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The Maserati Merak was produced from 1972, when it was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon, until 1983. During this time two special models were made, the Merak SS and the Merak 2000 GT. The SS was built as a high-performance version of the car. It had a ZF gearbox and tuned engine. The 2000 GT was built specifically for the Italian market. It featured a detuned engine built to cope with high taxes.

At the center of the Merak is a quad-cam V6. It is mounted just before the rear wheels much like the maserati Bora. Infact, the Merak is a derivative of the Bora, sharing the same wheelbase, front-end and braking system. .

Unlike the Bora, the Merak has a completely redesigned rear end. Giogetto Giugiaro's design is clean and simple. The engine sits below and entirely flat hood which makes for good rear-ward vision. Two non-structural, butresses help carry the roofline over the rear of car.

The engine itself is the same power unit used in the Citroen SM. Infact, due to a union between the Maserati and Citroen, the Merak uses many Citroen components. The instruments, brakes, single-spoke steering wheel and transmission are entirely Citroen. Infact, the mechanicals found in the rear of the car are more Citoroen than Bora based.

Back in the early seventies, demand was growing for Automakers to make smaller cars. Emissions limits and pollution taxes were starting to to sculpt the sports-car market. This explains the move to the smal V6 engine and the motivation behind the Merak 2000 GT. In 1972, Maserati and Citroen created a contempory car for its modern market, one that looked as good as it drove.