2018 Maserati Ghibli GranLusso, GranSport Debut In The Metal

After making its online appearance last week, the lightly updated 2018 Maserati Ghibli has now made its public debut on the occasion of the 2017 Chengdu Motor Show in China. Displayed in the GranLusso and GranSport trim levels, the performance luxury sedan has gained a series of subtle tweaks inside and out to keep it fresh and competitive after being on the market for approximately four years.

Depending on trim, the Italian four-door model has gone through some exterior updates bringing minor changes to front and rear bumpers, which have both been modified not just for the sake of gaining a new look, but also to improve aerodynamics. Regardless of the one you want, both versions can be had with all of the four engines and are going to share the full-LED adaptive headlights equipped with a matrix high-beam function.

Gone is the hydraulic steering system as instead Maserati has decided to go with an electric setup and that has paved the way for the integration of new safety and assistance systems. These include technologies like active blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, and highway assist. You can have all of them, plus traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control, by opting for the Driver Assistance package.

Also new for the 2018 model year is the Integrated Vehicle Control, which takes the shape of a function of the electronic stability program (ESP) to make the ride experience more exciting.

The engineers have also fiddled with the biturbo 3.0-liter V6 Ferrari engine built in Maranello by extracting an additional 20 horsepower and 22 pound-feet (30 Newton-meters) of torque. Available for the Ghibli S and the all-wheel-drive Ghibli S Q4, the engine now churns 430 hp and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm). As a result of the added muscle, the 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) sprint now takes a tenth of a second less in the case of the AWD model, which will complete the task in 4.7 seconds. Regardless of the type of traction you prefer, both will come with an increased top speed rated at 178 mph (286 kph).

You'll be able to see the revised Maserati Ghibli in both GranLusso and GranSport until September 3 when the auto show organized in western China will close its doors.