Maserati Shamal

Maserati Shamal
Manufacturer:	Maserati
Production:	1992-1995
Class:
Body Style:	2-door 2+2-seater Coupé
Chassis:	Monocoque construction
Engine:	3.2-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, 2 IHI watercooled turbochargers
Power:	325bhp @ 6000 rpm and 320 lb ft @ 2800 rpm.
Transmission:	Getrag 6-speed manual transmission, Rear wheel drive
Length:	4100mm
Width:	1850mm
Height:	1300mm
Weight:	1417kg (dry)
Wheelbase:	2400mm
Predecessor:
Aka:
Designer:	Marcello Gandini
Related:	Maserati Biturbo Maserati Karif Maserati Ghibili II
Similar:

The Maserati Shamal is a small, two-door coupe introduced by Italian automaker Maserati on December 17, 1989. It is named after shamal, a hot summer wind that blows in large areas of Mesopotamia. The Shamal was designed by Marcello Gandini, who is 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.

The Shamal has a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h) and a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 5.3 seconds.

The final year of production for the Maserati Shamal was 1996. Factory figures indicate that 369 Shamals were produced between 1989 and 1996.

Overall production figures of the Shamal ended at 53 with only 11 being produced in RHD. 2 more Shamals were later made by the Maserati factory via special order for 2 wealthy Arab Sheikhs. Early models were only avialble in either red or Black, although Dark Blue was a option during latter years of production. One of the special order models was finished in pink! Above states the car as a 2-seater, although it is in fact a 4 seater model although the rear seats offer very little in the way of leg room for passengers in the rear of the car.

External links

• Maserati Shamal
• Shamal enthusiast's page

Maserati S.p.A., a subsidiary of the Fiat S.p.A. since 1993, road car timeline, 1950s–present
Type	1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Ownership	Orsi family																		Citroën							De Tomaso																		Fiat S.p.A.
Executive																																	Biturbo
Luxury														Quattroporte											QP II					QP III															QP IV										QP V
GT	A6							3500 GT							Sebring																						228						Ghibli II
														Mistral																									Karif
										5000 GT							Ghibli								Khamsin															Shamal								3200 GT					Coupé					GT
2+2																	Mexico
																			Indy										Kyalami
Mid-engine																							Merak
																						Bora																																		MC12