Maserati 2.0i / 2.24v Tipo AM330/C / AM552 / AM562 (1981–1994)

Officially, the Maserati Twin Turbo First shown on December 14, 1981. The Biturbo was the car that gave Maserati a new impetus by reintroducing the 2,0-liter class. Sales started in April 1982 in Italy.

The model had a compact four-door coupé body designed by freelance designer Pierangelo Andreani. The model was 4,15 meters long and had a wheelbase of 2,5 meters. The interior was luxurious, with room for four people in an atmosphere dominated by leather and wood.

Maserati biturbo I

History and background

The Maserati Biturbo came onto the market in 1981 and is often seen as the car that both saved and nearly ruined Maserati. The idea behind the Biturbo was brilliant: a relatively compact, affordable sports coupé intended to make the brand accessible to a wider audience. Under the leadership of Alejandro De Tomaso, Maserati opted for a bold strategy: instead of building expensive, exclusive models for a handful of wealthy customers, they wanted to compete with BMW and Mercedes with the Biturbo. The name says it all: under the hood lay a twin-turbo V6 engine, a first in series production cars.

The introduction was a smash hit: finally, you could drive a Maserati without having to sell a villa for it. Only… the car soon proved notorious for its questionable reliability. From leaking turbos and stubborn electronics to rust-prone bodywork, the Biturbo quickly gained a reputation that drove many an owner to despair. Yet it must be said: the cars drove fantastically when they worked, with plenty of power and that wonderful feeling that only an Italian sports car gives you.

Interior of the first version

Design and interior

In terms of appearance, the Biturbo was a child of the 80s: angular lines, a compact body, and a distinctly businesslike profile. The bodywork was designed by Pierangelo Andreani and resembled an Italian interpretation of the BMW 3 Series more than the flamboyant Maseratis of the 70s. The design was understated, almost modest, but the large grille with a trident and the muscular stance betrayed that this was no run-of-the-mill coupé. Inside, the atmosphere was completely different: Maserati showered the Biturbo with luxury. Think leather, wood, and a watch-style clock on the dashboard that has since achieved cult status. Where German competitors opted for solidity and simplicity, Maserati went for glamour and flair.

Model variants

The Biturbo was the basis for a whole series of models: from the original coupé to sedans, convertibles, and special editions. Variants such as the Biturbo S (with intercoolers), the Biturbo Si, the Biturbo 222, and the Biturbo Spyder were introduced. In fact, the Biturbo became the hook on which Maserati hung all their models in the 80s and early 90s.

Biturbo original (1981–1983) — the pioneer:

The first Biturbo version was introduced in December 1981 as a two-door coupé. It was equipped with a 2,0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produced approximately 185 hp.

Biturbo S (1982–1985) — the sportier version:

In 1983, the more powerful Biturbo S had twin intercoolers, recognizable by two NACA air intakes on the hood. Approximately 220 hp.

Biturbo i / Si (1986–1988) — fuel injection:

In 1986 and 1987, both versions were updated with fuel injection as the Biturbo i and Biturbo Si.

222 / 222E (1988–1993) — after the redesign:

Under the hood of the Maserati 222 E was a 2.790 cc twin-turbocharged V6 engine that developed 225 hp at 5.500 rpm, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 220 km/h. Production of the Maserati 222 E ran from 1988 to 1993, during which 722 examples of this model were produced. 

222 SE / SR (1991–1993) — final evolution:

In 1991, the 222 SE received an update with new headlights, a grille, seven-spoke alloy wheels, and a new aerodynamic spoiler at the base of the windshield. This updated version was designated as the 222 SR. Among the engineering works of the 222 SR was the newly developed "intelligent" suspension, available as an option. 

2.24v (1990–1994) — top-of-the-line coupe:

All Maserati models from the introduction of the Biturbo in 1981 until 1997 were based on the original Biturbo architecture, including the coupes such as the 2.24v. The 2.24v had 24 valves (4 per cylinder) and was the most powerful Biturbo coupe model.

The V6 of the Maserati Biturbo I

The power source was a twin-turbo V6 engine, unique for a road car. The 1995 cc version produced 180 hp and was intended for the heavily taxed domestic market, while a 2491 cc block with 190 hp was reserved for the export versions. The second series was introduced in July 1985. A total of 9.206 units of the I and II series were built.

The Maserati Biturbo was the first-ever production car with a twin-turbocharged engine. A technological first that fundamentally changed the automotive world — virtually every modern turbo engine is a descendant of the concept that Maserati introduced in 1981.

All Maserati models from 1981 to 1997 were based on the original Biturbo architecture. Sixteen years on the same basic platform — longer than most competitors ever continued on a single platform.

Maserati Biturbo E

The Biturbo E was produced for export markets (hence the "E"), with a 2,5-liter engine. The 2,0-liter engine was for the domestic market due to the heavy tax on cars with large engines. Apart from the engine, the Biturbo E was similar to the standard version, and 4.577 were built.

Competitors

The Maserati Biturbo had to do battle with cars like the BMW 3 Series (E30), the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201), and, to some extent, the Jaguar XJ-S in the higher echelons. In theory, the Maserati had more flair, but in practice, the Germans often won on reliability.

The Biturbo was officially the first production car in the world with a double turbo system. In doing so, Maserati was technically ahead of brands that later boasted of twin turbos. However, the famous clock on the dashboard was often the most reliable part of the entire car.

The Maserati Biturbo was further developed over the years and spawned numerous successors within the same family, such as the 222, the 430, the Shamal, and ultimately the Ghibli II. You could say that the Biturbo was more of a platform than a single model.