The all-new Ghibli marks a turning point in Maserati’s history.

Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show and arriving just months after the new Quattroporte, the Ghibli will give Maserati two concurrent four-door sedan models for the first time in its history.

The Ghibli is smaller, shorter, lighter, more dynamic, less expensive and more economical than the flagship Quattroporte and provides a cornerstone in Maserati’s plans to build 50,000 cars a year by 2015.

Its petrol range provides high performance from both of the power outputs from the twin turbocharged, 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and it also offers customers the choice of rear or all-wheel drive in an E-segment luxury sports sedan. The Ghibli has a more-focused, sportier philosophy than the larger Quattroporte and its most powerful model, the Ghibli S, has 410 bhp of power, races to 100km/h in five seconds and stretches out to a top speed of 284km/h. The Ghibli is also the first Maserati in history to be powered by a diesel engine, with a turbo diesel V6 producing all the sound, refinement and driving pleasure typical of Maserati while delivering fuel consumption below six litres per 100 km on the NEDC formula. The Ghibli diesel will also become the first Maserati with Start-Stop technology.

Looks wise, the outline of the body reflects a coupe-like philosophy for the four-door sedan while maintaining discernible visual links with the Quattroporte. Strong feline hints characterise the Ghibli’s grille and headlights, with the grille taking inspiration from the current GranTurismo as well as drawing influence from the classic 1950s A6 GCS. The car also maintains Maserati’s distinctive C-pillar treatment, which delivers much of the coupe-esque stance and carries the classical Saetta Maserati logo, carrying on a tradition dating back to 1963. In terms of functionality, the Ghibli shares much of its core architecture, including its crash safety, chassis, suspension architecture, engine and LED headlight technology with the larger Quattroporte, but is 50 kg lighter, 173 mm shorter in the wheel base and 291 mm shorter overall.

As for the interior, the Ghibli sets itself apart from the Quattroporte with a unique dashboard design that perfectly matches its sportier and more youthful character without losing any of the luxury expected from Maserati. The Ghibli also delivers a sporty design combined with all the spaciousness expected in an executive sedan from Maserati. Also setting the Ghibli apart from the rest of its competition in the E-segment includes luxury features like the Maserati Touch Control screen, adjustable pedals, reversing camera, Poltrona Frau leather interior and the 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkes audio system.

The Ghibli, the Ghibli S, the Ghibli S Q4 and the Ghibli Diesel all utilise an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver their performance, providing seamless comfort with fast gear shifting for hard acceleration.