2016 Maserati Ghibli Diesel first drive

This is the 2016 model year refresh of Maserati’s smaller four-door saloon. The main technical change is the modification of the V6 diesel engine to accommodate the injection of Adblue (a urea-based chemical that reduces the nitrogen oxide output of diesel engines). 

A small tank for the Adblue has been mounted under the car’s existing fuel tank, and the addition of the system means the engine now has Euro 6 emissions approval.

Maserati didn’t emphasise it in the MY16 literature, but the Ghibli has also been treated to a new sound-proofing package, which is said to be more effective at quietening the cabin without adding weight.

The door seals have also been improved (important for refinement because the Ghibli has frameless windows), while the door latches have been changed so the sound of a closing door is ‘improved’.

Maserati says it is most excited by the option of a new type of silk inlay fabric for both the Ghibli's and the Quattroporte's interiors. Produced by Italian fabric manufacturer and fashion house Zegna, the new material has been developed to meet the onerous automotive requirements for wear resistance and longevity.

The Ghibli is now offered with the option of a Blind Spot Alert system, which uses radar sensors mounted in the rear bumper, to alert the driver when a car is approaching from behind, while a new ‘Rear Cross Path’ function is designed to alert the driver to potential collisions when reversing out of a parking space. Additionally, the boot lid can now be opened by moving your foot under the rear bumper.

A new 900W and 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is now a standard feature, incorporating a ’12-channel amplifier’ and a subwoofer.

The optional Bowers and Wilkins Premium audio system now features a ‘Clar-Fi’ function, which is designed to improve the sound of compressed music files.

As high-end executive cars go, the Ghibli has its own flavour, which is very much Maserati’s pitch for the car.

Both of the firm's saloons have clearly benefitted from some years of honing and polishing, meaning they have less to fear from the German establishment.

The V6 diesel engine is now more refined, and even with the bonnet raised it is surprisingly quiet at ticover. Maserati's engineers have also done a fine job of integrating the motor with the eight-speed automatic gearbox.

All in all, this drivetrain is impressively quick, meters out its performance with great civility and is well integrated with the transmission whether climbing Italian mountain roads or overtaking on the motorway.

High-speed refinement is also better. The powertrain settles into a distant thrum and there's very little wind noise around the A-pillars and frameless doors.

You can hardly pick big holes in the Ghibli’s ride and handling balance, either. The steering – operated through a satisfyingly fat wheel rim – has a distinctly Italian feel.

It is nicely weighted and delivers a sense of accuracy that makes skirting quickly around alpine bends easier than it is in most cars of this size.