Maserati Ghibli: baby Quattroporte spied ahead of Shanghai reveal

Based on a shortened Maserati Quattroporte platform, the new Maserati Ghibli sedan is intended to help the Italian manufacturer tackle the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and BMW 5-series.

The Ghibli, which was spied winter testing at the end of 2012, will offer owners a luxury alternative with the choice of turbocharged V6 powerplants as well as a V8 engine from the bigger Quattroporte.

Maserati confirmed the third-time use of the Ghibli name at the 2012 Paris motor show, alongside the naming of the Maserati Levante, the production version of the Maserati Kubang concept, due in late 2014/early 2015 following the start of its Turin production in 2014.

Click on the Photos tab for more images.