rear, with coil springs, anti-roll bars and double-acting dampers on both axles. Both the rear suspension arms and differential were supported via a bushing-insulated subframe. The unitary constructed body/chassis was styled in-house by Innocenti, part of the De Tomaso empire, as were Maserati. A five-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed automatic transmission was available. Maserati's 'Ranger' Torsen limited-slip differential was standard and sourced from the Biturbo, but with an added oil cooler. The steering system was a servo-assisted rack and pinion unit.

The dual overhead camshaft 90-degree V6 engine had four valves per cylinder and a Weber-Magneti Marelli IAW electronic fuel injection and ignition system. It was constructed from aluminum alloy and backed by a Getrag-supplied six-speed manual transmission from the Shamal on the two-liter cars. The 2.8-liter versions used the ZF transmission and a Getrag unit in 1995.

The 2-liter engine produced 302 horsepower at 6,250 RPM and 275 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 RPM. The 2.8-liter version produced 280 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 305 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 RPM. The 2-liter version had a top speed of 158 mph and a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. The 2.8-liter version topped out at 155 mph and took six seconds to reach 100 km/h. Maserati built 1,157 examples of the two-liter version of the Italian and European market, plus 1,063 of the 2.8-liter version.

In 1994, Maserati revamped the '2nd Generation' Ghibli with an updated interior, new larger and wider 17-inch alloy wheels of a new design, new wing mirrors, a fully adjustable electronic suspension, and ABS brakes. Further revisions followed in 1996 with new 17-inch spoked wheels, a revised exhaust system to comply with the latest EU emissions legislation, and transmission and suspension upgrades. These changes brought about a new name for the model, the Ghibli GT.

The Ghibli Open Cup was introduced in late 1994 as a single-make racing series. The Ghibli Kit Sportivo and the Ghibli Cup special edition versions were introduced in 1995 with the former receiving OZ 'Futura III' split-rim wheels and updates to the suspension including anti-roll bars, dampers, and specific springs. The Ghibli Cup edition received some mechanical upgrades sourced from the Open Cup racer including a 2.0-liter engine rated at 325 horsepower, Brembo brakes, and a tuned suspension. They rode on 5-spoke split-rim Speedline wheels and wore unique badges on its doors. The interiors were done in black leather with carbon fiber trim, aluminum pedals, and a MOMO steering wheel. The only exterior color options available were red, French blue, yellow, and white.

Between 1996 and 1997, Maserati built 57 examples of the Ghibli Cup and 60 examples of the Ghibli Primatist.

After 1998, Maserati retired the Ghibli name and it once again laid dormant for many years, only to be awoken in 2013 for a new range of Grand Touring four-door saloons.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2022