Ahead of its international debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month, Maserati has released the first official images of its upcoming four-door sports executive saloon.

The Ghibli will compete in a segment that has never been contested by Maserati and mirrors the company’s belief that more and more premium executive-car buyers are looking to make more individual statements with cars that are distinctive, elegant and luxurious.

It will have a sportier character than the Quattroporte - the new version of which was launched at the beginning of the year - and will be available with two turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engines, one of these being a diesel motor, the first Maserati production car ever to be powered by an oil burner.

These two models will also feature an eight-speed automatic transmission as well as both a rear-wheel-drive and the new “Q4” all-wheel-drive system.

The Ghibli will prove integral in Maserati’s growth plan to shift 50 000 cars per year worldwide.