There’s fashionably late to the party, then there’s Italian late to the party. The latter is well proven by the arrival of the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid, the company’s first hybrid model, which was launched today. The Ghibli Hybrid is based on the Italian automakers ageing saloon, the Ghibli, which was introduced in 2013. The model represents the first step that will lead to the electrification of all new Maserati models. The first all-electric cars will be the new GranTurismo and GranCabrio, scheduled for 2021.

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Mild Hybrid

Powering the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid is a 2,0-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol internal combustion engine that is mated with a 48 volt alternator and an additional electric supercharger (e-Booster), supported by a boot-mounted battery. Peak power from the unit is rated at 243 kW and peak torque of 450 N.m is delivered from just 1 500 r/min. Power is sent to the mechanical limited-slip differential after passing through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Maserati says the Ghibli Hybrid takes 5,7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and that it has a top speed of of 255 km/h. Those figures make it about as quick as the quickest front-wheel-drive hot hatches on sale today.

Check out the mean-looking Novitec Maserati Levante by clicking here.

Design

Maserati stylists have chosen blue to highlight the fact that new Ghibli is a hybrid. The colour is used on three side air ducts, the brake calipers and a thunderbolt in the oval that encloses the Trident badge on the rear pillar. The treatment continues insider with the hue applied to embroidered seams of the seats. Other changes include restyled taillights.