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Post #1 Sun, Mar 5, 4:04 PM |
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gomes
Supercar Guru - 708
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I'm looking for some info on a maserati biturbo coupe limited edition built to comemorate maserati's anniversary..
Does anybody have some info on this..maybe even some pictures..
thanks
Edited by gomes - Sun, Mar 5, 4:07 PM
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Post #2 Sun, Mar 5, 9:42 PM |
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ajzahn
Posts - 62542
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???
Model History
The Maserati Biturbo (pronounced Bee-Turbo) was introduced into the United States during the 1984 model year. The Biturbo coupe featured a 2.5L V6 SOHC engine that developed 185hp at 5500rpm. The Biturbo had originally been introduced in Europe in late 1982 with a 2.0L engine. Specifications for the European cars can be found from an article in the magazine Auto Italia.
The engine was derived and heavily modified from the 2.0L Maserati Merak engine used in the Italian home market. It was an aluminum 90 degree V6 with cast iron wet cylinder liners, three valves per cylinder, with one exhaust valve and two intake valves of dissimilar sizes. The engine bore was fat (91.6mm) with a relatively short stroke of 63mm. Two IHI turbochargers sat underneath the cylinder banks and blew air through a single 2 barrel Weber carburetor housed atop the engine in a plenum chamber. Peak torque of 208lb-ft was available at a low 3000rpm, and combined with a weight of around 2700lbs, helped propel the car from 0-60mph in about 7 seconds.
The Biturbo had a 5-speed manual ZF transmission, manual rack and pinion steering, and a leather interior. The front suspension was MacPherson strut, and the rear was an independent semi-trailing arm design. Large non-ventilated ATE disc brakes were at the front and rear, with 4 piston fixed calibers up front, and 14" 4-bolt wheels.
In 1985, the Biturbo was offered in the USA with the options of power steering and an automatic transmission. The Sensitork differential began to appear during this model year, a limited slip differential which replaced the earlier Salisbury unit.
A higher performance version of the Biturbo, called the E model, was offered during 1985 only. The E model had two-tone paint, firmer and shorter springs, a stiffer front anti-roll bar, revalved shocks, larger tires (205/60-14 instead of 185), and different wheels. The Biturbo E had the options of either dual air-to-air or air-to-liquid intercoolers, the latter made by Spearco and available only on cars sold on the west coat. With the dual air-to-liquid intercoolers, the engine produced 205hp@5250rpm and 260lb-ft at 3500 rpm. The Biturbo E sprinted to 60mph in about 6.3 seconds.
For the 1986 model year, the 2 door coupe was temporarily dropped from the lineup and two new models arrived: the Biturbo Spyder, a convertible, and the 4-door Biturbo 425. All cars were equipped with automatic transmissions and power steering, and water-cooled IHI turbochargers replaced the previous oil-cooled units, which tended to improve the reliability of the turbochargers. A slightly smaller Weber carburetor was fitted. The Spyder had a shorter wheelbase than the earlier coupe and seats for only 2 people, but the mechanicals were much the same. The 4-door sedan had a slightly stretched wheelbase and increased height over the coupe.
For 1987, the coupe was re-added to the model lineup and the Weber carburetor was replaced with a Weber Marelli fuel injection system. The lineup became the Biturbo Si (coupe), the Biturbo 425i (4-door), and the Spyder. All cars were fitted with twin air-to-air intercoolers and 5-speed manual transmissions. (Some 1987 cars still had carbureted engines and automatic transmissions). Engine power increased to 187hp at 5500rpm, with torque measured at 240lb-ft at 3000rpm. The 0-60mph times dropped to around 6.5 seconds.
During the 1988 model year, no Biturbos were shipped to the United States.
For 1989, many important changes took place. The engine displacement was increased from 2.5L to 2.8L, and power was up to 225hp at 5600rpm and 246lb-ft of torque at 3500rpm (250hp in Europe). The Spyder continued, and the new 228 and 430 models replaced the previous coupe and 4-door, respectively. The Biturbo name was dropped, but the Biturbo heritage was evident in the new cars. The 228 featured a redesigned 2-door body with a stretched wheelbase over the original coupe. The 430 remained similar in appearance to the earlier 425 model.
All cars featured upgraded suspensions and brakes, including ventilated disc brakes and floating calipers, a new "Ranger" limited slip differential, dual exhaust, and larger 15" 5-bolt wheels. A 4 speed automatic transmission became an option. Other improvements included a copper radiator that replaced the aluminum unit, and automatic climate control. The intake valves in the engine were changed to be the same size.
The lineup continued mostly unchanged in 1990, and only a few 1991 model year Spyders were shipped to the USA. Maserati left the USA market after that time, continuing to develop and sell the Biturbo model line elsewhere in the world.
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Post #3 Sun, Mar 5, 9:46 PM |
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ajzahn
Posts - 62542
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Making sense of the Biturbo range
From almost the outset, the Biturbo was available in a choice of three body styles:
1. Coupe - two doors and 2+2 seating, the rear seats suitable for children or adults on short journeys
2. Spyder or convertible with 2 seats
3. Saloon, 4 doors and 4 / 5 seats
While the detailing (lights, bumpers, trim and "roundness" of shape) changed over the years, these three body types remained in production right up to the introduction of the Ghibli in 1994. The Spyder used a shorter wheelbase than the coupe and saloon.
A staggering number of engine variations were produced though they can largely be divided again into three main types:
1. Early cars used a carburettor fed engine with 3 valves per cylinder (2 inlet, 1 exhaust)
2. These were quickly replaced by the fuel-injected engines to meet more stringent emission rules. Still using 3 valves per cylinder, these engines are also smoother, more reliable but less aurally satisfying.
3. The four valve cylinder head was introduced with the launch of the Ghibli and uses a chain at the back of each head to join the twin cams on each bank. This arrangement has caused problems in engines that have not been fully maintained in compliance with the stringent service schedule.
Each engine type was produced in 2.0 litre form (the Italian "tax-breaker special") and a larger, 2.5 or 2.8 litre capacity for export. Occasionally they were fitted with inter-coolers and some variants were delivered with or without catalysers dependent on individual market regulation. Every so often a limited edition, high performance variation was produced - usually based on the 2.0 litre engine which (despite its small size) delivers generous torque across the rev range and spins much more sweetly than its larger brothers.
So far, so good. Confusion starts to set in because the factory played a game of 'mix and match' with the various body/engine combinations and changed its model naming / numbering scheme from time to time.
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Post #4 Thu, Mar 9, 5:32 AM |
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gomes
Supercar Guru - 708
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found what I was looking for.didn't ave all the facts straight..
It was the maserati biturbo Si black, only 105 examples...
does anybody have pics?
thanks
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Post #5 Thu, Mar 9, 10:55 AM |
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ajzahn
Posts - 62542
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The Biturbo Si was launched in 1986 and was the last model to bear the Biturbo label. Powered by a 2-litre engine fitted with an integrated Weber/Marelli electronic fuel injection and ignition system and two large intercoolers (mounted in front of the radiator) the Si produced 220 bhp at 6350 rpm with a maximum torque figure of 187 lb ft at 3500 rpm.
The Si was only available in three colour combinations; Rosso Maserati over Soft Grey Metallizzato, Blu Silver Metallizzato over Soft Grey Metallizzato and of course Nero over Soft Grey Metallizzato (known as the 'Biturbo Si Black' of which 105 examples were produced).
The interior now sported newly designed seats; the Rosso and Blu Silver Metallizzato cars were finished in Terra di Sienna lether with beige alcantara, the Nero in Ivory coloured trim, both sported a wooden gear lever knob.
The Si was fitted with a subtle rear spoiler and the wheels, though similar in design to those of the earlier Biturbo S model, now had polished centres.
According to the Biturbo Si brochures (one in English, the other in French) that I have for the 2.5-litre (2491cc) export version, the maximum power output is quoted at 188 bhp at 5000 rpm with maximum torque rating of 236.5 lb ft at 3000 rpm.
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Post #6 Thu, Mar 9, 10:56 AM |
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ajzahn
Posts - 62542
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Technical specification - BITURBO Si serie 'Black' 2-litre
>>> http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/bi12.htm
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Post #7 Thu, Mar 9, 10:59 AM |
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ajzahn
Posts - 62542
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Post #8 Sat, Mar 11, 1:42 AM |
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gomes
Supercar Guru - 708
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thanks ajzahn!!
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