Maserati Tipo 115 Ghibli Part 2: Tipo 115/49 Ghibli SS
 
Four years after the first Ghibli's had rolled off Maserati's production line came a lighter, faster, even more refined example that would remain in production until the all-new mid-engined Bora was ready. Quietly introduced during late 1970, the newly titled Ghibli SS was, from the outside at least, little changed. Available in Coupe or Spyder body styles, only SS badging on the tail denoted these uprated machines although underneath there was an enlarged 4.9-litre engine. As had been the case with the 4.7, stroke was again increased (to 89mm), the extra 4mm for each cylinder resulting in a displacement of 4930cc.
   
Another tweak was made to the compression ratio, this having been upped from 8.5 to 8.75:1. The combined effect of these changes was a 5bhp gain over the 4.7, SS variants producing 335bhp at the same 5500rpm. US versions were beginning to lag someway behind though, the various emissions equipment restricting power to 315bhp. Several detail changes were made to the SS cabins meanwhile, a new steering wheel with an unsightly boss replacing the markedly more elegant version found in 4.7's. There were also supplementary instruments located above the rocker switches on the main centre console, this, the dash facia and door trim being colour co-ordinated to match the seat shade. The last SS' were made in early 1973, most having been completed as Coupe's and just a handful as Spyder's. They took total Ghibli production to 1274 (1149 Coupe's and 125 Spyder's).