Maserati Ghibli Trofeo | Test Drive

10 September 2022 Redazione News, Stories, Tested

Dressed in white it elevates even more the carbon fiber details, clues that seem telling you that this is not a normal Ghibli. Giving life to its 580 horsepower V8 would dispel any other possible doubts.

Words Marco Mancino / Photos Gian Romero

Introduced shortly after the Hybrid variant, the Trofeo is the Ghibli that arouses a leap in the heart of those who do not choose Maserati only for the elegance offered by the Modena’s trident. While still remaining a medium-sized sedan, embracing the first V8 declined on this specific model allows us to find ourselves in front of the ultimate vision of a car that maintains its skills of luxurious four-door that accentuates the desire to make the walls of the Col du Mont Cenis tremble thanks to an engine that represents an authentic national pride, heritage of a way of intending a kind of driving that in recent years seems to slip like sand through the fingers.

Dressed in white it elevates even more the carbon fiber details, clues that seem telling you that this is not a normal Ghibli. The Trofeo Collection, also available for the Levante SUV and for the big sister Quattroporte, embodies the racing spirit of the Modena brand, equipping what is in all respects the most contained model both in terms of size and weight. This brings us to a logical conclusion: the Ghibli Trofeo is the fastest Maserati on the list. Yes, even faster than the MC20 – albeit of only one kilometer per hour – and although these are two different concepts and certainly not comparable in terms of driving dynamics, it is a further alarm that warns that in the curves ahead we will have something to be happy for.

Let’s start with the absolute protagonist: the engine. The twin-turbo V8 is what we met when we drove the Levante Trofeo, a jewel with a 90° angle developed in collaboration with Ferrari technicians, packaging advanced pistons and connecting rods, two turbos that work simultaneously and a rev limiter placed at a 7,200. It is a hyper-performance engine, but at the same time it seems able to bring with it a pinch of flavor of the golden years of automobile, in which turbocharged also meant a delay in torque delivery, a peak that starts at about 2,250 rpm. From that moment on, from that imperceptible threshold reached in a fraction of a second, the thrust of the V8 becomes incredibly vigorous and constant, spitting all of the 730 Nm to the ground and reaching a maximum power of 580 horsesr as soon as the needle of the rev counter touches 6,750.

In addition to Sport mode, setting Corsa – introduced with the Trofeo Collection – means emphasizing every little feedback given to the driver. Starting with more responsive and precise steering, a softer traction control intervention and lightning-fast shifting that doesn’t hide its violence, letting you feel every gear change with a kick in your back that catapults you to the next corner. It is the wildest nature of the Ghibli, the elegant sedan that under some more marked ribs, two clearly visible air intakes on the front hood and a small spoiler located on the trunk, unleashes an uproar managed as best as possible through the rear-wheel drive only. If the moment before it seemed to be behind the wheel of a standard Ghibli, enjoying the comfort and luxury offered by an interior covered in leather (and in this case also carbon fiber) and perfected with a latest generation infotainment system, the huge paddles and the spotless seating position take on a diametrically opposite meaning, showing the wildest nature of the little one of the company.

The gearbox is a ZF 8-speed automatic, an ideal torque converter for everyday coexistence, capable of managing fuel consumption that becomes exhilarating once you attack a mountain road constantly biting the red line. There is a limited slip differential at the rear, which is not only essential in order to make the exaggerated power available really exploitable, but one of the aspects that make the Ghibli Trofeo fun to drive despite its almost 2 tons of weight. Do not think about throwing yourself from one bend to another with Scandinavian flicks, it is not a car designed for this purpose, but if you intend to devour a road in the shortest possible time, know that you can do it even if comfortably pampered by its soft leather armchairs.

The first sensation that pervades you by pushing the V8 is obviously the ferocity with which the two turbos gulp down air and unleash horses on the rear wheels. Even in Corsa mode, the Ghibli Trofeo does not become a car devoted to absolute performance. In fact, it continues to balance comfort and stiffness almost dampened by the need to stay more towards the more luxurious and refined side of the coin and this is also noticeable due to a braking system without carbon-ceramic discs, which would undoubtedly have played in favor of a more frenetic pace, especially taking into account the weight that you carry around. The Ghibli Trofeo has a very personal character and although it allows precise cornering and offers considerable grip, it betrays a hint of body roll when you decide to go hard on the throttle. After all, that’s part of the game, since you don’t intend to give up five seats, a large trunk and a lot of on-board technology.

The Col du Mont Cenis stands out around the clear waters of the lake of the same name, offering the perfect backdrop to unleash the horses of the Trofeo. 4.3 seconds to shoot from 0 to 100 kph, 12.9 to reach 200 and a maximum speed recorded at 326 per hour: figures that make your pupils come out of the skull. Bu then again, you wouldn’t need a stopwatch to understand how fast this car is, it is easy to realize the speed with which the Ghibli moves on any road. Unlike high-performance sedans more or less suitable for a comparison, Maserati maintains a character closer to the other variants of its family, certainly going to attract performance of an authentic sports car, but without losing sight of the fact that it is aimed at customers who do not intends to arrive at their destination with a sore back, only for having pressed the gas harder than usual.

The Alps are undoubtedly its ideal playground, obviously together with those long motorway journeys that raise the comfort level, perfect assemblies and first-rate materials. Of course it would not disdain a race track, after all we are still talking about 580 horses and an overflowing torque, but it has not been designed to race against tenths of a second, but rather to thrill. After days of driving it – and adding petrol – rest assured that I can confirm that it knows how to get a tear down your face. It does it when you make the V8 scream, it does it when you look at it in its pure white dress and it does it when you open the door and are greeted by the most comfortable and fastest living room that can come to your mind. The mountains echo and scream the name of the Trofeo and I hold the steering wheel and experience an emotion that could be running out of time between hybrids and electrification. Let me enjoy it, before it’s too late.