Maserati Racing
Encyclopedia
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 turbocharger
s of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW
3 series.
Built only in 230 copies, 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.
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 kgm already at 3,500 rpm, peaking at 38 kgm 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 absorber
s 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).
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. The Biturbo was 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...
featuring a two-litre V6 engine 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 of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
3 series.
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
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
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 :...
and the 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...
.
Among these changes several were related to the engine.
- new lighter crankshaftCrankshaftThe crankshaft, sometimes casually abbreviated to crank, is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation...
- new exhaust valves, sodium filled for better heat dissipation
- new combustion chamberCombustion chamberA combustion chamber is the part of an engine in which fuel is burned.-Internal combustion engine:The hot gases produced by the combustion occupy a far greater volume than the original fuel, thus creating an increase in pressure within the limited volume of the chamber...
s - new lighter conrodsConnecting rodIn a reciprocating piston engine, the connecting rod or conrod connects the piston to the crank or crankshaft. Together with the crank, they form a simple mechanism that converts linear motion into rotating motion....
- new lighter forged aluminum pistonPistonA piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
s - new IHI turbochargers
Combined with new settings on the two engine controllers from Magneti-Marelli
Magneti-Marelli
Magneti Marelli S.p.A. is an Italian company which deals with development and manufacturing of systems, modules and high-technology components for the automotive industry...
, 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 kgm already at 3,500 rpm, peaking at 38 kgm 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
Koni
Koni or KONI is:* Koni , Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's black Labrador Retriever* KONI , an FM radio station located in Lanai City, Hawaii* Koni * Koni, Guinea* Koni, Côte d'Ivoire...
shock absorber
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
s 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
Getrag
Getrag is a leading manufacturer of automobile manual transmissions. The company was founded on 1 May 1935, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, by Hermann Hagenmeyer; as the Getriebe und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG...
and a limited slip differential "Ranger" from Maserati but suspected to use Quaife
Quaife
R.T. Quaife Engineering, Ltd. is a British manufacturer of automotive drivetrain products. It designs and manufactures replacement gearboxes and gear sets, some of which are for four-wheel drive systems....
technology.
The new front fascia used new ellipsoid headlights developed by Magneti-Marelli
Magneti-Marelli
Magneti Marelli S.p.A. is an Italian company which deals with development and manufacturing of systems, modules and high-technology components for the automotive industry...
. Marcello Gandini
Marcello Gandini
Marcello Gandini is an Italian car designer, widely known for his work with the automotive design house Gruppo Bertone, notably his design of the Lamborghini Countach. Together with Giorgetto Giugiaro and Leonardo Fioravanti, Gandini forms a noted triumvirate of Italian car designers, all born in...
, 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 (159.1 mph)
- 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 5.9 sec.
- 0-1000 m (0.621372736649807 mi): 25.60 sec.