[anderson_b76]

Enjoy….

 

[rsm]

Was great until he introduced the new CEO from... Chrysler?! I wonder if the Italians can truly know the amount of disgust (european car owning) Americans hold for that vile company?

I like the Ghibli, but something inside is telling me "Run!"

In the spirit of full disclosure I have to admit I am a card-carrying UAW despiser. Plus lost a crapload of cash after the Obama hoods suspended the rule of law and gave my GM bond investments to the UAW along with untold amounts of tax dollars. Don't ever let anyone trick you into thinking buying American equals supporting American ideals. In fact with UAW-built junk it's quite the opposite, that is unless you believe Socialism and Despotism are foundational to Amercan history.

Sorry for the rant, but not really.

 

[Etodd31856]

I thought that presentation was outstanding and made me want this car all the more. I also agree that touting Chrysler execs was not in the best interest of Maserati, not for the reasons noted by RSM (although my sympathies go out to RSM and I will not get started on how I feel about unions or what they are doing to our country), but that I agree that I do not want my maserati associated with Chrysler as one has a completely different brand image than the the other. I have owned three Jeeps and while they are great cars they are not Maseratis. Neither is the 200 or 300 which are also not Maseratis and never will be. One of the reasons I love BMW is they are still independent so a BMW is a BMW and BMW has been fighting off consolidation for many years. While Maserati has common ownership with Chrysler via Fiat, they should let there cars stand on their own as I do not believe Chrysler owners are going to switch over to Maserati ever.........nor can Chrysler improve sales for Maserati......the execs of Chrysler could never understand what the CEO of Maserati just described.......

 

[ratti]

cool unveiling, i did expect a bit more of a dramatic unveiling for a vehicle that's so significant to the brand, it's going to be one of it's top selling vehicles. I've seen much better unveilings for even much cheaper cars.

Still good, not great.

 

[rsm]

.....the execs of Chrysler could never understand what the CEO of Maserati just described.....

Run Forest! Run!!!

This is exactly why I hesitate to buy the Maserati instead of the 650.

They say the "risk takers" will go for the Ghibli, which would be true if Maserati were not also risking their company Chrysler-style. Dammit! This is not going to end well.

The BMW is looking more and more like the obvious choice...

 

[rsm]

All right. Apologies for the ranting, but it's getting more difficult with each bit of questionable news regarding the Ghibli or Maserati itself. I've just read a review reporting that the Ghibli's current platform will serve as the platform for the next gen Chrysler 300. In other words when you buy a Ghibli you are buying the Chrysler 300 of tomorrow. Yep, too close to crap for my nose, see ya Chryslerati, as much as I don't want to I'm going back to the Germans. At least BMW doesn't defecate where it eats.

Close, but no cigar.

Over and out.

 

[anderson_b76]

All right. Apologies for the ranting, but it's getting more difficult with each bit of questionable news regarding the Ghibli or Maserati itself. I've just read a review reporting that the Ghibli's current platform will serve as the platform for the next gen Chrysler 300. In other words when you buy a Ghibli you are buying the Chrysler 300 of tomorrow. Yep, too close to crap for my nose, see ya Chryslerati, as much as I don't want to I'm going back to the Germans. At least BMW doesn't defecate where it eats.

Close, but no cigar.

Over and out.

LOL whoa, chill out. News Alert; the platform is also used by Mercedes for the E class and is one of the best platforms in the industry. The engine is built by Ferrari and surely that technology will trickle down throughout the Fiat companies. The navigation is from Jeep. The switchgear is from Chrysler.

Are you really just understanding this all now? Are you not aware this is common in the auto industry? How about a Bentley that uses VW parts? How about a Rolls that uses BMW parts? BMW is not NEARLY as pure as you think. In fact, the switchgear that comes from Chrysler, really comes from a independent parts manufacturer, of which, there are about 3 of them that EVERY car company uses.

With that said, if you feel BMW is the best in class then don't let anyone stop you. However, I would read the professional reviews before you do so. The new 5 series was just rated in last place in the class compared to Audi, Mercedes and Cadillac. BMW is NOT the same company building amazing cars they did 5 to 10 years ago.

 

[vuem5]

All right. Apologies for the ranting, but it's getting more difficult with each bit of questionable news regarding the Ghibli or Maserati itself. I've just read a review reporting that the Ghibli's current platform will serve as the platform for the next gen Chrysler 300. In other words when you buy a Ghibli you are buying the Chrysler 300 of tomorrow. Yep, too close to crap for my nose, see ya Chryslerati, as much as I don't want to I'm going back to the Germans. At least BMW doesn't defecate where it eats.

Close, but no cigar.

Over and out.

Platform sharing is pretty common occurrence these days and every make is consolidating to achieve economies of scale (Vws toureg platform is used to build cayennes for instance). This allows manufacturers to focus on meat and potatoes of the car rather then spending billions on developing a brand new chassis for each model. It allows them to focus on engine, suspension etc... If Maserati was building this thing from scratch it wouldn't be able to offer the base car at 65k. Furthermore it looks like the Maserati tech will end up being used by Chrysler and not the other way around which means it's a win-win for Chrysler/Maser. Bottom line is if you think BMW is a better car because it uses everything that's built in house you,d be surprised how many components of BMWs are actually not made by them: ex : tranny built by zf. Wheels are bbs, etc etc.

 

[rsm]

I'm fully aware of the relationship with Bentley and VW etc. This is different, this is Chrysler forfucksake, all the "sharing" with that vile company, the shithead execs, the parts, the technology distribution. Chrysler is poison and Maserati appears to be drinking it deeply. The Chrysler infotainment and switchgear I could swallow, albeit whilst holding my nose. But the executive shakeup in NA and the announced total technology transfer, including the Ghibli's engine, to the UAW shitshow that is the Chrysler 300. Well that's too much to ask; the closest I'm willing to get to a ghibli now is when I'll visit the dealer to get my deposit back.

 

[culverwood]

I'm fully aware of the relationship with Bentley and VW etc. This is different, this is Chrysler for fucksake, all the "sharing" with that vile company, the shithead execs, the parts, the technology distribution. Chrysler is poison and Maserati appears to be drinking it deeply. The Chrysler infotainment and switchgear I could swallow, albeit whilst holding my nose. But the executive shakeup in NA and the announced total technology transfer, including the Ghibli's engine, to the UAW shitshow that is the Chrysler 300. Well that's too much to ask; the closest I'm willing to get to a Ghibli now is when I'll visit the dealer to get my deposit back.

Thank you and goodbye.

 

[vuem5]

I'm fully aware of the relationship with Bentley and VW etc. This is different, this is Chrysler forfucksake, all the "sharing" with that vile company, the shithead execs, the parts, the technology distribution. Chrysler is poison and Maserati appears to be drinking it deeply. The Chrysler infotainment and switchgear I could swallow, albeit whilst holding my nose. But the executive shakeup in NA and the announced total technology transfer, including the Ghibli's engine, to the UAW shitshow that is the Chrysler 300. Well that's too much to ask; the closest I'm willing to get to a ghibli now is when I'll visit the dealer to get my deposit back.

Watch this video at around 5 min the CEO explains the extent of chryslers involvement etc. pretty detailed response IMO.

Also I'm not sure the deposit is refundable.

 

[emix]

Does anyone here really care what other cars are built on the Ghibli platform? Seriously that guy sounds like a really bitter person, with nothing better to do than vent on the internet, or perhaps it's a bad case of "sour grapes".

Good luck with your BMW, we don't really care about your frustrations with Maserati or Chrysler, nor did anyone ask you anything of the sort.

 

[Nova]

I didn't think the fact that there's platform sharing in the Ghibli is news to anyone.

Fiat owns both Chrysler and Maserati. Maserati used the LX platform as the basis for a new chassis design for the Quattroporte and Ghibli. It's not like Maserati picked up a phone and ordered some "300C chassis for delivery to Italy" to build the Ghibli.

I know everyone has some bad experiences from the 90's when car manufacturers took the concept of badge engineering to a level that we wish to never see again. But badge engineering is not what's going on here.

If a modernized LX platform works well to produce a high quality vehicle while saving money, I don't see any problems with that. Here's some information I found from allpar.com:

Both Charger and 300 are set to be replaced in the 2017-2020 timeframe by new cars based on the Maserati Ghibli. The Ghibli was described to us as an LX with all the Mercedes gear removed, though it is more complicated than that; the engine bay was reduced in space since there is no V8 option, and while the rear suspension seems very similar to that of the 300C, the front suspension double-wishbone design was modified from the Mercedes-style to a Maserati-style setup. The next generation large cars from Chrysler will probably use many of the Ghibli’s changes.

 

[rsm]

I didn't think the fact that there's platform sharing in the Ghibli is news to anyone

Wasn't news to me. I had read more recently about additional ghibli tech, such as the v6, that future Chrysler models may be acquiring...

Regardless I owe an apology for being over-the-top negative here towards Maserati. I have a long history with big 3 auto companies, the UAW, etc. Unpleasant stuff, which doesn't need to be aired out here or anywhere else, save perhaps a boardroom. So again apologies for the comments.

Furthermore, I've convinced myself, caveman-like brain and all, to consider the Ghibli for what it is and set aside the peripheral stuff. Maserati has built a magnificent automobile in the Ghibli, at least from my assessment. So dam' the torpedoes!...

 

[Nova]

Another positive of platform sharing is the excellent crash safety ratings that the Ghibli has managed recently. This is a core benefit of platform sharing as things like integrity of the main cabin cage and engineered crumble zones don't have to be second guessed - in fact they can be improved upon.

 

[pitchfork]

nothing wrong with platform sharing. nothing about it resembles the 300c

 

[ratti]

The only time when anyone should be worried about platform sharing is when the premium model on that platform isn't significantly different from the cheaper model, like a lot vehicles in the 90's and early 00's

 

[K-A]

LOL whoa, chill out. News Alert; the platform is also used by Mercedes for the E class and is one of the best platforms in the industry. The engine is built by Ferrari and surely that technology will trickle down throughout the Fiat companies. The navigation is from Jeep. The switchgear is from Chrysler.

Are you really just understanding this all now? Are you not aware this is common in the auto industry? How about a Bentley that uses VW parts? How about a Rolls that uses BMW parts? BMW is not NEARLY as pure as you think. In fact, the switchgear that comes from Chrysler, really comes from a independent parts manufacturer, of which, there are about 3 of them that EVERY car company uses.

With that said, if you feel BMW is the best in class then don't let anyone stop you. However, I would read the professional reviews before you do so. The new 5 series was just rated in last place in the class compared to Audi, Mercedes and Cadillac. BMW is NOT the same company building amazing cars they did 5 to 10 years ago.

Actually that Mercedes chassis you're referring to is from the mid 90's E Class and has since been moved on from by Mercedes by about 3 generations. Even the new E Class chassis isn't all that great and is highly non-dynamic so you wouldn't want a Maserati sharing it.

That "Chrysler LX" platform that derived from said 90's E Class was used on the POS previous gen 300/Chargers as well, and when I heard that the Ghibli used that platform I wrote it off as something I'd never consider looking into. After all, with an old Chrysler chassis based on an even older Mercedes chassis, and horridly cheap plastic Chrysler parts like such an important tactile thing like a switchgear (plastics/parts used in $18K Chrysler products that are still considered too cheap for their classes, never mind a $70+K Maserati), I don't care what Maser/Ferrari lipstick they put on it.... it'd still be a gussied up Chrysler.

Now that said, I happily found out recently that it's NOT the old Chrysler chassis used on the Ghibli. I personally would still have an issue with the next gen 300/Charger taking the Ghibli platform if I had/have/get a Ghibli, but apparently that isn't confirmed so I guess just hope for the best (i.e Maserati's sake") on that.

I just hope Chrysler doesn't ***** out and destroy Maserati. I don't think the brand will excel if it starts coming out that in the future they're essentially Chrysler's with Pininfarina designs and Ferrari-based engines and DRASTICALLY higher price tags.

I hope for the best in that regard because I think the Ghibli if executed right will be something the market has been desperately seeking. An exotic that is more emotion>function but still functional enough to live with day to day and that doesn't cost too much more than its more common German competitors.

 

[cfelbab]

I hope for the best in that regard because I think the Ghibli if executed right will be something the market has been desperately seeking. An exotic that is more emotion>function but still functional enough to live with day to day and that doesn't cost too much more than its more common German competitors.

Well actually if Maserati is successful with their goal to go bigger via the Ghibli I imagine at some point it will stop being "exotic". That's sort of what happened to BMW - the reason I traded by BMW for the Ghibli is that I got tired of confusing my car for all the other cars in the parking lot whenever I returned to the airport after a business trip!

 

[K-A]

Well actually if Maserati is successful with their goal to go bigger via the Ghibli I imagine at some point it will stop being "exotic". That's sort of what happened to BMW - the reason I traded by BMW for the Ghibli is that I got tired of confusing my car for all the other cars in the parking lot whenever I returned to the airport after a business trip!

I love my BMW and think that the current BMW design language in its sort of sensual yet aggressive yet understatedness is the perfect formula in terms of keeping that distinctive "premium" aura on the roads, yet making it palatable to see over and over again without getting tiresome (Mercedes on the other hand I feel is doing the opposite, making designs that tire quickly as you keep seeing them). Also I appreciate how BMW charge a premium for the M Sport Package as enthusiasts like myself can pay up for it, knowingly a high-margin option, for the sake of some differentiation on the roads.

However, I agree with you. The main reason I'm getting excited about Ghibli is for its relative uniqueness. I'm just wanting something a little different from the pack, and a little exotic-for-the-buck.

I just watched the whole unveiling video, btw, and thought it was awesome. Not only does the Ghibli back up the hype he was throwing towards it with such a stunning and athletic side profile, but I like the marketing strategy they're going with. The "anti normal". It's ballsy and something that a boutique brand like Maserati can get away with, as BMW and Mercedes and even Audi have grown so big, they can't alienate the masses anymore.