The 2014 Maserati Ghibli is the Italian sports car manufacturer’s attempt to drastically increase volume. Before the Ghibli was introduced, a Maserati was the type of car that only 6000 or so people could buy each year, around the world. Maserati hopes to move its sales into the 50,000-unit range by 2015, and they’re pinning most of those hopes on the Ghibli. It’s got a Maserati-designed, Ferrari-sourced engine, and it’s based on the underpinnings of the Quattroporte. The interior is cheaply outfitted, finished with components from the Chrysler parts bin, but they had to cut costs somehow. However, the new Maserati Ghibli has a few things going for it. It starts at around $66,000, and it’s available in several configurations. The base Ghibli gets 345 horsepower; trading up to the Ghibli S nets a bump to 404 ponies. Both options are powered by twin-turbo V6 engines. Both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Ghiblis will be available. Aaron Gold, Autobytel’s Road Test Editor, took a 2014 Ghibli for a test drive and found that despite Maserati’s cost-cutting measures, it still feels like driving an exotic, high-end car. Hydraulic steering feels organic and natural, and the suspension is firm, yet smooth and responsive. As it turns out, the cut-rate Maserati Ghibli actually exceeds expectations.
