Makes › Maserati › Karif · Rare production · 1988–1991 Extremely Rare
Maserati
Karif
221 sold
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Brian Snelson · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 221 Built
- Years
- 1988–1991
- Engine
- V6, 90 degrees, twin turbo · 2,800 cc / 2.8 LFactory: 2.8 L
- Power
- 213 kW / 289 PSFactory: 285 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 255 km/hFactory: 255 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Pierangelo Andreani
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Karif was a high-performance coupe built on a shortened Biturbo Spyder platform, with a rigid roof and the 2.8 litre twin-turbo V6. It was designed for driving enjoyment, and it was known as a demanding car to drive.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Maserati Karif (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Brian Snelson · CC BY 2.0
Maserati Karif (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Masikarif · CC BY-SA 4.0
Maserati Karif (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Masikarif · CC BY-SA 4.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionKarif, 1988-1991 (data sheet) | 2211 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Karif was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1988. It used the 2.8 litre twin-turbo V6 from the 228 on a shortened chassis, and the rear seats of the Biturbo were removed.
The name is that of an African wind, in line with Maserati's wind-named GT cars. The car had a 5-speed manual gearbox with short ratios.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Karif.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V6, 90 degrees, twin turbo2 |
| Displacement | 2,800 cc / 2.8 LFactory: 2.8 L3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | Three valves per cylinder (two intake, one exhaust), single overhead camshaft2 |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Induction | Twin turbo2 |
| Power | 213 kW / 289 PSFactory: 285 hp · converted2S2 gives 212.5 kW / 285.0 bhp at 6000 rpm; the catalysed version is 225 hp per S1. |
| Power at | 6,000 rpm2 |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual with short ratios3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 255 km/hFactory: 255 km/h3 Independently researchedClaimed figure stated as 'over' 255 km/h; not a measured result. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
- 1
-
2
Karif Level C Maserati (international site, archived) · 2019-07-11
- 90° V6, three valves per cylinder
- three valves per cylinder (two intake, one exhaust), single overhead camshaft
- twin-turbo
- Maximum power | 285hp @ 6,000rpm
-
3
1988-1993 Maserati Karif Level C supercars.net
- of 2.8-litre capacity
- a 5-speed manual gearbox with special short ratios
- a top speed of over 255kph
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