Maserati Biturbo
Encyclopedia
The Maserati Biturbo is a sports car
introduced by Maserati
in 1981. The Biturbo is a two-door, four-seater notchback
coupé
(of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW 3 Series of the time) featuring, as the name implies, a two-litre V6 engine
with two turbocharger
s and a luxurious interior.
The car was designed by Pierangelo Andreani, an engineer from the De Tomaso team, somewhat influenced by the design of the newer Quattroporte III (Italdesign Giugiaro
), as can be observed on the front fascia.
Export versions came initially with a 2.5L V6, after 1989 it was enlarged to 2.8 Litres, while for Italy a two-litre high-performance version was originally produced (to avoid the 38% sales tax imposed at the time on cars displacing more than 2000 cc). The aluminum 90 degree SOHC V6 engine was roughly based on the 2.0 L Merak
engine, itself based on earlier V8 Formula One Maserati engines, designed by Giulio Alfieri
(1924–2002). The carbureted 2.5L engine produced 185 hp and 208 lbft of torque in North American spec and slightly more elsewhere. Fuel injection was fitted in 1987 raising power to 187 hp. In 1989 the 2.8L engine bumped power to 225 hp and 246 lbft of torque for North America and 250 hp for Europe.
All Maserati
models from the Biturbo's introduction in 1981 until 1997 (except the Quattroporte
) were based on the original Biturbo architecture, among them the four-door 420
/425 and 4.24v, the Spyder, the Karif
, the 228 and 2.24v, the Maserati Racing
and the later Shamal
and Ghibli II
, as well as Maserati Barchetta
which used an ultimate version of the V6 engine
.
in 1976, he had ambitious plans for the marque. His plan was to combine the prestige of the Maserati brand
with a sports car that would be more affordable than the earlier high-priced models that had traditionally made up the Maserati range. In fact, Maserati ceased making supercar
s like the ones developed under Citroën
ownership altogether, like the Bora
and Khamsin
.
The Biturbo was initially a strong seller and brought Italian prestige to a wide audience, with sales of about 40,000 units. Sales figures fell in subsequent years. De Tomaso later sold the company to Fiat
.
It is number 28 in the BBC book of "Crap Cars" and is Time Magazine's
worst car of 1984.
The Biturbo competed unsuccessfully in the British Touring Car Championship
in the late 1980s, the European Touring Car Championship
and the World Touring Car Championship
(1987).
. The last street version featured over 150 hp/liter and 140 ft·lbf (189.8 N·m)/liter torque.
A V6 1996 cc DOHC 36 valve engine was developed but never manufactured.
.
Versions:
See also:Maserati Racing
was replaced in 1994 with Maserati Quattroporte IV
.
Versions:
See also:Maserati 420
. The Spyder version has shorter wheelbase, 2.4 metres (94.5 in). On this shorter chassis the sporty hardtop Karif
was later developed.
Versions:
model, targeting the same markets as had earlier bought 3500 GT
s and Mexico
s.
The 228 was introduced at the 1986 Turin Motor Show, it uses the longer four-door chassis and the bigger 2.8 litre biturbo engine in a two door coupe form with a more luxurious interior than the usual two door cars. 469 examples of the 228 were built up until 1992.
Versions:
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
introduced by Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
in 1981. The Biturbo is a two-door, four-seater notchback
Notchback
Notchback is a styling term describing a car body style, a variation of three-box styling where the third distinct volume or "box" is less pronounced — especially where the rear deck is short or where the rear window is upright...
coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
(of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW 3 Series of the time) featuring, as the name implies, a two-litre V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
with two turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
s and a luxurious interior.
The car was designed by Pierangelo Andreani, an engineer from the De Tomaso team, somewhat influenced by the design of the newer Quattroporte III (Italdesign Giugiaro
Italdesign Giugiaro
Italdesign-Giugiaro S.p.A is an automobile design and engineering company based in Moncalieri, Italy founded in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani as Studi Italiani Realizzazione Prototipi S.p.A...
), as can be observed on the front fascia.
Export versions came initially with a 2.5L V6, after 1989 it was enlarged to 2.8 Litres, while for Italy a two-litre high-performance version was originally produced (to avoid the 38% sales tax imposed at the time on cars displacing more than 2000 cc). The aluminum 90 degree SOHC V6 engine was roughly based on the 2.0 L Merak
Maserati Merak
The Maserati Merak was an Italian sports car introduced in 1972, essentially a junior version of the Maserati Bora. It substituted an all new Maserati designed quad-cam V-6 motor for the Bora's larger V-8, resulting not only in a lower cost, but room for a small backseat and better handling due to...
engine, itself based on earlier V8 Formula One Maserati engines, designed by Giulio Alfieri
Giulio Alfieri
Giulio Alfieri was an Italian automobile engineer, affiliated with Maserati in Modena, Italy since 1953, where he was central to the development of racing and production cars in the 1950s and 1960s.Alfieri was born in Parma...
(1924–2002). The carbureted 2.5L engine produced 185 hp and 208 lbft of torque in North American spec and slightly more elsewhere. Fuel injection was fitted in 1987 raising power to 187 hp. In 1989 the 2.8L engine bumped power to 225 hp and 246 lbft of torque for North America and 250 hp for Europe.
All Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
models from the Biturbo's introduction in 1981 until 1997 (except the Quattroporte
Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is a luxury four-door saloon made by Maserati in Italy. The name translated from Italian literally means "four doors". There have been five generations of the car, each separated by a period of roughly five years....
) were based on the original Biturbo architecture, among them the four-door 420
Maserati 420
The Maserati 420 is a front engine, rear-wheel-drive luxury car produced by Maserati between 1985 and 1987. In 1986 due to the popularity of the 420, Maserati produced in limited supply, the 420S...
/425 and 4.24v, the Spyder, the Karif
Maserati Karif
The Maserati Karif is a luxury coupé produced by Maserati between 1988 and 1992. It was designed to be luxurious but also sporty and agile to allow the driver to "feel like a racing driver again or for the first time". The Karif uses the same shortened chassis as the Zagato-bodied Maserati Spyder...
, the 228 and 2.24v, the Maserati Racing
Maserati Racing
The Maserati Racing is based on a sports car introduced by Maserati in 1981, the Biturbo. The Biturbo was a two-door, four-seater notchback coupé featuring a two-litre V6 engine with two turbochargers of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW 3 series....
and the later Shamal
Maserati Shamal
The Maserati Shamal is a compact, two-door coupé introduced by Italian automaker Maserati on December 17, 1989. It is named after shamal, a hot summer wind that blows in large areas of Mesopotamia. The Shamal was designed by Marcello Gandini, who is famous for designing the Lamborghini Countach and...
and Ghibli II
Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli is a Gran Turismo car produced by Italian manufacturer Maserati in two generations: first from 1966–73, and again as the Maserati Ghibli II from 1992–97.- Ghibli I :...
, as well as Maserati Barchetta
Maserati Barchetta
The Maserati Barchetta was a mid-engined, two-door, two-seat sports car, like the 350 and 450S, that was designed by Carlo Gaino of the "Synthesis Design", an Italian design house....
which used an ultimate version of the V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
.
History
When Alessandro de Tomaso acquired MaseratiMaserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
in 1976, he had ambitious plans for the marque. His plan was to combine the prestige of the Maserati brand
Aspirational brand
In consumer marketing, an aspirational brand means a large segment of its exposure audience wishes to own it, but for economical reasons cannot...
with a sports car that would be more affordable than the earlier high-priced models that had traditionally made up the Maserati range. In fact, Maserati ceased making supercar
Supercar
Supercar is a term used most often to describe an expensive high end car. It has been defined specifically as "a very expensive, fast or powerful car"...
s like the ones developed under Citroën
Citroën SM
The Citroën SM is a high-performance coupé produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1970 to 1975. The SM placed third in the 1971 European Car of the Year contest, trailing its stablemate Citroën GS, and won the 1972 Motor Trend Car of the Year award in the U.S. in 1972.-History:In 1961,...
ownership altogether, like the Bora
Maserati Bora
The Maserati Bora is a Maserati two-seater coupe powered by a V8 engine mounted amidships. Produced from 1971 to 1978, it had a top speed of .-History:...
and Khamsin
Maserati Khamsin
The Maserati Khamsin was a sports car introduced as a Bertone prototype in 1972 at the Turin Auto Show. In 1973 it was put on display at the Paris Motor Show, where it was badged as a Maserati...
.
The Biturbo was initially a strong seller and brought Italian prestige to a wide audience, with sales of about 40,000 units. Sales figures fell in subsequent years. De Tomaso later sold the company to Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
.
It is number 28 in the BBC book of "Crap Cars" and is Time Magazine's
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
worst car of 1984.
The Biturbo competed unsuccessfully in the British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
in the late 1980s, the European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
and the World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
(1987).
Biturbo engines
The Maserati Biturbo was the first ever production biturbo engine. The 2 liter version featured wet aluminium sleeves coated with NikasilNikasil
Nikasil is a trademarked electrodeposited lipophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating for engine components, mainly piston engine cylinder liners. It was introduced by Mahle in 1967, initially developed to allow rotary engine apex seals to work directly against the aluminum housing...
. The last street version featured over 150 hp/liter and 140 ft·lbf (189.8 N·m)/liter torque.
A V6 1996 cc DOHC 36 valve engine was developed but never manufactured.
| Série | Displacement | Head | Fuel system | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM 452 | 2000 cc | 18 valves | carburetor | Biturbo, Biturbo S |
| AM 453 | 2500 cc | 18 valves | carburetor | Biturbo 2500 |
| AM 470 | 2000 cc | 18 valves | injection | Biturbo i |
| AM 471 | 2000 cc | 18 valves | injection | Si, 2.22S, 2.22SR, 4.18, 4.30, Spyder |
| AM 472 | 2500 cc | 18 valves | injection | Biturbo 2500i |
| AM 473 | 2800 cc | 18 valves | injection | 4.30, 222SR, Spyder, Karif Maserati Karif The Maserati Karif is a luxury coupé produced by Maserati between 1988 and 1992. It was designed to be luxurious but also sporty and agile to allow the driver to "feel like a racing driver again or for the first time". The Karif uses the same shortened chassis as the Zagato-bodied Maserati Spyder... |
| AM 475 | 2000 cc | 24 valves | injection | 2.24, 4.24, Spyder |
| AM 490 | 2000 cc | 24 valves | injection | Racing Maserati Racing The Maserati Racing is based on a sports car introduced by Maserati in 1981, the Biturbo. The Biturbo was a two-door, four-seater notchback coupé featuring a two-litre V6 engine with two turbochargers of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW 3 series.... , Barchetta Stradale Maserati Barchetta The Maserati Barchetta was a mid-engined, two-door, two-seat sports car, like the 350 and 450S, that was designed by Carlo Gaino of the "Synthesis Design", an Italian design house.... |
| AM 495 | 2000 cc | 24 valves | injection | Ghibli II Maserati Ghibli The Maserati Ghibli is a Gran Turismo car produced by Italian manufacturer Maserati in two generations: first from 1966–73, and again as the Maserati Ghibli II from 1992–97.- Ghibli I :... |
| AM 496 | 2000 cc | 24 valves | injection | Ghibli Cup |
| AM 477 | 2800 cc | 24 valves | injection | 2.22 4V, 430 4V, Ghibli II Maserati Ghibli The Maserati Ghibli is a Gran Turismo car produced by Italian manufacturer Maserati in two generations: first from 1966–73, and again as the Maserati Ghibli II from 1992–97.- Ghibli I :... |
| AM 501 | 2000 cc | 24 valves | injection | Barchetta Corsa Maserati Barchetta The Maserati Barchetta was a mid-engined, two-door, two-seat sports car, like the 350 and 450S, that was designed by Carlo Gaino of the "Synthesis Design", an Italian design house.... |
Biturbo
The first Biturbo version was introduced in December 1981 as a two door coupe. The Biturbo name disappeared when the car was significantly redesigned in 1988 and after 1994 became the Ghibli IIMaserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli is a Gran Turismo car produced by Italian manufacturer Maserati in two generations: first from 1966–73, and again as the Maserati Ghibli II from 1992–97.- Ghibli I :...
.
Versions:
| Model | Years | Engine | Displacement | Power | Fuel system | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biturbo | 1982-85 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 180 hp | carburetor Carburetor A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom.... , turbo |
Only Italy |
| Biturbo E | 1983-85 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 205 hp | carburetor, turbo | Only 250 Manufactured |
| Biturbo S | 1983-85 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 205 hp | carburetor, turbo | Only Italy |
| Biturbo 2.5 S | 1984-87 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 196 hp | carburetor, turbo | Catalysator |
| Biturbo | 1985-87 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 180 hp | carburetor, turbo | Only Italy |
| Biturbo 2.5 E | 1985-88 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 185 hp | carburetor, turbo | Catalysator |
| Biturbo S | 1985-86 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 210 hp | carburetor, turbo | Only Italy |
| Biturbo i | 1986-90 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 185 hp | Fuel injection Fuel injection Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... , turbo |
Only Italy |
| Biturbo Si | 1987-88 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 220 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Only Italy |
| Biturbo 2.5 Si | 1987-88 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 188 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 2.24V | 1988-92 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 245 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Only Italy |
| 222 4v | 1988-91 | |V6 dohc | 2790 cc | 279 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 222 E | 1988-90 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 250 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| 222 E | 1988-90 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 222 E | 1988-90 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 290 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | With "Modena Performance Pack" |
| 222 SE | 1990-91 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 250 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| 222 SE | 1990-91 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalytic converter in US (225 bhp) |
| 2.24V | 1991-93 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 245 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Only Italy |
| 2.24V | 1991-93 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 240 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator, Only Italy |
| 222 SR | 1991-93 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| Racing | 1991-91 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 285 hp | Fuel injection, turbo |
See also:Maserati Racing
Maserati Racing
The Maserati Racing is based on a sports car introduced by Maserati in 1981, the Biturbo. The Biturbo was a two-door, four-seater notchback coupé featuring a two-litre V6 engine with two turbochargers of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW 3 series....
420/425/430
Two years after Biturbo introduction was unveiled four door family version. This version has longer wheelbase, 2.6 metres (102.4 in). The four door versionwas replaced in 1994 with Maserati Quattroporte IV
Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is a luxury four-door saloon made by Maserati in Italy. The name translated from Italian literally means "four doors". There have been five generations of the car, each separated by a period of roughly five years....
.
Versions:
| Model | Years | Engine | Displacement | Power | Fuel system | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 425 | 1983-89 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 200 hp | carburetor, turbo | |
| 420 | 1985-88 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 180 hp | carburetor, turbo | Only Italy |
| 420i | 1986-88 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 190 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| 420 S | 1986-88 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 210 hp | carburetor, turbo | Only Italy |
| 430 | 1987-90 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 425i | 1987-90 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 188 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 422 | 1988-90 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 220 hp | Fuel injection]], turbo | Catalysator |
| 4.18v | 1990-94 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 220 hp | Fuel injection]], turbo | Catalysator |
| 4.24v | 1990-92 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 245 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Only Italy |
| 4.24v II | 1991-94 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 240 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 430 4v | 1991-94 | V6 dohc | 2790 cc | 279 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
See also:Maserati 420
Maserati 420
The Maserati 420 is a front engine, rear-wheel-drive luxury car produced by Maserati between 1985 and 1987. In 1986 due to the popularity of the 420, Maserati produced in limited supply, the 420S...
Spyder
The Spyder version was introduced in Turin Motor Show in 1984. The car was designed and built by ZagatoZagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
. The Spyder version has shorter wheelbase, 2.4 metres (94.5 in). On this shorter chassis the sporty hardtop Karif
Maserati Karif
The Maserati Karif is a luxury coupé produced by Maserati between 1988 and 1992. It was designed to be luxurious but also sporty and agile to allow the driver to "feel like a racing driver again or for the first time". The Karif uses the same shortened chassis as the Zagato-bodied Maserati Spyder...
was later developed.
Versions:
| Model | Years | Engine | Displacement | Power | Fuel system | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyder | 1984-88 | V6 ohc | 1995 cc | 180 hp | carburetor | Only Italy |
| Spyder 2.5 | 1984-88 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 192 hp | carburetor, turbo | Catalysator |
| Spyder i | 1986-87 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 185 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| Spyder i | 1987-88 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 195 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| Spyder 2.5i | 1988-89 | V6 ohc | 2491 cc | 188 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| Spyder 2.8i | 1989-91 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 250 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| Spyder 2.8i | 1989-91 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| Spyder i | 1989-91 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 220 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator, Only Italy |
| Spyder III | 1991-94 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 245 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Only Italy |
| Spyder III 2.8 | 1991-94 | V6 dohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| Spyder III | 1991-94 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 240 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator, Only Italy |
228
The Maserati 228 is a two-door Gran turismoGrand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
model, targeting the same markets as had earlier bought 3500 GT
Maserati 3500
Maserati 3500 was a 2-door coupé and convertible made by Maserati of Italy. It was the company's first attempt at the Gran Turismo market and large-volume production.- History :...
s and Mexico
Maserati Mexico
The Vignale Maserati Mexico body was first used on a 5000GT chassis which an important Mexican customer had shipped to Italy for repair after crashing it. Thereafter the model became known as the Mexico. By coincidence, the Cooper-Maserati win in the Mexican Grand Prix occurred the following year...
s.
The 228 was introduced at the 1986 Turin Motor Show, it uses the longer four-door chassis and the bigger 2.8 litre biturbo engine in a two door coupe form with a more luxurious interior than the usual two door cars. 469 examples of the 228 were built up until 1992.
Versions:
| Model | Years | Engine | Displacement | Power | Fuel system | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228 | 1986-92 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 250 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | |
| 228 | 1986-92 | V6 ohc | 2790 cc | 225 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator |
| 222 | 1988-92 | V6 dohc | 1996 cc | 220 hp | Fuel injection, turbo | Catalysator, Only Italy |
- This article is partly based on a translation of the article Maserati Biturbo from the Swedish Wikipedia.