Performance Review: Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati Ghibli Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Maserati Ghibli has a 4719cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Ghibli shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Ghibli's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati Ghibli shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4719cc 16V V8 engine produces 330 bhp (246 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 290 lb-ft (393.1 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Maserati Ghibli you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (269.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati Ghibli.

The Maserati Ghibli has a Power to weight ratio of 244.4 bhp per ton and 214.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Ghibli competing with the 2013 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (269.4 bhp per ton) or the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible (269.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Maserati Ghibli generating around 214.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (239.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (239.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs). This Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ghibli and the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6

When talking about the performance of the Maserati Ghibli on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.09 secs @ 104.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6 (13.03 secs), the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC (13.04 secs), and the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (13.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 has a maximum speed of 154mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Ghibli equals the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 then how about the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph), the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (165 mph), or the 2017 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Mountune FPM375 (165 mph).

Related Links:

1966 Ghibli Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison