Features
21 Nov 17

Maserati MY18 test drive: Italian neo-baroque with RV credentials

From just 6,300 cars in 2012, FCA’s ‘GT’ brand has grown to 50,000 units in 2017. Increasing numbers of customers appreciate the combination of exclusivity, craftsmanship, performance and more rational engines. Indeed, diesel is no longer blasphemy in Modena since 2012. From that year on, residual values have come up dramatically, too. The Ghibli and Quattroporte even outperform their peers.

The three ‘fleet’ models of Maserati have a lot in common. Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante share the same 275 hp 3-litre V6 diesel, mated to a magnificent ZF 8 speed – indeed, the same one used by BMW, Porsche, Audi and JLR. All three are available as GranLusso and GranSport versions, with a focus on luxury in the first case, and a sporty appearance in the second. The user-friendly infotainment system with capacitive touch screen can be seen in the centre stack of each of the three models, too.

Advanced driver assistance systems have found their way to the line-up as well, including lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop&go – very handy when you are driving on the Paris périphérique, as we did during our one-day test drive with Maserati’s MY18 models. This basically makes the latest Maseratis ‘level 2 autonomous’ – just like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class. But make no mistake: the Italian GT’s with the Tridente badge remain driver’s cars.

Ghibli: perhaps not that out of reach

The model that made Maserati’s sales skyrocket in 2014 is the smaller brother of the breath-taking Quattroporte. Compared to the German competition, the Ghibli has a very explicit design language that leans more towards sculptural and muscular than elegant and sleek. In this case, you can judge the book by the cover: the Ghibli likes to be grabbed by the steering wheel.

It is the most affordable of all Maseratis, but at roughly € 56,000 excluding tax, it aims at the very top of the D-segment iceberg. That makes the Ghibli a relatively rare sight on European roads – and so does the fact that its powertrains are not ‘fleet-optimised’. The word hybrid is nowhere to be found in Maserati’s vocabulary, and with a 3-litre V6 diesel emitting 158 g of CO2 per km, the Italians have a very hard time telling a convincing TCO story – especially vis-à-vis the BMW 530d and its mind-blowingly low 118 g/km.

However, even though a Maserati will never be a procurement manager’s top pick, used car prices indicate that the recent models are in relatively high demand, whereas supply is limited – certainly compared to the German premium trio. Have a look at used car sites like mobile.de or autoscout24.com. Retail prices of a 3-year-old 120,000 km Ghibli diesel starting at €33,000 excluding tax? Victim of their own volumes, BMW, Audi and Mercedes can only dream of such residual values today. The figures are backed by AutoVista, incidentally.

But is the Ghibli on the same level of technical refinement, sophistication and attention to detail as the German usual suspects? Frankly, no. But how could it be: Maserati operates on a much smaller scale. The progress the brand has made, is impressive nonetheless, not least in the NVH area. Besides, it is exactly this feeling of exclusiveness and ‘manufacture’ that makes a Maserati so very desirable, not least on the used car market, apparently.

Levante: not a Stelvio on steroids

Although the PR department of Maserati stresses the fact that the Maserati Levante and Alfa Romeo Stelvio don’t share a single component, the public clearly sees a resemblance between both Italian SUVs. Still, the Stelvio competes in the Jaguar F-Pace segment, whereas the Levante invites the Porsche Cayenne into the boxing ring. Its top rival from Zuffenhausen recently matured into its third generation, reaching unseen levels of technicity (48V hybridisation, active steering,…), performance and quality.

The new Cayenne has a problem, though. Due to the emission issues with the previous model, Porsche is not selling any diesels – at least for now. Chances are there might never come another Cayenne Diesel. That would leave this niche of exclusive, sporty premium E segment SUVs powered by a spontaneously combusting six cylinder almost entirely to the Maserati Levante. The only real competitor left, is the BMW X6.

In terms of handling, the Levante’s standard air suspension is a real plus, offering both offroad capability (as we found out ourselves during a 30-minute escapade on a muddy terrain suitable for a Motocross race) and on-road efficiency. Comfort is not its main vocation, though. If you want to feel as if you are floating on air, then a Mercedes GLE or Range Rover Velar is the better option. If you like your car to communicate mechanically and could not care less about gesture control, perfume dispensers, a head-up display and connected services, than the Levante is well worth considering.

MY18: improved fleet credibility

During our test drive near Paris, we were surprised by the versatility of the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. Push the sport button and you can exploit every Nm and hp to the max whilst negotiating corners as if you were Fangio - with the allegro vivace soundtrack that comes with it. But you can also proceed andante in ICE mode (Increased Control & Efficiency), enjoying a way of motoring the British call effortless driving.

The soundproofing of the Ghibli has clearly evolved compared to the 2013 model, but the engine keeps its agreeable timbre. Even when operated composedly, a Maserati never becomes boring. Cold perfection – which you sometimes sense aboard other cars at this price level – is the last thing that springs to mind when your hands caress the delicate stitching holding together tightly the fine leather and when your eyes catch the central mechanical clock on top of the dashboard.

This little timepiece perhaps symbolises the fact that tradition, craftsmanship and hedonism will never be outweighed by strict rationality in Modena. Still, il Tridente has some arguments to convince those in need of justification. A 3-year unlimited mileage warranty, for instance. And impressive residual values. Finally, at an official retailer, you are not a number, but a respected client, called by his name and pampered with a service level that is no longer feasible in mega dealerships of competing brands. But then again, you have to find one first.

 

PROS CONS

Improved overall product offer (NVH, ADAS, infotainment)

Fleet-unfriendly CO2 levels

3-year unlimited mileage warranty

No hybrid powertrains (yet)

Convincing residual values

Limited distribution network

Authored by: Dieter Quartier