Maserati Ghibli | Biturbo’s Final Hooray

26 February 2022 Redazione Budget Cars, News

By Carlo Brema / Photos Maserati

In 1992 – exactly 30 years ago – Maserati removed from its catalogue all those models based on the Biturbo, namely the 222, 422 and 430, both coupe and spider. Something new is needed then, without however having to resort to the costs involved in designing something from scratch. And so Marcello Gandini takes the pencil and traces the lines over the Maserati Racing, a limited series of only 230 units produced between 1990 and 1992, modifying the front, the tail and equipping it with new aerodynamic appendages and dedicated wheels. The most important aspects, however, are the updated and more reliable engines and the return of the legendary Ghibli name, borrowed from one of the most beautiful coupes in automobile history.

Despite a decidedly more modern look and a refined cockpit that still today turns out to be an environment from which you would no longer want to get off, the Ghibli II did not collect the hoped-for success and with the various versions produced until 1997, it did not exceed 2,380 units. Numbers aside, the Ghibli 24V Biturbo is one of those cars that are better understood with the passage of time and that represents the backlash of an era in which design was the basis of automotive creation. In fact, we can safely define the Ghibli II as the last Maserati with square lines, a model in which the volumes are accentuated by its edges and where the link with the immediately preceding models is strong and clear.

Moving on to performance, the main engines introduced are both V6 cylinders, a 2-liter 306 horsepower and a 284 horsepower 2.8-liter, both combined with rear-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Despite its not-so-big size, the Ghibli II had a good on board comfort, but it paid an overall weight that touches 1,800 kg, still nothing that prevented performance like 5.7 seconds to shoot from 0 to 100 kph (5,8 seconds for the 2.8cc) and a top speed of 265 per hour (260 for the 2.8cc). It goes without saying that the 6-cylinder was a pleasure, but due to the reliability problems that had plagued the previous models, the Ghibli II carried the fear of being used properly, as an engine of this kind would have really deserved. We believe that it is an unfairly underestimated car and that it deserves a second chance, without forgetting that with a much lower check you can take home what is most similar to the more exotic Shamal, always designed by master Gandini.