Model featured:

Maserati Shamal

The Maserati Shamal, a small two-door coupe, is named after the Shamal, a hot summer wind that blows in large areas of Mesopotamia. The Shamal was designed by Marcello Gandini, famous for designing the Lamborghini Countach.

The center pillar acts as a roll bar and is always finished in black, a distinguishing characteristic of the Shamal. The name "Shamal" appears on either side of the central pillar in chrome lettering. The car has alloy wheels, a small rear spoiler and a blacked-out grille with chrome accents.

The two-seat interior of the Shamal features extended leather seat cushions, temperature control and the famous Maserati oval clock, which is situated in the centre of the dashboard. The gear lever is finished in elm. While built for comfort as well as performance, the Shamal was not as luxuriously appointed as the similar Maserati Ghibli II.

The front-engined Shamal is powered by a 3.2-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing some 325bhp. It has a six-speed manual transmission and an electronic active suspension control system. This system updates the adjustment on each wheel, based on road conditions and the level of comfort desired.

Performance

1. power: 326bhp
2. top speed: 260km/h | 162mph
3. 0-100 kmh [0-60 mph]: [5.3]

Engine

1. capacity: 3217cc
2. cylinders: 8
3. configuration: V8

Other

1. production dates: 1992-1995
2. total produced: 369
3. variants: –