Maserati Racing

Maserati Racing

Manufacturer	Maserati
Production	1990-1991 230 units
Successor	Shamal and Ghibli II
Class	Sports / Luxury
Body style	Coupé
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Biturbo phase 3
Engine	2.0L DOHC 24V V6 twin turbocharged
Transmission	5-speed Getrag manual
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100 in)[1]
Length	4,190 mm (165 in)
Width	1,712 mm (67.4 in)
Height	1,305 mm (51.4 in)
Curb weight	1,240 kg (2,700 lb)
Related	Maserati Biturbo

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.

Maserati Racing engine.

Built only in 230 copies,^[2] in 1990 and early 1991, this car was dedicated to the Italian market. Later, several units could be found spread across Europe (France, Germany and the Netherlands). Limited documentation was available, which made homologation in some countries (still) a huge administrative challenge.

The purpose of this model was to test some hardware developments and improvements before applying them to the Ghibli II and the Shamal.

Among these changes several were related to the engine.

• new lighter crankshaft
• new exhaust valves, sodium filled for better heat dissipation
• new combustion chambers
• new lighter conrods
• new lighter forged aluminum pistons
• new IHI turbochargers

Combined with new settings on the two engine controllers from Magneti-Marelli, in charge of the ignition, the fuel injection and the turbo boost management, this allowed the power to increase to 285 hp (208 kW) at 6250 rpm with a specific output 142 hp/l. The torque is 37 kg·m (362.8 N·m; 267.6 ft·lbf) already at 3,500 rpm, peaking at 38 kg·m (372.7 N·m; 274.9 ft·lbf) at 4,250 rpm. This engine is called AM 490 in the Maserati engine reference book. The engine has been made compatible with lead-free gasoline.

In the chassis the lower tunable electronic KONI shock absorbers allowed for selection among 4 settings according to the level of comfort or road handling required at the flick of a switch. This is combined with a 5 speed gearbox from Getrag and a limited slip differential "Ranger" from Maserati but suspected to use Quaife technology.

The new front fascia used new ellipsoid headlights developed by Magneti-Marelli. Marcello Gandini, the designer of a later model, developed an aerodynamic kit that included front spoiler, windshield wiper spoiler, rear spoiler and side skirts. The choice of colour of the Racing was limited to red or black.

Inside, the only change was the wood paneling that has been painted dark grey (carbon fiber grey).

Performance

• Max. speed: 256 km/h (159 mph)^[3]
• 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 5.9 sec.^[3]
• 0-1,000 m (0.62 mi): 25.60 sec.^[3]

References

1. ^ "1991 Maserati Racing". carfolio.com. http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=9053. Retrieved 2007-10-28. 
2. ^ Maserati Maurizio Trabucchi Ed. ETAI
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Maserati Racing". maserati-alfieri.co.uk. http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri08.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-28. 

• Official Maserati Heritage : Racing page