Just to share my experiences as an owner of a MY16 Diesel Ghibli.
For my purposes, which means driving in the UK on typical roads with typical traffic, being able to accelerate to sixty half a second quicker or having a noisier exhaust (in sport mode in particular the diesel exhaust still sounds pretty good) was not worth spending several thousand pounds more for the petrol engine. Whilst there is a question mark over servicing costs, RFL is of course cheaper as is fuel costs, and like all new cars sold from September the Ghibli Diesel is Euro 6 compliant.
In terms of performance dynamics and technology the simple fact is, the likes of BMW and now Jaguar better the Maserati.
However buying a Maserati isn't for those reasons. Rather like Jaguars previous model ranges, they come close to competing with their rivals, but easily beat them for looks feel and ambience. When I look at, and sit in my Ghibli I feel like its a car from several grades higher, more like a Bentley! Indeed the name 'Maserati' has become almost as exotic as many more expensive marques.
My budget would have allowed me to get the petrol or even a basic 'S' model, but I doubt given todays traffic and general congestion, the opportunity to use the extra performance would I doubt, present itself, and even if it did it probably wouldn't be safe sensible or even legal! Simply in realistic day to day driving the diesel drives much the same as the petrol. My money went on areas that I use the most, the cabin and features. This makes a car that cost me around £63k after discount feel like a car that cost double that.
For many traditional enthusiasts the idea of a diesel engine in a Maserati will be simply wrong no matter what, and maybe I am a little boring with my analysis of the life of todays motorists, but like everything its always a question of personal priorities, and the most powerful engine isn't at the top of my list.
Regards
Keith
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