What's the news?
The 2018 Maserati range has been thoroughly revised and updated at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Improving its offering across its models, both the Ghibli and Levante models will now be made available in the choice of GranLusso and GranSport specifications, which previously was introduced in the Quattroporte range.
Maserati's designers have given the Ghibli a mild nip and tuck to freshen up its appearance for the coming year. Reshaped front and rear bumpers present a newer look and boast a 7 per cent improvement in aerodynamics. New lighting has been added to both of its saloon models, with the Ghibli receiving Adaptive full LED headlights with Matrix technology, which has been developed in partnership with Magneti Marelli.
The new look is further aided by the introduction of the two new model specifications, with each bringing a more distinct style. But more interestingly for drivers, the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine gets a power upgrade. Range-topping Ghibli S and S Q4 models get a boost to 430hp and 580Nm, an improvement of 20hp and 30Nm respectively. Hitting 100km/h from rest now takes just 4.9 seconds for the Ghibli and 4.7 seconds for the all-wheel drive Ghibli S Q4.
Other updates include the introduction of electrically assisted power steering for the first time in a Maserati. Safety systems get a bump with many of the usual Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) making an appearance as an option. Highway and Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition become available.
For the 2018 model year, the Levante also gains the new electric power steering system, which Maserati unsurprisingly claims to provide an even more thrilling driving experience. On the safety front, the company's SUV earns new active safety functions such as Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Active Blind Spot Assist.
These updates should bolster what has already proven to be a hugely successful model for the company and now accounts for half of all global sales. Such success naturally leads to the question of whether Maserati will contemplate adding another SUV model to its lineup. But company CEO, Reid Bigland, is keen to quell any suggestions, for now, stating: "Right now it is about the 2018 model range and I'm reluctant to comment on the future, but for sure, we're watching the game and looking at consumer preference and where that is going."
He added: "It's pretty clear that consumers are preferring crossovers and SUVs versus that of traditional passenger vehicles, so I wouldn't say that anything is off the table from a Maserati perspective. We need to build vehicles that consumers want to buy and right now the majority of consumers want to buy SUVs. But we need to be true to Maserati."
Anything else?
The Quattroporte gains L-shape technology full LED lighting, along with the full suite of ADAS goodies. It too gets that bump in power bring it up to 430hp and in turn knocking a tenth of a second off the 0-100km/h dash for the Quattroporte S and S Q4.
A more substantial refresh for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio centre around improved looks and aerodynamics on the outside and a new infotainment system inside. The styling tweaks draw from the Alfieri concept, which still has a cloud of uncertainty hanging over its future. When we pushed CEO Reid Bigland for more on it, he all but confirmed that it's still up for consideration, stating: "There were some rumours six months ago that Alfieri is dead and I think that was a little premature. It is still out there, but there is nothing to announce right now. If you look at the interventions we made in the new GT and GC we took a lot of inspiration from it. It's not an Alfieri, but it's still out there."