Maserati Ghibli = Chrysler 300

"Yossarian" (ajmobile) 02/09/2014 at 16:35 • Filed to: None

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I'm surprised no one else has made the connection. In person it looks very similar to the 300, and that's because they're both on the same LX platform, with the Ghibli getting fancier suspension. Even its turbo V6 engines are based off of the Pentastar V6, being cast at a Chrysler plant in NA, then flown to Italy to be assembled.

http://www.allpar.com/cars/adopted/m…

Even the interior is the same, the Dashboard has the same layout, including the vents, HVAC controls, gauge cluster, and touchscreen.

Having sat in the Ghibli, it felt very familiar to me, I then realized that it was because I had rented a 300 for a month a while back. It had nicer leather sure, but all the plastics were of the same quality, and honestly you shouldn't go into a Maserati and be reminded of a Chrysler that costs $50,000 less.

The performance of the Ghibli also leaves a lot to be desired compared to the competition. A Lexus GS350 F Sport will match a base Ghibli off the line with a 45HP disadvantage. The BMW 550i, Audi S6/S7, and Mercedes E550 also beat the Ghibli Q4 in performance.

I'm sure the average Maserati owner will never sit in a 300, but for those that have the familiarities are noticeable and disappointing in a car that can be priced past $100,000.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:38

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Maser has cooler steering wheel and sex appeal. 300 is for the "Still Living like a Dope Boy Reppin Detroit" Crowd.

Dunnik > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:39

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I'm sure they're hoping nobody will notice. Their profit margin on this must be huge.

The World of Vee > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:43

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This only speaks towards the quality of the 300. It's good enough that it can be the underpinnings of the Maserati that starts at 30k more than it.

I see nothing wrong with sharing platforms so long as each car has its own distinct personality

Yossarian > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you 02/09/2014 at 16:45

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There isn't a question that the Ghibli improves on the 300, and that the 300 itself isn't a bad car. But should Maserati have built a car based on the 300 in the first place? Especially when its competition doesn't share its chassis with a car costing $50,000 less.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:47

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I don't think the average Maserati owner is going to buy a Ghibli. I think the average Maserati owner will have a Panamera, or a Aston Martin Rapide.

The Ghibli is for new buyers, downmarket. It competes with its badge and how it drives, which hopefully is worthy of the name.

Milky > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:48

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Did you even fact check what you wrote?

"The 2014 Ghibli will debut the new corporate mid-size rear wheel drive platform architecture. The architecture will eventually be used under a future Alfa Romeo E-segment car, next generation Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 as well as the next generation Maserati GranTurismo coupe."

EDIT: Hell just look at the cowl to wheel length, the proportions are quite different.

EL_ULY > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:49

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Umm, I don't see hardly anything similar on those interior pictures.

Yossarian > The World of Vee 02/09/2014 at 16:50

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The problem is interior wise, they're not that distinct. My father is in the market for a car in this price range. As soon as I showed him the similarities between the Ghibli and the 300 he immediately crossed it off his list. People that buy cars in this range want the quality, but also the exclusivity of having a car that doesn't share parts with a car half its cost.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:54

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Yo!

Yossarian > Milky 02/09/2014 at 16:55

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Yes I did, the only difference between the new Ghibli and the 300 is mainly the suspension and they slightly lengthened the chassis to give it a more unique look. That's it. Oh and also some aluminum body work.

Yossarian > EL_ULY 02/09/2014 at 16:55

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Two side panels on the dashboard converge in the center, drawing in the top section; it has the traditional blue-faced Maserati clock with aluminum details, conveniently placed right where the 300C’s clock would sit. An 8.4-inch Maserati Touch Control display (reportedly based heavily on Chrysler’s UConnect ) is in the middle, and a cluster of push buttons on the central tunnel by the gear lever control driver-oriented settings. Astute Allpar readers may have noted that the locations for ducts and controls in the 300C are similar, right down to gauge placement; most likely, Maserati preserved as much of the 300 dashboard as possible to save on tooling and design costs.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 16:56

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Interesting. Have you got any corroborating evidence? Just having the vents in the same place in the interior, and '[a clock] conveniently placed right where the 300C’s clock would sit' doesn't sound particularly firm.

' The engine was developed by Maserati, reportedly from the Pentastar V6 (but now unrecognizeable as such)' doesn't strike me as solid evidence either.

It could well be true though. The question does spring to mind as to where Maserati got a midsize saloon platform from.

Personally I have no real issue with it. If it works, then I'm perfectly fine with it, and there's a lot more development that goes into making a car than the base platform it uses.

From what I can see it's got comparable performance to the F10. 535i 306bhp and 6.0s 0-62 vs 325bhp and 5.6s. 550i 407bhp and 5.0s 0-62 vs 405bhp and 5.0s.

Yossarian > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/09/2014 at 16:59

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The link I provided explains how Maserati modified the LX platform to its needs. It's not speculation, it's fact. Both it and the Quattroporte use a modified LX platform.

Milky > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:02

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Yea I'm calling BS …. they say Maserati lengthened the front end to give it a longer nose. But its 5 inches shorter and has a 2 inch shorter wheelbase.

Saying a car is based off another car, when in fact it is debuting the next generation chassis for said car seems like a flat out lie to me.

Sure they may have based the gen chassis design on LX chassis, so things like the HVAC and shifter are in the same place. But that doesn't mean the Ghibli is just a new body on a 300 chassis.

Yossarian > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 02/09/2014 at 17:02

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The "downmarket" buyers don't want a car that reminds them of a rental 300 when they sit inside.

The World of Vee > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:03

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But have you sat in the Ghibili yet? I bought my pops a Panamera last year, but if I could do it again I'd get this ghibili. It may looks similar, but that's not a bad thing. the 300C (the highest model) is already exceptionally appointed on the inside and the Ghibili takes it that much further

Yossarian > Milky 02/09/2014 at 17:04

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They didn't just base the shifter and HVAC in the same area, the entire dashboard is basically the same with some stylistic touches.

heliochrome85 > Milky 02/09/2014 at 17:05

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im kinda lost as to where the HVAC and shifter is supposed to be?

Yossarian > The World of Vee 02/09/2014 at 17:06

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If you read my post you'd seen that I have. I'd take the Panamera over the Ghibli every time.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:07

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What is exactly wrong with the 300? Or Maserati? I'm probably going to get flamed, but I like the new 300. I have driven a 300S and I loved it! If Maserati and Chrysler are making two-out-of-one car, I don't see too much of an issue. I think the Ghibli will be a great car!

The World of Vee > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:10

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ah read it but the tone sounded generalized not personal. to each their own

Milky > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:11

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It looks like they have nothing but hard points in common. Thats more than "stylistic touches".

Not to mention you have yet to address how "… they slightly lengthened the chassis …. " but made the car's wheelbase and overall length shorter.

EL_ULY > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:11

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Location is one thing, but the individual parts are completely different, almost all of them, besides the nav screen

Milky > heliochrome85 02/09/2014 at 17:12

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I'm kind of lost on what you mean? They're not supposed to be anywhere, I was just stating that the location for pieces does not equal the same chassis.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:13

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It doesn't provide any evidence to back that up. It simply states that some bloke called JackRatchett suspects that they've lengthened the 300C platform. Even the suggestion that the new V6 is based on the Pentastar is just that, a suggestion. The article says it's 'reportedly' based on the Pentastar.

To be honest, I actually think you may well be right. The Pentastar V6 is a good base engine for them to modify. The same goes for the chassis.

That doesn't make the Ghibli anything like the 300C though. Chassis modified enough to justify calling it a different platform, engine modified beyond recognition*.

It's similar to the E12 and E28 BMWs. The E28 was originally going to be just a mildly updated E12, but the modifications were so comprehensive they gave it its own separate chassis designation.

*saying that, Maserati's been criticised in the past for using a couple of parts-bin bits from Fiats for window switches and the like. Life's tough when you sell a very small number of cars

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:14

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The interior isn't that close though. The steering wheel is different, the radio is different, the doors are different, the center console is different. All the big parts and touch parts are improved. The layout is similar, sure, but that's what you get when you're working in the same company. I don't think it will be a problem.

Most buyers will just want the badge anyway. A Maserati is way cooler than a BMW in the parking lot wars.

Yossarian > Milky 02/09/2014 at 17:17

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My mistake, they didn't lengthen the chassis. I read the allpar info wrong. But they did modify the existing LX platform for use with the Ghibli. Even the Ghibli owners forum admits this.

The Compromiser > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:18

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The platform is new gen but they are using a lot of LX platform parts. I used to work for a company that was supplying them. The argument was who was putting the maserati logo'd parts on over or instead of the Chrysler Doge parts.

cbell04 > heliochrome85 02/09/2014 at 17:19

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:)

heliochrome85 > Milky 02/09/2014 at 17:24

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no i agree. Im just saying that the premise that they are copies because of how the dash is layed it is kinda stupid. HVAC is traditionally set up exactly how the Maser is set up. A console shifter, is also not uncommon. there does seem to be a bit of trim carry over, which is something that BMW/Merc do not do.

dogisbadob > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:24

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I've referred to it as a Charger a few times :p

heliochrome85 > cbell04 02/09/2014 at 17:25

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hey honey, could you help put the car in park?

Milky > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 17:26

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Nah you read it right … I just wouldn't trust a biased mopar site for my sole info on the car. (this from a mopar fan)

"I'm thinking that they lengthened the front rails or moved the front suspension forward, giving the front end a longer look. This would also explain why they can say it’s a different platform than 300C"

Hell even CarAndDriver said "The new designed-in-house revival is for all intents a junior Quattroporte four-door sedan. The general front-engine, rear-drive layout, key parts of the unitized body and chassis, and the front doors are shared between the two Maser sedans."

Not to mention Allpar's heading for that article says "LX- derived ". IMO saying "modify" puts some stink on it that it doesn't deserve. If its the next generation chassis for all of the cars mentioned … just say that.

EDIT: Sorry this is getting long but just noticed how you didn't even say modified originally. "that's because they're both on the same LX platform" … yea that was misleading.

Milky > heliochrome85 02/09/2014 at 17:29

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Okay then we're on the same page …. and personally window switched are not a big enough deal to bother me.

heliochrome85 > Milky 02/09/2014 at 17:35

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the switches on the 300 are mercedes sourced. A carry over from the previous gen. So they arent bad. My point is though that BMW, Merc and Lexus do one thing that Hyundai, Kia, and apparently Maser do not. They generally do not share parts in their high end cars with lower end models. If the occasional switch is found, it is usually of the higher end model's build quality. My 3 has window switches similar to those found in the 5/7, but they do not feel bad. however, looking at Hyundai and Kia, their equus and k900 models share the same ugly buttons as their base sonata/rio/forte

PS9 > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 18:04

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Where are you getting 'Past $100k'? It starts at$65k with the S Model at $75k. This is not too far from the 300 itself, which itself can go for $45k-$50k for SRT8 and Vavratos models. It's also simply not the case that this car is just a 300 reskin.

Lexus GS350 F Sport will match a base Ghibli off the line with a 45HP disadvantage. The BMW 550i, Audi S6/S7, and Mercedes E550 also beat the Ghibli Q4 in performance.

Lots of problems with these comparisons. By Lexus' own numbers , the 350 is down 20 HP and will be nearly one whole second slower to 60. The BMW will be faster, but also option-for-option more expensive. The S6 is slighty more powerful, but also slightly heavier, and fully loaded will break the $90k barrier. The E550 4Matic is a wash; exactly the same power out put, drivetrain setup and curb weight. I'm not convinced it would simply walk away from a Q4 given all that.

If technology sharing among 'rubbish' to 'luxury' marquees disturbs you, then don't look to close because it happens all the time. The A3 and Golf have been platform sharing since the beginning of time. Every CTS-V so far and perhaps for the forseeable future has been powered by the same engine that powers work trucks. The ES350 is basically a slightly nicer Avalon, and that's just the stuff we know about. BMW and Merc have the benefit of not being sub-brands of a huge global automotive conglomerate. If they were, and you still think their technology would remain in the high end and not be shared among lower brands, you are kidding no one. A single car is a multi-billion dollar business proposition, so it makes sense to spread the costs across a few decades and between brands (if you have them).

duurtlang > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 18:19

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The Ghibli starts at 66.9k in the US. The 300 at $30.5k. That's a huge difference, but it's hardly $50k.

The Little Engine That Couldnt > Yossarian 02/09/2014 at 19:09

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Did you know the Audi A6 Premium and the Audi RS7 share virtually every single thing? What is even the point of spending $115,000 on a car when you could have almost the same car for $44,000? You even get the same badge!

Milky > heliochrome85 02/09/2014 at 19:15

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Ahh I see now … but yea that k900, not a big fan of it for 60k. But that is a whole other topic.

Christopher Duperre > Milky 01/03/2015 at 18:44

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These two cars are further apart than this ridiculous tantrum of a write up leads people to believe. Also, Ferrari does all the machine work on the block including Ferrari cylinder heads. Not to mention the German 8-speed ZF 8HP transmission. The Ghibli offers a completely different feel and experience. It's clear Mr. Yossarian hasn't actually tested both cars beyond looking at them. It's a shame too.

Hugo Drax > Yossarian 02/16/2015 at 09:20

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Actually downmarket drivers are just buying the car for the Badge so they can impress the neighbors who would not know any better. They are marketing the car to the "Badge Whores" where the BMW and Mercedes has lost some of its appeal to them when they see college kids and the gardener driving them around.

eu-ro-peon > Christopher Duperre 03/22/2015 at 12:09

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TIL Ferrari machines Maserati's engine blocks at Chrysler's foundry in Kokomo, Indiana.

eu-ro-peon > Christopher Duperre 03/22/2015 at 12:11

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TIL Ferrari machines Maserati's engine blocks at Chrysler's foundry in Kokomo, Indiana.

eu-ro-peon > Christopher Duperre 03/22/2015 at 12:11

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TIL Ferrari machines Maserati's engine blocks at Chrysler's foundry in Kokomo, Indiana.

eu-ro-peon > Christopher Duperre 03/22/2015 at 12:17

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Chrysler's Kokomo plant is actually a secret Ferrari plant where they machine engine blocks for Maseratis? Things you learn on the Internet...

Shiftright > Yossarian 05/05/2015 at 20:26

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The 300C’s platform was from a previous gen E-Class Mercedes which was premium sedan that cost about the same as the Ghibli in today’s dollars

Hot Takes Salesman > Yossarian 04/15/2016 at 07:10

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That’s really lazy on Maserati’s part

RacinBob > Yossarian 03/26/2019 at 18:53

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Hey, if the engine is based off of a pentstar V6, all the better! The concern of those Ferrari based engines is serious maintenance and parts cost all combined with marginal durability. As long as it puts a smile on my face, and lasts 100,000 miles, that’s my criteria. I think I would take it over a comparable Alfa.....

What transmission does it use?