Maserati has taken the covers off of the Ghibli Hybrid, the Italian brand's first electrified vehicle.

The Maserati Ghibli is a stylish and compact sports sedan and while it's been some time since we last sampled a product from the Italian Trident brand, Maserati is about to start a huge product offensive. There's a new supercar in the works which will grab the most attention, but we're particularly interested in what has just been revealed. This is the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid, which is Maserati's first foray into electrification.

Maserati says its goal is to enhance performance while saving fuel and it will be 'faster than diesel, greener than gasoline.' It will be assembled in Italy at the Torino Production Hub, with the first units scheduled to reach showrooms in October 2020.

Being Maserati's first electrified vehicle, we're interested in that powertrain. Assembled on a tweaked version of the Ghibli V6, the Ghibli Hybrid version features a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 48-volt hybrid system. Total outputs are rated at 246 kW and 450 Nm.Maserati claims the new Ghibli Hybrid is good for 0-100 kph in 5.7 seconds and it will run to a top speed of 255 kph. What's more,the car is said to even sound like a sporty Maserati without resorting to amplifiers as the exhaust has been tuned to deliver that distinctive sound. Power goes to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The 48-volt hybrid system features 4 components: the Belt Starter Generator (BSG), battery, eBooster and DC/DC converter. The BSG captures energy during braking and deceleration, which then charges the battery located in the boot. This then powers the eBooster works with the turbo to 'sustain the engine's power at low rpm." In its sportiest of drive modes, the eBooster gives the car an extra boost.

In terms of emissions, Maserati is claiming a fuel saving of 20% in comparison to the V6 petrol model. As far as economy claims go,8.5-9.6 L/100 km on the WLTP cycle is what Maserati says.

You can tell the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid apart as it will have blue detailing such on the Brembo brakes and the air ducts. The Maserati logo located on the rear pillar gains a thunderbolt.

Inside, the Ghibli Hybrid gains the MY21 update which includes the new-genMaserati Intelligent Assistant infotainment system, which is built on Android Automotive architecture and in terms of safety, the vehicle features Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such asHighway Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.

Further Reading

Maserati teases its new MC20

Maserati Ghibli S (2016) Review

Maserati Levante: Now with V8 Biturbo Power

Maserati Levante S (2018) Launch Review