View source for Maserati Biturbo

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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#333333; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" |[[Image:Maserati 222E 2.jpg|280px|Maserati 222SE]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:darkred; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 |'''Maserati Biturbo'''
|-
| Manufacturer   ||   [[Maserati]]
|-
| Parent company   ||   [[Fiat Group]] (since 1993)
|-
| Production     ||   1981-1994
|-
|Body style  ||  2-door [[coupé]]<br>4-door [[sedan]]<br>2-door [[cabriolet]]
|-
| Class          ||   [[Sports car|Sports]] / [[Luxury vehicles|Luxury]]
|-
| Engine     ||   2.0L, 2.5L, and 2.8L V6, twin turbocharged
|-
| Platform       ||   
|-
|Layout  ||  [[FR layout]]
|-
|Transmission  ||  5-speed manual<br>3-speed automatic
|-
|Predecessor  ||  [[Maserati Merak]]
|-
| Wheelbase        ||   251cm (Coupé)<br>260cm (Sedan, 228)<br>240cm (Spyder)
|-
| Length         ||   415cm (Coupé)<br>440cm(Sedan)<br>404cm (Spyder)<br>445cm (228)
|-
| Width          ||   171cm (Coupé, Spyder)<br>173cm (Sedan)<br>186cm (228)
|-
| Height           ||   131cm (Coupé, Spyder, 228)<br>136cm (Sedan)
|-
| Successor      ||   [[Maserati Shamal|Shamal]] and [[Maserati Ghibli|Ghibli II]]
|-
| Similar        ||   [[BMW 3 Series]]
|-
| Designer  ||  	Pierangelo Andreani
|}



The '''Maserati Biturbo''' is a [[sports car]] introduced by [[Maserati]] in 1981. The Biturbo was a two-door, four-seater [[notchback]] [[coupé]] featuring, as the name implies, a two-litre V-6 engine with two [[turbocharger]]s (of somewhat smaller dimensions than the [[BMW 3 Series]] (E21) cars of the time) and a luxurious interior. 
The car was designed by Pierangelo Andreani, an engineer from the De Tomaso team, somehow influenced by the design of the newer Quattroporte III ([[Italdesign Giugiaro]]), as it can be noticed on the front fascia. 

Export versions came initially with a 2.5L V6, after 1989 it was enlarged to 2.8&nbsp;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 2.0L [[Maserati Merak|Merak]] engine. Itself based on earlier V8 Formula One Maserati engines, designed by [[Giulio Alfieri]] (1924 - 2002). The carbureted 2.5L engine 185hp and {{Auto ftlbf|208|0}} of torque in North American spec and slightly more elsewhere. Fuel injection was fitted in 1987 raising power to 187hp. In 1989 the 2.8L engine bumped power to 225hp and 246ftlbf of torque for North America and 250hp for Europe.

All [[Maserati]] models from the Biturbo's introduction in 1981 until 1997 (except the [[Maserati Quattroporte|Quattroporte]]) were based on the original Biturbo architecture, among them the four-door [[Maserati 420|420]]/[[Maserati 425|425]] and 4.24v, the [[Maserati Biturbo|Spyder]], the [[Maserati Karif|Karif]] , the [[Maserati 228|228]] and 2.24v, the [[Maserati Racing]] and the later [[Maserati Shamal|Shamal]] and [[Maserati Ghibli|Ghibli II]]. 


==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 [[aspirational brand|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 SM|Citroën]] ownership altogether, like the [[Maserati Bora|Bora]] and [[Maserati Khamsin|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, until de Tomaso sold the company out to [[Fiat]]. It did not cure the problem.

It is #28 in the BBC book of [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2004/10_october/crap_cars.shtml "Crap Cars"]. 

It reflects that the maintenance of such small, high performance engines require professional attention. Too many of these cars have been used on a "run to fail" mode which had dramatic impact on their life expectancy and thus their image. Specific output of these engines in their later road configuration was in the range of 145 to 165 hp/l, one of the highest in its category.

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 140ftlbf/liter torque.

A V6 1996 cc DOHC 36 valve engine has been developed but never reach manufacturing

{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:800px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:90%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
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|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
! Série !! Displacement !! Head !! Fuel system !! Model
|-
| AM 452 || 2000 cc || 18 valves || carburator || Biturbo, Biturbo S
|-
| AM 453 || 2500 cc || 18 valves || carburator || 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, [[Maserati Karif|Karif]]
|-
| AM 475 || 2000 cc || 24 valves || injection || 2.24, 4.24, Spyder
|-
| AM 490 || 2000 cc || 24 valves || injection || [[Maserati Racing|Racing]], [[Maserati Barchetta|Barchetta Stradale]]
|-
| AM 495 || 2000 cc || 24 valves || injection || [[Maserati Ghibli#Ghibli II|Ghibli II]]
|-
| AM 496 || 2000 cc || 24 valves || injection || Ghibli Cup 
|-
| AM 477 || 2800 cc || 24 valves || injection || 2.22 4V, 430 4V, [[Maserati Ghibli#Ghibli II|Ghibli II]]
|-
| AM 501 || 2000 cc || 24 valves || injection || [[Maserati Barchetta|Barchetta Corsa]]
|}


==Biturbo==
[[Image:Maserati BiTurbo S.JPG|thumb|230px|right|Maserati Biturbo S in [[Alberobello]], Italy.]]
[[Image:222E.jpg|thumb|230px|right|Maserati 222E]]
[[Image:Maserati 222SE.jpg|thumb|230px|right|Maserati 222SE]]

The first Biturbo version was introduced in December 1981, a two door coupe. The Biturbo name disappeared with update in 1988 and after 1994
was introduced [[Maserati Ghibli|Ghibli II]].


'''Versions:'''
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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
!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||185 hp||carburetor, turbo||
|-
|'''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||225 hp||Fuel injection, turbo||Catalysator
|-
|'''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||[[Catalysator
|-
|'''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==
[[Image:Maser Biturbo 4p.JPG|right|thumb|250px|Maserati Biturbo: A four door variant was introduced in 1983]]
[[Image:Maserati 430 1989 NB.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Maserati 430]]

Two years after Biturbo introduction was unveiled foor door family version. This version has longer wheelbase, {{convert|2.6|m|in}}. The four door version
was replaced in 1994 with [[Maserati Quattroporte|Maserati Quattroporte IV]].


'''Versions:'''
{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:600px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
!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==
[[Image:Maserati Biturbo.JPG|right|thumb|250px|Maserati Biturbo Spyder i]]

'''1986 Maserati Biturbo Spider'''

<gallery>
Image:2a_3.jpg
Image:5a_3.jpg
Image:f8_3.jpg
Image:32_3.jpg
Image:3a_3.jpg
Image:61_3b.jpg
</gallery>


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, 2.4m.


'''Versions:'''

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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
!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 two door [[Gran turismo]]-version, it was meant to same markets as earlier [[Maserati 3500|3500 GT]] and [[Maserati Mexico|Mexico]].
The 228 was introduced in Turin Motor Show in 1986, it was built longer four door chassis and has bigger 2.8 litre biturbo engine. The 228 was built
469 copies until 1992.

'''Versions:'''

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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
!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
|}

'''1989 Maserati 228'''

<gallery>
image:1989 Maserati 228 1.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 2.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 3.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 4.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 5.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 6.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 7.jpg
image:1989 Maserati 228 8.jpg
</gallery>
==References==
*[http://www.maserati.com/jsp/carMonografia.jsp?category=%2Fmaserati%2Fcars%2Fheritage%2Fbiturbo&menuKey=t30&BV_SessionID=@@@@1031176918.1194108238@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccaddmhdldhdfcefeceegdgimdfml.0| Official Maserati Heritage Biturbo pages]



{{Maserati S.p.A.}}
{{Maserati timeline}}

[[Category:Maserati vehicles|Biturbo]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]