Performance Review: Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 V8 - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati Ghibli Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1972. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Maserati Ghibli has a 4930cc 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 SS 4.9 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 4930cc 16V V8 engine produces 330 bhp (246 kW) @ 5500 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 354 lb-ft (479.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 262.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 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 262.2 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 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder 5.2 V10 (287.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Ferrari GTC4Lusso 6.3L V12 (287.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 V8 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (6.00 secs). This Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 V8 is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 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 1972 version of the Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 V8 has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Ghibli equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1972 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 V8 then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Ghibli Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison