Maserati Biturbo

Maserati Biturbo
Manufacturer Maserati
Production 1981-1994
Assembly Modena, Italy
Predecessor Maserati Merak
Successor Maserati Shamal and Ghibli II
Class Sports / Luxury
Body style 2-door coupé
4-door sedan
2-door cabriolet
Layout FR layout
Engine 2.0L V6
2.5L V6
2.8L V6, twin turbocharged
Transmission 5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Wheelbase 251 cm (98.8 in) (Coupé)
260 cm (102.4 in) (Sedan, 228)
240 cm (94.5 in) (Spyder)
Length 415 cm (163.4 in) (Coupé)
440 cm (173.2 in) (Sedan)
404 cm (159.1 in) (Spyder)
445 cm (175.2 in) (228)
Width 171 cm (67.3 in) (Coupé, Spyder)
173 cm (68.1 in) (Sedan)
186 cm (73.2 in) (228)
Height 131 cm (51.6 in) (Coupé, Spyder, 228)
136 cm (53.5 in) (Sedan)
Designer Pierangelo Andreani

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 turbochargers 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 (138 kW) and 208 lb·ft (282 N·m) of torque in North American spec and slightly more elsewhere. Fuel injection was fitted in 1987 raising power to 187 hp (139 kW). In 1989 the 2.8L engine bumped power to 225 hp (168 kW) and 246 lb·ft (334 N·m) of torque for North America and 250 hp (186 kW) 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.

Contents

History

When Alessandro de Tomaso acquired Maserati 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 supercars 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).

Biturbo engines

The Maserati Biturbo was the first ever production biturbo engine. The 2 liter version featured wet aluminium sleeves coated with Nikasil. The last street version featured over 150 hp/liter and 140 ft·lbf (190 N·m)/liter torque.

A V6 1996 cc DOHC 36 valve engine was developed but never manufactured.[1]

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
AM 475 2000 cc 24 valves injection 2.24, 4.24, Spyder
AM 490 2000 cc 24 valves injection Racing, Barchetta Stradale
AM 495 2000 cc 24 valves injection Ghibli II
AM 496 2000 cc 24 valves injection Ghibli Cup
AM 477 2800 cc 24 valves injection 2.22 4V, 430 4V, Ghibli II
AM 501 2000 cc 24 valves injection Barchetta Corsa

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 II.

Versions:

Model Years Engine Displacement Power Fuel system Notes
Biturbo 1982-85 V6 ohc 1995 cc 180 hp carburetor, 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, 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

420/425/430

Two years after Biturbo introduction was unveiled four door family version. This version has longer wheelbase, 2.6 metres (100 in). The four door version was replaced in 1994 with Maserati Quattroporte IV.

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

Spyder

The Spyder version was introduced in Turin Motor Show in 1984. The car was designed and built by Zagato. The Spyder version has shorter wheelbase, 2.4 metres (94 in). On this shorter chassis the sporty hardtop Karif 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 turismo model, targeting the same markets as had earlier bought 3500 GTs and Mexicos. 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

References

  1. ^ 36 valve engine prototype

External links

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