Maserati
has released the first official images of its upcoming
four-door sports executive sedan, the Ghibli, in advance
of its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this
month.
The new Ghibli is set
to break new ground for Maserati, launching the
Trident brand into a new market segment.
The Ghibli aims to have a sportier character
compared to the larger Quattroporte, launched at the
beginning of this year; both cars overlap as they
are reworked versions of Chrysler's 300 series
platform. The Ghibli will be available with two
turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engines, an eight-speed
automatic transmission and both rear-wheel drive and
Chrysler's AWD system which is being renamed “Q4”
for this application.
The Ghibli will also become the first Maserati
production car in history to be powered by a diesel
engine as it will be offered with the VM Motori
3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel which is already available
to this platform as it features in the powerplant
line-up of Lancia's own Chrysler 300 spin-off
version, the new Thema.
It is Maserati’s first sedan to be positioned in the
top end of E-segment, and, according to the press
release to accompany the preview images, that
decision "reflects the company’s belief that a
growing number of premium executive car buyers are
looking to make an individual statement through a
car that is distinctive, elegant and luxurious.
Maserati also hopes that the Ghibli will "play a
significant role" in its ambitious "growth plan to
sell 50,000 cars per year."