Quattroporte

Make
Maserati
Segment
Sedan

While Porsche may be a relative newcomer to the four-door market, Maserati has been making them for decades. But though the Panamera has been made available with a variety of powertrains, the Quattroporte has only ever been available with a V8. But that comes to an end this weekend in Shanghai where Maserati has revealed not one, but two new sedans powered by V6 engines. Most important, of course, is the new Ghibli, which Maserati previewed just a couple of weeks ago.

Smaller and sportier than the Quattroporte, the new Ghibli forms the shorter of a two-pronged, four-door assault on German luxury sedans, taking on the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6, while the larger QP takes on the 7 Series, S-Class and A8. Now revealed in all its glory at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Ghibli revives a classic nameplate for Maserati. That much we already knew, but now the Trident marque has revealed the full technical details. The Ghibli will be powered exclusively by V6 engines in a range developed by former Ferrari racing engine chief Paolo Martinelli.

The base version of the gasoline-burning 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 sends 330 horsepower to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission to reach 62 in a solid 5.6 seconds. A more powerful version of the same engine will be offered in the Ghibli S with 410 horsepower for a 5.0-second 0-62 time. The Ghibli is also the first Maserati offered with a diesel engine, similarly turbocharged and displacing 3.0 liters, but producing 275 horsepower to run to 62 in 6.3 seconds. Torque progresses for each model, with the base V6 twisting 500 Nm (369 lb-ft), the S V6 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) and the diesel 600 Nm (442 lb-ft).

While only the 410-horsepower version of the gasoline V6 was introduced in the new Quattroporte to join the more powerful V8, Maserati also announced the availability of the 330hp version for the Chinese market. Despite the larger form, Maserati still quotes the 330hp QP for a 0-62 time of 5.6 seconds – the same as the smaller Ghibli. Both the Ghibli and Quattroporte are also being offered with Maserati's new Q4 all-wheel drive system (but apparently only on the 410hp V6, and only in left-hand steer) that can transfer up to 50% of traction to the front wheels as needed.