Maserati Ghibli prices

The new Maserati Ghibli - an exotic rival to the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and Audi A6 - will start from £48,830 for the 271bhp 3.0 V6 diesel version. That's £4,780 more than the 258bhp BMW 530d M Sport Auto. 

Moving up the range the petrol-engined Ghibli, powered by a 325bhp version of the 3.0 V6 twin-turbo petrol engine, will start from £52,275, while the range-topping Ghibli S (which uses a 404bhp version of the same V6) starts from £63,415.

Unsurprisingly, the Ghibli diesel is the most economical with fuel economy of 47.9mpg and emissions of 158g/km, but still sprints from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds. The 325bhp Ghibli covers the 0-62mph sprint in 5.6 seconds and returns 29.4mpg and 223g/km, while the Ghibli S takes 4.8 seconds from 0-62mph, returns 26.9mpg and emits 246g/km. 

Standard equipment on all models includes 18-inch alloys, quad exhausts and bi-xenon headlamps with LED running lights, while the interior gets electric leather seats, wood-trim and an eight-speaker stereo system. The diesel model benefits from stop-start, while all three variants get a mechanical limited slip differential and climate control with 13 vents.

Although well-specced as standard, there are a huge number of options available. These include up to 21-inch wheels (£3,670), Skyhook adjustable dampers (£2,045) and a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system (£3,360). More affordable extras include metallic paint (£660), aluminium shift paddles (£245) and a space-saver spare wheel (£295).