Maserati Ghibli S GranLusso 2017 first drive

This is the most extensive updating yet of a model that has now been on sale for more than four years. Maserati has upgraded its best-selling model in previous seasons with a much-improved infotainment system (necessitating a partial redesign of the dashboard), adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go traffic jam function, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring. The lower-powered petrol V6 twin turbo’s power output has previously been increased from 326bhp to 345bhp, too.

The 2018 model year changes build on this with electronic driver aids and safety systems enabled by the substitution of electric power steering for the previous hydraulic system, the car now self-steering to remain in lane. The Ghibli’s nose, grille and tail have been redesigned, there’s a power upgrade for the petrol S, adaptive LED headlights are standard and the range has been restructured similarly to the Maserati Levante and Maserati Quattroporte’s. Buyers are now able to choose a base model, or versions with either the comfort GranLusso or performance GranSport pack.

Cars with either of the trim packs are the same price. Key ingredients of the GranSport pack include Maserati’s adjustable Skyhook electronic dampers, paddleshifts, racier seats and more sporting design details. The GranLusso has conventional suspension but provides soft-close doors, 12 rather than six-way electric front seats, electric adjustment for the steering wheel and pedals and interior trim that includes silk inserts by fashion designer Ermenegildo Zegna.

Up to now the Maserati Ghibli has been selling at an 80:20 diesel to petrol ratio in the UK, but Maserati now expects a 50:50 split. The 247bhp VM diesel remains unchanged, the base petrol V6 turbo provides 344bhp and the S version a thumping 444bhp, but in a car that weighs more than 1800kg.

The Ghibli remains elegantly shapely, Maserati’s designers wisely deciding not to fiddle too much, but it’s the lush cabin that is this perhaps this car’s strongest draw. An interestingly sculpted, leather-sheathed dashboard, sumptuously upholstered seats and an aura of fine Italian craftsmanship make for a particularly inviting environment, as has long been the Maserati way. The dashboard looks more contemporary now that there’s a decently scaled infotainment system at its centre, but the increasing proliferation of configurable TFT instrument screens and head-up displays means that Maserati remains adrift of some rivals in electronic display terms. That said, the Maserati Ghibli’s twin major dials make a pleasing sight.