Maserati’s First Electrified Car is a Ghibli With a Mild-Hybrid System
Maserati is finally making the leap towards electrification, a dream shared by many established and upcoming automakers alike, but it is not a very big leap after all. The Italian brand’s first charge into electric territory will be made by a facelifted Ghibli sporting a mild-hybrid system.
The system comprises a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine under the hood, complemented by a small rear-mounted battery and an electric motor that serves as a starter motor, which also recovers braking energy and powers the e-Booster (electric compressor) to give the Ghibli that extra push at low revs. The result is a total of 330 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, helping the Ghibli Hybrid to propel from standstill to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 158 mph.
While other hybrids or electric variants are often heavier than their ICE counterparts, Maserati managed to shave 80 kgs off the Ghibli Hybrid, compared to the V6 Ghibli, because of the smaller battery required in the mild-hybrid set-up. Maserati also claims that the Ghibli Hybrid variant produces 25% less CO2.
All 2021 Ghiblis will feature minor styling updates: new grille with bars reminiscent of a tuning fork; boomerang-shaped taillights; and, for all Maserati’s more “eco-friendly” electric cars now and in the future, blue accents—on the Ghibli hybrid, this distinguishing colour is found on the side vents, brake calipers and rear pillar logo.
Inside the 2021 Ghibli, the infotainment display has been expanded to 10.1 inches and the analog gauges have been replaced by a digital instrument cluster. And the new Maserati Connect programme updates software and gives the car regular check-ups to detect any issue.
After the Ghibli, Maserati has plans to further electrify their range of luxury saloons, GT cars and SUV. Production of the Ghibli Hybrid will begin in September, with the cars hitting showrooms by October, but only in the European market for now.
