The current American take on the Ghibli

BJL said:

We all want to stick up for our beloved marque and react to negative comments about a particular model but in my modest opinion and with respect to others views we mustn't be guilty of 'the emperors new clothes'.

I just can't understand why the marketing people at maser have so little knowledge of market psychology.
Build a halo model which is very very quick, has a great chassis, looks mean, filled with leather and costs AMG 63 money. Launch it to a press eager to drive it. Get the headlines 'Maserati storm back to the top of the tree' and then disclosed lesser variants will follow within months. The mass market they seek would be drooling over the Ghibli Cup version whilst happily buying the near look alikes. Simple........so bl00dy simple even I get it.

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Spot on. Absolutely spot on. I would have been delighted to have been able to say I loved driving the Ghibli, but I simply didn't. Still haven't driven the Skyhook car on extended test though, and will be happy to share my thoughts on that, particularly if they are different to the sports suspension version I had a few weeks ago.

I can't imagine why Maserati didn't push this car out with ultra-high performance; it's in the history of the marque, why would a company not want to have all the press talking about it positively, and putting the other manufacturers in the position of catching up?

A few other comments from other posts:

Massaging seats? Oh yes - very handy if like me you regularly spend 8+ hours per day driving. They don't put one to sleep, they gently rock the lower spine area to prevent the back seizing up. If you commute for 30 minutes, they are a waste of space, and it's also worth noting that many of the annoying aspects of the car become totally unimportant. Bit different if you are spending longer in the car than many people spend at work in a day.

Electronic toys? Handy, but not the prime reason I rejected the car. That was because the ride on that car was appalling; I couldn't live with it for 30 minutes. Adaptive cruise is an excellent feature though, and now the Germans have it working properly (something Jag couldn't manage 10 years ago), it has been a long distance drive essential. Not available.

Rear leg room? Handy, and sadly not something Maserati will ever be able to fix. Bit awkward to have to apologise to clients every time they sit in the back.

Character? Yes, it would be nice if it had any. Looks like an Audi inside - for me it's already thoroughly Germanic, the Italian flair is missing.

Side by side with an older Maserati it has lost (in my opinion) the Maserati character. It is a dull characterless box, and is very much attempting to compete in the 5-series market. Doesn't matter what 'we' think, that's the stated aim of Maserati - those are the customers they want to capture. It should have been an easy sell to someone like me - I come wanting to like the Ghibli, and psychologically prepared to convince myself without the salesman doing it. I still don't get it - it's not really a Maserati, and perhaps that's the reason.

With a 500+bhp Alfa coming to the showrooms, and no (underpowered) Alfieri in sight, I think Maserati have blown it. They need BIG volume from this car in the US and Chinese markets. If they don't achieve it, they will go under.

I am aware of what you're saying and choose not to be concerned. I've mapped several cars previously, many inside warranty and never had an issue. Besides my local dealer doesn't know one end of a spanner from the other which helps my chances of there being no issue. Life's too short.

outrun said:

I am aware of what you're saying and choose not to be concerned. I've mapped several cars previously, many inside warranty and never had an issue. Besides my local dealer doesn't know one end of a spanner from the other which helps my chances of there being no issue. Life's too short.

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Absolutely. What are they really going to do about it? Given the costs v performance upgrade, I can't imagine why you wouldn't go for it.

drewf said:

Massaging seats? Oh yes - very handy if like me you regularly spend 8+ hours per day driving. They don't put one to sleep, they gently rock the lower spine area to prevent the back seizing up. If you commute for 30 minutes, they are a waste of space, and it's also worth noting that many of the annoying aspects of the car become totally unimportant. Bit different if you are spending longer in the car than many people spend at work in a day.

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I was being a little tongue in cheek drew. I used to do 400 to 500 miles a day on a regular basis. If they came already on the car I was buying then no problem I am sure I would use them. Would I pay extra to have them fitted ? Not a chance. As far as I am aware on UK spec E class cars then they don't appear on their kit list in either the premium or premium plus packages. which are £2695 and £3895 upgrades.

I accept everything you say about the car, you've driven it and know its flaws against your needs. Mr Demuro attempted to write an article based on something he has only seen the brochure for. Its on that basis only that I offer my constructive comments about his method of research and comments.

The US market is different and you may well get more kit as standard on the BMW and the E class than here in the UK. I suspect the panoramic sunroof and key less boot opening are still options in the US.

I just read the review and it is written by someone who Clarkson would make look very stupid and that is saying something.

The Ghibli was never going to compete with the E class and 5 series it was intended to maybe pinch a few sales and tempt people out with the Trident name and the passion it inspires but no way can it compete they have been honed for many years. I spent some time in Athol's car during Le Mans and it was a very nice place to be really, it went well and sounded really good much better than I imagined it would. Would like to hear how the car performs after the remap as it went very well as standard with 4 up!

Oh and listen to the sound of them when driven properly! Admittedly two bottles of wine down me

That was not my car Phil, mine has a different plate on it.

outrun said:

That was not my car Phil, mine has a different plate on it.

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True story. Glad you got the plates sorted