The current Maserati Ghibli was introduced in 2013, reviving a nameplate that was produced between 1967 and 1998. Unlike its predecessors, which were offered as two-door coupes and convertibles only, the new Ghibli is a four-door sedan. Sharing underpinnings with the larger Quattroporte and the recently launched Levante SUV, the Ghibli is the first Maserati to use a diesel engine. The oil burner is offered alongside two versions of the twin-turbo, 3.0-liter, V-6 gas-drinker that was co-developed with Ferrari. At the New York Auto Show, the Italian firm launched the Ghibli Nerissimo, a limited-edition model with bespoke features inside and out.

The name Nerissimo is based on the Italian expression for “extremely black," and there's a good reason why Maserati selected it for this car. Although it's identical to the standard model as far as design goes, the Nerissimo is an all-black take on the midsize sedan. It's essentially Maserati's very own version of the Chevrolet Midnight Edition, but in a more elegant package and with a more expensive sticker. The Nerissimo Edition is limited to only 450 units, which explains the rather hefty premium you have to pay for an appearance package.

On the other hand, the Ghibli is quite gorgeous in this black suit and adds a bit of style to an otherwise aggressive-looking sedan.

Continue reading to learn more about the Maserati Ghibli Nerissimo Edition.

2017 Maserati Ghibli Nerissimo Edition

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  • Model: 2017 Maserati Ghibli Nerissimo Edition
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What makes the Maserati Ghibli Nerissimo Edition special

Styling-wise, the Ghibli Nerissimo is the kind of car that Batman and Lord Vader would drive, in the sense that its exterior is almost 100 percent black. Not only is the body finished in a deep, gloss black, but the door handles, the window trim, and the front grilles are also finished in this dark color. Even the 20-inch Urano wheels are gloss black, which basically leaves only the headlamps, taillights, and badges as the only elements that add a touch of color to the exterior. Oh, and the brake calipers are red, which is actually nice because it provides a striking contrast with the black wheels.

The black theme continues inside the cabin, but the Nerissimo is more than just a Ghibli with a really dark interior. For starters, it features extra leather compared to the regular model, and the black upholstery and Dark Mirror trim are highlighted by the red stitching and the red gear-shift paddles behind the steering wheel. The sedan is also equipped with a pair of sports seats and a sports steering wheel, as well as INOX sport pedals. It's definitely not as sober as the name and exterior suggests. Finally, each car has a custom badge on the center console highlighting the fact that it is one of only 450 units produced.

Maserati also added blind spot assist, front and rear parking sensors, and remote start as standard, while the Ghibli S and S Q4 versions of this special edition come with Harman Kardon audio systems.

The Nerissimo is available in Ghibli, Ghibli S and S Q4, meaning there are two engines to choose from. The base model uses the Ferrari-designed 3.0-liter V-6 with 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, while the S version gets the 404-horsepower, 406-pound-feet variant of the same unit. The Ghibli S Q4 gets its juice from the more powerful version, but the oomph is sent to all four wheels thanks to an all-wheel-drive system. Naturally, the latter is the quickest, needing 4.8 seconds to hit 62 mph. The Ghibli S gets there in five seconds flat, while the base model is significantly slower at 5.6 seconds. The Ghibli is also available with a diesel engine, but you can't have it with the Nerissimo package.

Pricing for the limited-edition sedan starts from $77,250, which accounts for a $5,650 premium over the base model. The S model retails from $84,000, while the Ghibli S Q4 is available from $86,500, $6,800 more than the standard version. Given the popularity black sedans enjoy nowadays, the Nerissimo will probably be sold out within a few months.