Makes › Maserati › Shamal · Rare production · 1990–1996 Very Rare
Maserati
Shamal
369 built
Photo: NearEMPTiness · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 369 Built
- Years
- 1990–1996
- Engine
- 90° V8, twin-turbo, DOHC, 32 valves · 3,217 cc / 3.2 LFactory: 3,217 cc
- Power
- 243 kW / 331 PSFactory: 326 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 270 km/hFactory: 270 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Marcello Gandini
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Shamal put a twin-turbo V8 into the Maserati range, replacing the V6 of the Biturbo family. Up to its 1989 announcement, the only other twin-turbo V8 production cars were the Ferrari 288 GTO and F40. Maserati's factory describes it as one of the most extreme production cars ever made.
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 Shamal (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: NearEMPTiness · CC BY-SA 4.0
Maserati Shamal (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: JaayJay · Public domain
Maserati Shamal (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Marco 56, edited by Cloverleaf II · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionShamal, six model years to 1996 | 3691,2 | Factory production | Factory reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Maserati was short of money in the late 1980s and Biturbo sales were falling. The Shamal was announced at the end of 1989 as a range-topping coupe. It reused the shortened wheelbase, doors and basic body structure of the Biturbo Spyder, but its body shape was new and was styled by Marcello Gandini.
The engine, the AM 479, was a 3.2-litre 32-valve DOHC twin-turbo V8 with two IHI turbochargers, one per bank, and a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox. Production ran from 1990 to 1996, and 369 cars were sold over six model years.
The Shamal's body shape influenced the later Ghibli. Its twin-turbo V8 was carried on in the Quattroporte IV and the 3200 GT coupe before being replaced by a naturally aspirated V8 around 2002.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Shamal.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | AM 4793 Independently researched |
| Layout | 90° V8, twin-turbo, DOHC, 32 valves1 |
| Displacement | 3,217 cc / 3.2 LFactory: 3,217 cc1 |
| Bore | 80 mmFactory: 80 mm3 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 80 mmFactory: 80 mm3 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | 7.5:13 Independently researched |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder1 |
| Fuel system | Weber/Marelli electronic fuel injection3 Independently researched |
| Induction | Two water-cooled IHI turbochargers, one per bank, air-to-air intercooled3 Independently researched |
| Power | 243 kW / 331 PSFactory: 326 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturerHp kept as stated by the factory; not converted. Hemmings gives the same 326 horses. |
| Power at | 6,000 rpm1 |
| Torque | 434 NmFactory: 320 lb-ft · converted3 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 2,800 rpm3 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual, Getrag 560G3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 63 Independently researched |
| Gear ratios | 1st 4.22:1; 2nd 2.688:1; 3rd 1.71:1; 4th 1.265:1; 5th 1.00:1; 6th 0.848:1; reverse 3.62:13 Independently researched |
| Final drive | 3.36:1 (Maserati Ranger limited-slip)3 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Rear3 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Unit-body monocoque with front and rear subframes3 Independently researchedFactory data sheet gives 'monocoque steel construction' (S1). |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar, electronically adjusted dampers3 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Tubular trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar3 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Hydraulic, power-assisted twin-circuit, 11-inch ventilated discs front and rear; no ABS3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Rack-and-pinion, power-assisted3 Independently researched |
| Body construction | Two-door, four-seat three-box coupe1 |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mmFactory: 94.5 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,100 mmFactory: 161.4 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,850 mmFactory: 72.8 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,300 mmFactory: 51.2 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Front track | 1,380 mmFactory: 54.5 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Rear track | 1,550 mmFactory: 61 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | 1,417 kgFactory: 1,417 kg1Hemmings gives shipping weight 3,124 lb, which is the same mass in pounds. |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 270 km/hFactory: 270 km/h1Hemmings gives 168 mph, which matches. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 5.3 s3 Independently researched |
| Fuel tank | 79.9 LFactory: 21.1 gal-us · converted3 Independently researchedSource says 'gallons' without a unit system. US gallons assumed from the US magazine. |
“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.
The forward-jutting nose has three headlamps per side in separate housings. Every Shamal has a dark grey targa band on the B-pillar carrying a chrome 'Shamal' script. The factory model code is AM339. The original engine is the AM 479 V8 with Weber/Marelli injection and two water-cooled IHI turbochargers, one per bank. Standard wheels are 16-inch.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Shamal (Maserati Classic Cars, Biturbo and derivates) Level A Maserati S.p.A. · 2019-07-11
- Numbers produced | 369
- 90° V8 ,32 valves, double overhead camshaft, twin-turbo
- Displacement | 3,217cc
- 32 valves, double overhead camshaft
- Maximum power | 326hp @ 6,000rpm
- 2-door, 4-seater three-box coupé
- Dry weight | 1,417kg
- Top speed | 270km/h
- 2
-
3
The Missing Link - 1991 Maserati Shamal Level C Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car · 2015-06-01
- AM 479 DOHC V-8, alloy block and heads
- Bore x stroke: 80 mm x 80 mm
- Compression ratio: 7.5:1
- Fuel system: Weber/Marelli electronic fuel injection
- water-cooled IHI turbochargers (one per bank)
- Torque @ RPM: 320-lb.ft. @ 2,800
- Getrag 560G six-speed manual, single dry-plate clutch
- Getrag 560G six-speed manual
- Ratios: 1st: 4.22:1 ... 6th: 0.848:1
- Type: Maserati Ranger limited-slip; Ratio: 3.36:1
- Layout: Front-engine, rear wheel drive
- Unit-body monocoque with front and rear subframes
- MacPherson struts and an anti-roll bar in front
- Tubular trailing arms, coil springs
- Front: 11-inch ventilated disc; lacks ABS
- Type: Rack-and-pinion, power assisted
- Wheelbase: 94.5 inches
- Overall length: 161.4 inches
- Overall width: 72.8 inches
- Overall height: 51.2 inches
- Front track: 54.5 inches
- Rear track: 61 inches
- 0-60 MPH: 5.3 seconds
- Fuel tank: 21.1 gallons
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