Joseph
Maserati is synonymous with two things – luxury and a race. With nearly a century of racing under its belt, the Italian automaker is using its expertise on the racetracks to enhance everything لتعزيز the cars It produces. But what sets Maserati apart from other high-end car brands is the company’s ability to blur the line between luxury and performance. Nowhere is this more evident than in Trofeo’s premium collection.
Following the launch of Maserati’s fastest and most powerful SUV, the Levante Trofeo, in 2018, the company expanded the Trofeo range in 2021 to include the Quattroporte and Ghibli, the two fastest Maserati sedans ever launched.
I got my chance behind the wheel of a Maserati Trofeo Ghibli during one of the last days of racing at Willow Springs. Located about an hour north of Los Angeles, Willow Springs is one of the most challenging road courses in the US and is the perfect testing ground for riding the sleek and fierce new Maserati.
Under the hood of the Ghibli Trofeo sits a Ferrari 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 capable of producing 580 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Maserati claims that raw power translates into a top speed of 203 mph and a 0-60 time of four seconds at a constant.
To put those stats to the test, I got on the track with the Ghibli Trofeo. The first test was going from a standstill to 60 mph while using the launch control function, which works by selecting the Corsa drive mode and then holding the brake and accelerator simultaneously to increase the rpm. As soon as I let go of the fat pedal, I throw back into my seat and feel the rear tires dancing on the edge of the traction but never turning—a sign of the car’s limited-slip rear differential.
I climbed straight into the historic front of Willow Springs, let go of the brakes and headed into the first turn—a 90-degree left lever—before I fired it onto another lane. The high-performance driving will turn you on, but the well-designed Ghibli seat kept my body firmly in place so I could focus on the track rather than wrestling with my G-forces.
With nine courses, high speeds, and significant changes in elevation, Willow Springs is one of the most technical racetracks you will find in the United States. Despite the challenges, the skilful handling of the Ghibli Trofeo made the track seem tricky to manage, even for an amateur driver like myself. But it was Willow Springs’ famous turn eight – a long, high-speed, right-hand broom – where the car really showed its potential. When switching to the stiffer race mode, the suspension engulfed the roughly 70-year-old track’s bumps, while the 21-inch wheels wrapped in the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 stayed stuck to the asphalt, even as I pushed the needle past 100 mph. The car was asking for more.
Once safely back in the pits, I had the opportunity to appreciate the subtle exterior details of the Ghibli Trofeo, including the newly redesigned grill, “boomerang” taillights, sleek carbon fiber and sporty red accents that stand out boldly against the car’s black paint.
After a lively track session, I hopped back into the Ghibli for a more relaxed 30-minute drive on a local desert highway. As Joshua’s trees and desert bushes swayed, I realized that while racing is deeply ingrained in the Maserati genes, this car is first and foremost a premium luxury sedan. With the suspension returned to normal, the Trofeo Ghibli delivered a luxuriously smooth and quiet ride.
The luxurious interior features red leather upholstery on the dashboard, heated steering wheel and seats, and old-school analog gauges that give the car timeless style. But that doesn’t mean the Ghibli Trofeo lacks technology: it comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a comprehensive infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The speakers were booming and crystal clear, while the well-placed volume knob made adjusting volume a breeze.
When I got back to Willow Springs and got out of the car for the last time, I was sold. The Ghibli Trofeo offers the best of both worlds: luxurious comfort And kick performance.
Of course, it comes with a whopping $110,240 MSRP. But for the driving experience? This is invaluable.
[Starting at $110,240; maseratiusa.com]
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