Test Drive Three 2018 Maserati models offer Italian luxury
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The 2018 Maserati Ghibli sedan is driven on a highway near Yeongjongdo, Incheon, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Forza Motors Korea
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Foreign auto brands have led explosive growth in the nation’s luxury automobile market, spearheaded by German premium carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW whose sales renew records every quarter.
Featuring differentiated characteristics, the Italian luxury Maserati brand has also joined the cutthroat competition in the premium automobile market with three models _ the Ghibli sports sedan, Levante SUV and Quattroporte flagship sedan.
The three models were offered for a test drive during an event at the Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Hotel in Songdo, Incheon last week. And the Italian trio suggested a different set of standards in luxury automobiles with their explosive performance and premium interior materials.
This reporter drove the three models from the Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Hotel to a coastal highway on Yeongjong Island in Incheon _ a distance of about 60 kilometers, and each model boasted its own attractiveness during the ride.
The 2018 Ghibli sports sedan
The 2018 Ghibli sports sedan comes with three different engine choices _ a 3-liter V6 diesel, 3-liter V6 gasoline and 3-liter V6 gasoline S Q4 engine.
This reporter drove the 3-liter V6 gasoline SQ4 model that generates a maximum 430 horsepower with a 59.2 kg.m torque. It features the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, and takes 4.7 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour.
The Maserati Ghibli S Q4 expressed its darting nature even in idle. The model’s growling nature turned to a roar with acceleration. The fascinating exhaust sound popped when up-shifting gears.
The ZF transmission timely delivered the driver’s intention all the time, but intervened just before the model’s rpm reached its red zone.
The enlarged head grille between a pair of matrix LED headlamps symbolized a crouching beast in front while the Ghibli’s sideline arch successfully enhanced the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
The Italian carmaker’s latest advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as integrated vehicle control, electric power steering, and lane keeping assistance, were featured in the model.
The Ghibli S Q4 targets young motorists in their 20s and 30s, who want to enjoy Italian luxury and punchy acceleration inherited from its sister brand Ferrari.
The 2018 Ghibli sports sedan is priced between 112.4 million won ($102,376) and 140.8 million won.
The 2018 Levante SUV
Of the three Maserati models, the 2018 Levante SUV surprised this reporter the most with its versatility.
The SUV is available in three different engine categories _ a 3.0-liter diesel; a gasoline turbo; and a gasoline twin-turbo engine. This reporter drove the 3-liter V6 gasoline twin-turbo engine model.
It produces a maximum 430 horsepower with a 59.2 kg.m torque, and reaches 100 kilometers per hour in 5.2 seconds.
The Levante SUV features the double-wishbone suspension in front and the rear five-way multilink suspension whose ground clearance can be adjustable according to the driver’s choice.
The Brembo six-piston brake caliper encourages drivers to test the vehicle’s threshold.
The 2018 Levante SUV’s highway drive assist, however, still has a room to be improved since the system failed to deliver a stable cruise control with the driver’s hands off the steering wheel.
The SUV model is priced between 124.4 million and 165.9 million won.
The 2018 Quattroporte sedan
The Italian carmaker’s flagship sedan offered rather luxurious and comfortable driving characteristics.
This reporter drove the 2018 Quattroporte S Q4 sedan that mounts a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine. It generates a maximum 430 horsepower with a 59.2 kg.m torque, and hits 100 kilometers per hour in 4.8 seconds.
The Quattroporte sedan welcomes the driver and passengers with Italian Ermenegildo Zegna edition silk seats, while sporting a Radica real wood dashboard.
Like its sister models, the flagship sedan also features the increase control & efficiency (ICE) mode that is designed to reduce fuel consumption, noise and emissions.
In ICE mode, the 2018 Quattropore becomes a luxury comfort family sedan for daily use.
The flagship luxury sedan model is sold for between 153.8 million and 233.3 million won.
The three models doesn’t feature a heads-up display, but Maserati importer Forza Motor said it will mount the display system from the next-generation lineup.