Maserati unveils 5 Series challenger

Published Apr 9, 2013

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Maserati is hoping to take the luxury car market by the scruff of the neck and its key protagonist is the all-new Ghibli.

Smaller than the new Quattroporte and with a sportier character, the Ghibli will crash the prestigious midsized-executive party where it will face up to the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Its entering that fighting ring fully armed, and with the first diesel engine ever to be fitted to a Maserati - in the form of a 3-litre V6 turbodiesel.

The Italian marque will also offer the option of a 3-litre V6 engine in two states of tune and mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. What's more, customers will be able to choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

What you see here are the first official pictures of the Ghibli, released ahead of its world debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. No engine outputs or performance figures have been released at this point, but word on the street is that the flagship V6 petrol will be good for about 306kW.

The Ghibli nameplate will not be new to you if you're well versed in Maserati history - it appeared on a two-seat coupé in 1967 and then was resurrected for another two-door in 1992. The third incarnation is a very different kettle of fish.

Maserati is aiming this sedan at executive car buyers, more specifically those that want something more distinctive and elegant than the current offerings.

It will be expected to play a major role in the company's growth plans that could see it selling around 50 000 units a year.

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