2018 Maserati Ghibli facelift debuts in Malaysia – in standard, GranSport and GranLusso, from RM619k

Naza Italia has officially introduced the 2018 Maserati Ghibli and Ghibli S in Malaysia, and the facelifted M157 – which made its debut last year – goes on sale here in a number of variant forms. The update brings along two new trims, GranLusso and GranSport, on top of the standard versions of the saloon.

The facelift adds on a revamped front end which now features a larger grille, its ‘sharknose’ profile inspired by the Alfieri concept and facelifted GranTurismo. The base Ghibli and Ghibli GranLusso share the same external design features, while the Ghibli GranSport features differently styled front/rear bumpers. Elsewhere, the lower air intake has also been redesigned, and features chrome inserts on the GranLusso model.

While the headlights have maintained the same contour, new adaptive full LED headlights find their way on to the GranLusso and GranSport variants (the standard car is equipped with bi-xenon units). Along the sides, the side skirts are now body-coloured, and new badging on the front fenders indicates the variant designation, while at the back, there’s a sharper-looking body-coloured diffuser.

External styling elements on the GranLusso include chrome inserts on the front bumper, a GranLusso badge at the base of the front wing, body-colour side skirts, silver brake calipers and 20-inch Urano Diamond alloy wheels.

Inside, an Ermenegildo Zegna Silk interior – in combination with Ebano wood trim – introduces patented mulberry silk inserts on the seats, doors panels, roof lining and ceiling light fixture. Other features include an ebony wood-finished leather steering wheel, comfort seats with extensive 12-way power adjustment as standard as well as power-adjustable foot pedals and new soft-close doors, among other things.

As for the GranSport, exterior bits include black piano inserts on its dedicated front bumper, a GranSport badge on the front wing, blue inserts on all Trident and Saetta logos, red brake calipers and 21-inch Titano Anthracite alloy wheels. Inside, tte variant gets sport 12-way powered, full leather seats and a sport steering wheel, with paddle shifts and Inox sport foot pedals fitted as standard.

Both the standard Ghibli and Ghibli GranSport can be further customised with an exterior carbon package, which adds on a healthy dollop of carbon-fibre trim. On the base car, CF bits feature on the external door mirrors, B- and C-pillar covers and door handles, while the GranSport adds on to this with additional front splitter and rear spoiler CF elements.

No change in output in the standard Ghibli – the 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 engine, paired with a ZF HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission, continues on with the hiked 350 PS at 5,500 rpm and 500 Nm at 4,500 rpm introduced in 2016 as part of the car’s 2017 model year update. Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 5.5 seconds and a 267 km/h top speed.

The Ghibli S, however, gets a power bump with the refresh. Output numbers are now 430 PS at 5,750 rpm and 580 Nm from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm, 20 Hp and 30 Nm more than the 2017 car. The increased power output shaves off a whisker in the Ghibli S’ 0-100 km/h time, now 4.9 seconds compared to the previous 5.0 seconds, and top speed has also gone up a shade to 286 km/h from the 285 km/h before.

Finally, pricing. That for the Ghibli starts from RM618,800 (inclusive of taxes and duties) for the standard model, while the Ghibli GranLusso and GranSport go for RM668,800.

As for the Ghibli S, pricing starts at RM718,800 for the base model, while that for the GranLusso and GranSport versions of the Ghibli S begin from RM768,800.

All the Maserati Ghibli models come with a five-year, unlimited mileage standard warranty coverage along with a free five-year/100,000 km maintenance programme (inclusive of a three-year/60,000 km Maserati Premium Service Plus package).

GALLERY: 2018 Maserati Ghibli GranLusso

GALLERY: 2018 Maserati Ghibli GranSport

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