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Maserati Ghibli

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Maserati Ghibli: Maserati Ghibli: A Storied Name Across Three Generations
Photo: Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Maserati Ghibli: A Storied Name Across Three Generations

The Ghibli badge has graced a 1960s V8 grand tourer, a 1990s twin-turbo coupe and a modern sports saloon, making it one of Maserati's most enduring names.

First seen in 1967, the original Ghibli was a front-engined V8 grand tourer styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia, and it rivalled the Ferrari Daytona and Lamborghini Miura for glamour. Its long bonnet, pop-up headlights and 4.7-litre V8 made it an icon of the era.

The name returned in 1992 on a compact twin-turbo coupe built on the Biturbo platform, offering strong performance from a small V6 in a tidy two-door body. That generation kept the Ghibli alive through the brand's leaner years.

Since 2013, the Ghibli has been a four-door executive saloon aimed squarely at the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, offered with turbocharged V6 petrol, diesel and later hybrid power. Across all three eras the Ghibli has stood for accessible Maserati style and performance.

Frequently asked questions about Maserati Ghibli

How many generations of Ghibli are there?
Three: the 1967 V8 grand tourer, the 1992 twin-turbo coupe and the modern four-door saloon launched in 2013.
What engine does the modern Ghibli use?
The current saloon offers turbocharged V6 petrol and diesel engines, with a mild-hybrid four-cylinder added later in its life.
Who designed the original Ghibli?
Giorgetto Giugiaro styled it while at Ghia, creating one of the most admired grand tourer shapes of the 1960s.
What does the Ghibli compete with today?
The modern saloon targets executive rivals such as the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6.
Where does the Ghibli name come from?
Like several Maseratis, it is named after a wind, in this case a hot Libyan desert wind.

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