What's the news?
Four years on from its original launch, the Maserati Ghibli is getting an update and some styling tweaks, and a new name - the Ghibli GranLusso. If you're wondering, yes, there will also be a Ghibli GranSport, which will look rather more aggressive and, well, sporty.
It's a pretty low-key restyling job (if it ain't broke, don't fix etc etc) and is essentially limited to a new front bumper, with some extra chrome inserts, and a new radiator grille, which also features some extra chrome. Look down the sides, and you'll see a new GranLusso badge, and some body-kit side skirts.
There's also a new rear bumper, which now includes a body-colour rear diffuser, but we suspect that it's not going to generate much in the way of actual downforce. This is primarily a luxury car, after all.
There are some interior updates too, but they're again on the not-very-obvious side, not least because it's not that long ago that the Ghibli was updated with a new infotainment system. There is some new tech, in the shape of a new Matrix LED headlight system, but there's also ADAS technology included, which Maserati says allows it "to enter the world of autonomous driving." We're not sure exactly what that means just yet, but expect motorway guidance and steering systems, similar to that deployed by the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, in the short term.
The existing 3.6-litre V6 petrol and 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines will be carried over for now, as there's no word yet on Maserati's hybrid powertrain, which is coming, but is being kept under wraps for now.
The new GranLusso will make its global debut this week at the Chengdu Motorshow, in China, because Fiat-Chrysler is not taking a stand at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.