2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid prices and specifications: Electrified sedan will compete with Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series hybrids

The new Maserati Ghibli Hybrid has landed in Australia starting at $139,990 plus travel expenses.

Maserati has opened order books for its world's first electrified model, the large Ghibli Hybrid sedan, which should compete with similar German offerings at $139,990 plus travel expenses.

This price puts the Ghibli Hybrid in competition with rivals such as the BMW 530e, which now retails for as low as $122,900, as well as the current Mercedes-Benz E300e, which is available for as low as $121,400.

The Ghibli Hybrid will also hit showrooms in more expensive GranLusso and GranSport variants, each available to order starting at $163,990.

The new Ghibli Hybrid can be recognized by restyled taillights and blue accents throughout.

The Ghibli Hybrid costs $139,990 and is on par with the current petrol Ghibli, however it is less powerful than its standard V6 sibling.

Motivating the Ghibli Hybrid is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that together deliver 246kW and 450Nm of power with a claimed zero-to-100km time of 5.7 seconds.

Meanwhile, the standard Ghibli is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 257kW and 500Nm, making it 0.2km/h 100 seconds faster.

Either way, the Maserati Ghibli sends power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The latest Maserati Intelligent Assistant software is displayed on the 10.1-inch multimedia system.

Maserati says its Ghibli Hybrid is first in line as it hopes to electrify its entire lineup, but reiterates that its performance and exhaust sound are in line with customer expectations.

The mild hybrid system includes a battery-operated electric e-Booster supercharger and exhaust is optimized with "specially designed" resonators.

The hallmark of the hybrid is a new front grille and redesigned taillights, as well as blue accents on the side air vents, brake calipers and badges.

Inside, the big sedan features an updated digital instrument cluster, as well as a new 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia display.

The 2021 Ghibli hybrid joins the larger Quattroporte sedan and Levante SUV in Maserati's permanent lineup, while McLaren's rival MC20 supercar is due to arrive in Australia later this year, starting at $438,000.