Zagato is a coachbuilding company founded by Ugo Zagato in 1919. The design center of the company is located in Terrazzano, a village near Rho, Lombardy , Italy .
77-573: The Zagato Maserati Mostro is a limited edition car, produced by Zagato and revealed at the 2015 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance. It was created to celebrate the 100-years anniversary of Maserati . It uses the V8 engine and transmission of the Maserati GranTurismo . Only 5 cars were produced by Zagato. The car is a tribute to the Maserati 450S Coupé of 1957 bodied by Zagato. Just as the original Mostro
154-618: A Fiat 8V GT Zagato. The steady higher demand for special bodies required a passage from a handcraft to an industrially based organization. Elio Zagato found a larger location at 30 Via Arese in Terrazzano (northwest of Milan), very close to Arese where Alfa Romeo as well would soon choose to establish its new plants. In 1960 Ugo Zagato was awarded the Compasso d'Oro for the design of the Abarth Zagato 1000 [ it ] . In this period
231-595: A transaxle gearbox. In turn Coupé and Spyder were replaced by the GranTurismo and GranCabrio . Meanwhile, two new models were shown to the public: the MC12 road supersports and successful GT racer with a Ferrari Enzo –derived chassis and engine and the new Quattroporte , a luxury saloon with the 4.2-litre V8 engine of the Gran Turismo. In 2001, Ferrari decided to change all of the old tooling and installed high-tech devices in
308-555: A 6-speed gearbox. 2.0-litre, 24-valve V6 engines were also added to the Shamal range. In October 1989, De Tomaso bought the remaining GEPI quota. In December, FIAT entered in Maserati's history. Maserati and Innocenti were separated; Innocenti Milano S.p.A., the company that sold Innocenti cars, continued its business under a 51% FIAT Auto ownership. All of the Modena and Lambrate plants went to
385-651: A body for the Alfa 6C 1500 , the Alfa Romeo P2 's heir. Zagato, using his Aeronautics culture, succeeded in designing and creating a sleek and light body for the car, which scored second place overall at the 1927 Mille Miglia and won the 1928 edition. The 6C 1500 technical qualities were also improved on with the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 , which was introduced in 1927. It was bodied in several versions (Turismo, Sport, Gran Turismo, Super Sport, or Gran Sport) and achieved overall victories in
462-477: A coachbuilder Atelier tied to the assembly of sports cars) into a Total Design Studio now working in the extended area of transportation design. The company styled and built not only prototypes and show cars on behalf of car manufacturers but also railways and industrial vehicles. In 1991 and 1993, the Design Zagato division introduced two Ferrari V-Max models based on the 348 (348 Zagato Elaborazione) and
539-502: A dozen Quattroporte IIs were ever produced, all with the V6. The replacement for the successful Ghibli was the Bertone -designed Khamsin , a front-engine grand tourer introduced in 1972 and produced until 1974; it combined the traditional Maserati V8 GT layout with modern independent suspension , unibody construction, and refined Citroën technologies such as DIRAVI power steering. Meanwhile,
616-456: A further special order. At that time, Zagato started a new project for a different four-seater, mid-engine concept which became the Cadillac N.A.R.T. This would be a luxurious, sophisticated, high-performance four-seater. The front-wheel-drive powertrain of a Cadillac Eldorado was relocated to create a mid-engine layout. Zagato was asked to build the prototype from the drawings and a clay model that
693-411: A host of new model variants. The same year, the ageing Quattroporte III was updated and marketed as the luxurious Royale , built to order in an handful of examples a year; its discontinuation in 1990 marked the disappearance of Maserati's four-cam V8 engine, a design that could trace its roots back to the 450S racer and the legendary 5000 GT. In 1987, the 2.8-litre 430 topped the saloon range. 1988 brought
770-585: A long and short wheelbase of the Biturbo platform. During 1984, Chrysler bought a 5% share in Maserati. Following an agreement between De Tomaso's friend and Chrysler head Lee Iacocca , a joint venture was signed. Maserati would go on to produce a car for export to the American market, the Chrysler TC by Maserati , with Chrysler-sourced engines. In July of that same year, a merger between Maserati and Nuova Innocenti
847-458: A mid-structure of steel tubes forming the cockpit and a sub-frame supporting the fuel tank, exhaust system, rear suspension and gearbox. Made in Italy, the bodywork is entirely carbon fibre. Set back in the chassis, the 4.2-litre Maserati V8 engine has dry-sump lubrication and is equipped with a programmable engine management system. Power (undisclosed but estimated to be in the region of 460bhp) reaches
SECTION 10
#1733084763167924-666: A movement started in 2015 with the Mostro; in 2022, it released a barchetta version of the Mostro, limited to 5 units, and in 2024, announced the AGTZ Twin Tail , based on the Alpine A110 , limited to 19 units. Maserati Maserati S.p.A. ( Italian: [mazeˈraːti] ) is an Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer. Established on 1 December 1914 in Bologna , Italy, the company's headquarters are now in Modena , and its emblem
1001-453: A newly created company, the still existent Maserati S.p.A.; 49% of it was owned by FIAT Auto and 51% was controlled by De Tomaso through the old company, Officine Alfieri Maserati. In the early 1990s, a mid-engine sports car was developed, the Chubasco [ it ] — which was to début in 1992. It featured Gandini-designed body, a V8 powertrain, and a backbone chassis . The project
1078-595: A number of years in the 1950s, achieving a number of stunning victories including winning the world championship in 1957 in the 250F . Other racing projects in the 1950s were the 200S , 300S , 350S , and 450S , followed in 1961 by the famous Tipo 61 . Maserati retired from factory racing participation because of the Guidizzolo tragedy during the 1957 Mille Miglia , though they continued to build cars for privateers . Maserati became more and more focused on building road-going grand tourers . The 1957 3500 GT marked
1155-640: A six-cylinder engine and styled by Pietro Frua . In 1963, the company's first saloon was launched, the Quattroporte , also styled by Frua. If the 5000 GT inaugurated the marque's first road-going V8, the Quattroporte's Tipo 107 4.2-litre DOHC V8 was the forefather of all Maserati V8s up to 1990. The Ghia -designed Ghibli coupé was launched in 1967. It was powered by a 4.7-litre dry sump version of Maserati's quad cam V8. The Ghibli Spyder and high performance 4.9-litre Ghibli SS followed. In 1968, Maserati
1232-459: A steel-bodied short wheelbase Vignale 3500 GT Spyder open top version followed in 1959. The 3500 GT's success, with over 2,200 made, was critical to Maserati's survival in the years following withdrawal from racing. The 3500 GT also provided the underpinnings for the small-volume V8-engined 5000 GT , another seminal car for Maserati. Born from the Shah of Persia 's whim of owning a road car powered by
1309-570: A traditional V8 drivetrain, 1,100 units of the Indy were made. In 1971, the Bora was the company's first series production mid-engine model, an idea agreed with administrator Guy Malleret shortly after the 1968 takeover. The Bora ended Maserati's reputation for producing fast but technologically out of date cars, being the first Maserati with four wheel independent suspension . In contrast, competitor Lamborghini had used independent suspension in 1964. In 1972,
1386-411: A turning point in the marque's history, as its first ground-up grand tourer design and first series-produced car. Production jumped from a dozen to a few hundred cars a year. Chief engineer Giulio Alfieri took charge of the project and turned the 3.5-litre inline six from the 350S into a road-going engine. Launched with a Carrozzeria Touring 2+2 coupé aluminium body over superleggera structure,
1463-631: A variety of aerodynamic cars during these decades, adopting inclined windscreens, more aerodynamic headlights, and convex bootlids. He also favored perforated disc wheels that improved brake cooling. All Alfa Romeo 8Cs received coachwork from Zagato. In January 1932, Zagato-bodied cars also began to be built by Carrozzeria Brianza. Bianchi , Fiat , Isotta Fraschini , Lancia , Maserati , and OM all experimented with lightweight and aerodynamic Zagato bodies, especially for race cars. The list of victories includes eight Mille Miglia , four Targa Florio , four Le Mans , and four Spa Francorchamps OA victories. In
1540-474: Is a trident . The company has been owned by Stellantis since 2021. Maserati was initially associated with Ferrari . In May 2014, due to ambitious plans and product launches, Maserati sold a record of over 3,000 cars in one month. This caused them to increase production of the Quattroporte and Ghibli models. In addition to the Ghibli and Quattroporte, Maserati offers the Maserati GranTurismo and two SUV models,
1617-607: Is structured under FCA Italy S.p.A., which itself is structured under FCA, whereas Maserati is structured solely under FCA. In addition, in an interview with Wester in 2015, he clarified that his "role at Maserati is different from that in the Alfa Romeo as the latter is better integrated into the FIAT Group" and that "the new Alfa car won't share any parts with the current Maserati model. I'm not planning any technical merging of these two makes." In 2013, Maserati started its expansion with
SECTION 20
#17330847631671694-507: The 1973 oil crisis put the brakes on the ambitious expansion of Maserati; demand for fuel-hungry sports cars and grand tourers shrank drastically. Austerity measures in Italy meant that the domestic market contracted by 60–70%. All of the main Italian GT car manufacturers were heavily affected, having to lay off workers in order to empty lots of unsold cars. Maserati received the hardest blow, as its home market sales accounted for over half of
1771-813: The Fiat and the Chrysler groups, the TZ3 Stradale became the first American Alfa Romeo. After the Fiat 500 Coupé Zagato and AC 378 GTZ , Zagato consolidated its special relationship with Aston Martin by designing the Centennial V-Max models (as a tribute to AML's 100 years), the Vanquish Family , and, for the "Cento" years from Zagato foundation, the Pair and the Twins collections. Also Porsche liaison has been revamped with
1848-549: The Fountain of Neptune in Bologna 's Piazza Maggiore . In 1920, one of the Maserati brothers used this symbol in the logo at the suggestion of family friend Marquis Diego de Sterlich. It was considered particularly appropriate for the sports car company due to the fact that Neptune represents strength and vigour; additionally the statue is a characteristic symbol of the company's original home city. Alfieri Maserati died in 1932, but three other brothers, Bindo, Ernesto, and Ettore kept
1925-507: The Indianapolis 500 , making Maserati the only Italian manufacturer ever to do so. The second world war then intervened and Maserati abandoned car making to produce components for the Italian war effort. During this time, Maserati worked in fierce competition to construct a V16 town car for Benito Mussolini before Ferry Porsche of Volkswagen built one for Adolf Hitler . This failed, and
2002-540: The Isotta Fraschini works, on behalf of which he constructed trucks, military vehicles, and a futuristic Monterosa . He returned to Milan at the end of the war and re-established his company at Via Giorgini 16, close to the Alfa Romeo historic home at Portello . He looked for more spacious and more comfortable car greenhouses, which were eventually crystallized in a new type-form characterized by airiness and visibility thanks to large, glazed areas made of plexiglass,
2079-558: The Karif , a two-seater, based on the short wheelbase Spyder chassis. Meanwhile, the Biturbo name was dropped altogether, as updated coupés and saloons were updated and became the 222 and 422. 1989 marked the reintroduction of an eight-cylinder grand tourer: the Shamal , built on a modified short wheelbase Biturbo chassis, clad in new muscular bodywork styled by Marcello Gandini . It was powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 32-valve V8 engine paired to
2156-547: The Ligier JS2 . With secure financial backing, new models were launched and built in much greater numbers than years prior. Citroën borrowed Maserati's expertise and engines for the SM and other vehicles, and Maserati incorporated Citroën's technology, particularly in hydraulics . Engineer Giulio Alfieri was key to many of the ambitious designs of this period. The first new arrival was the 1969 Indy —a Vignale-bodied four-seater GT with
2233-487: The Maserati 450S racing engine, it became one of the fastest and most expensive cars of its days. The third to the thirty-fourth and last example produced were powered by Maserati's first purely road-going V8 engine design. In 1962, the 3500 GT evolved into the Sebring , bodied by Vignale and based on the shorter wheelbase convertible chassis. Next came the two-seater Mistral coupé in 1963 and Spider in 1964, both powered by
2310-590: The Maserati Levante (the first ever Maserati SUV) and the Maserati Grecale . Maserati has placed a yearly production output cap at 75,000 vehicles globally. The Maserati brothers, Alfieri (1887–1932), Bindo (1883–1980), Carlo (1881–1910), Ettore (1894–1990), and Ernesto (1898–1975), were all involved with automobiles from the beginning of the 20th century. Alfieri, Bindo, and Ernesto built 2-litre Grand Prix cars for Diatto . In 1926, Diatto suspended
2387-842: The Quattroporte VI , which was designed to better compete with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class . This was followed by the introduction of the Ghibli , which was slated to compete against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5 Series . On May 6, 2014, Maserati confirmed production of the Levante SUV and the Alfieri (previously a 2+2 concept sports car that was named after Alfieri Maserati). The Alfieri has not started production as yet. At this event, it
Zagato Maserati Mostro - Misplaced Pages Continue
2464-742: The Testarossa (FZ93). In 1992, as a tribute to the Lancia Delta Integrale victories, the Hyena concept was created and a small series of 25 cars was built. Zagato built the Raptor and the Lamborghini Canto concept, both powered by a Lamborghini V12 at the request of Mike Kimberley, Lamborghini's CEO. Voted "Best Concept" at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show , the Raptor was produced in less than 4 months, thanks to
2541-542: The Zagato Zele two-seater. In 1971, a new Ferrari Zagato, called 3Z, came to life thanks to an idea of Luigi Chinetti who financed the decidedly angular spider. In the same year, it was introduced at the Turin Motor Show and signaled the definitive departure from SZ, TZ, and Lancia Flaminia and Appia's curvy volumes to embrace the squared volumes of Lancia Fulvia Sport and Alfa Romeo Junior Z . Chinetti himself made
2618-432: The share capital . On 22 May 1975, a press release from Citroën management abruptly announced Maserati had been put into liquidation . The workforce immediately picketed the factory, but production was not halted. Trade unions , the mayor of Modena , and local politicians mobilised to save the 800 jobs; industry minister Carlo Donat-Cattin even flew to Paris to meet Citroën chairman Francois Rollier . An agreement
2695-528: The 1929 Mille Miglia (Campari-Ramponi) and 1930 ( Tazio Nuvolari , Achille Varzi , Giuseppe Campari, and Pietro Ghersi filled the first four places). In 1929, Enzo Ferrari , who had started his career at Alfa Romeo, founded Scuderia Ferrari as the official team for Alpha Romeo racing cars. Ugo Zagato was his exclusive partner in the thirties. In those years, Ansaldo , Bugatti , Diatto , Fiat , Isotta Fraschini , Lancia , Maserati , OM, and Rolls-Royce were clients of Zagato. Zagato continued to build
2772-505: The 1930s, Zagato-bodied models started to compete and dominate in different classes and categories. Thirty-six Zagato-bodied cars were at the start of the 1938 Mille Miglia, which was one third of the participants. At the outbreak of the Second World War , Ugo Zagato left Milan and fled to Lake Maggiore . On 13 August 1943, an RAF bombing raid destroyed his coachworks on Corso Sempione road. He found new premises at Saronno alongside
2849-420: The 20,000th Maserati, a Quattroporte V, left the factory. In the second quarter of 2007, Maserati made profit for the first time in 17 years under FIAT ownership. On January 22, 2010, FIAT announced that it had created a new partnership/brand group for Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Abarth. The group was led by Harald J. Wester, the current CEO of Maserati. Sergio Marchionne stated that "[the] purpose of bringing
2926-399: The Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands under the same leadership is to emphasize and leverage the value of the shared qualities of the three brands in terms of their sporting characteristics and performance." Abarth stayed under Wester's leadership until 2013, leaving Maserati and Alfa Romeo in the brand group, led by Wester. Although Maserati and Alfa Romeo are in a brand group, Alfa Romeo
3003-565: The Bora was transformed to the Merak , now employing a Tipo 114 SM-derived V6 enlarged to 3.0-litres. Citroën never developed a 4-door version of the SM – instead Maserati developed the Quattroporte II , which shared most of its mechanical parts with the SM, including the mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout , and six headlight arrangement. To power this large car, Alfieri developed a V8 engine from
3080-541: The Fiat Chicane, the rear-engine Sprint 6, Zeta 6, Alfetta, Lancia Thema Station Wagon, and the Alfa Romeo 33 Tempo Libero, also available in a 4x4 hybrid version. At the same time, the growing demand for exclusive spiders and coupes led Zagato to produce limited, numbered editions. The Aston Martin Vantage (50 units) and Volante Zagato (33 units) were the highest expression of this economic and commercial climate. Furthermore,
3157-591: The Flavia Sport and Super Sport, and the Fulvia Sport and Sport Spider. In addition to these, some were realized for special customers who are the owners of Bristol , Fiat , Ford , Lamborghini , Honda , Osca , Rover and Volvo vehicles. In response to the Oil Crisis and in contrast to the irrational and anti-functionalist trends of the era, Zagato also proposed the production of electric cars such as
Zagato Maserati Mostro - Misplaced Pages Continue
3234-631: The Milanese coachbuilder bodied the Maserati Spyder and Maserati Karif . Additionally, the Alfa Romeo SZ (1989) and roadster named RZ (1991) were assembled here for Alfa Romeo. Both cars were born by the first application of the CAD process to automobiles. The SZ was an experimental coupé that revisited Alfa Romeo's sporting image; it was a rear-wheel drive coupé, a symbol of sporting pedigree. It harks back to
3311-664: The Modena factory. Since early 2002, Maserati once again entered the United States market, which has quickly become its largest market worldwide. The company has also re-entered the racing arena with their Trofeo and, in December 2003, the MC12 (formerly known as the MCC), which was developed according to FIA GT regulations and has since competed with great success in the world FIA GT championship, winning
3388-412: The SM's V6 on the behest of Factory Manager Guy Malleret. The engine was rated at 260 PS (190 kW; 260 hp) and fitted to a lightly modified SM, which proved that the chassis could easily handle the power increase. Citroën's and Maserati's financial difficulties hampered the type homologation process; the development costs for the stillborn saloon further aggravated Maserati's situation. Only
3465-466: The Stellantis merger in 2021. In July 1997, FIAT sold a 50% share in the company to Maserati's long-time arch-rival Ferrari (Ferrari itself being owned by FIAT ). In 1999, Ferrari took full control, making Maserati its luxury division. A new factory was built, replacing the existing 1940s-era facility. The steps taken by the new parent company resulted in the improved Quattroporte Evoluzione which
3542-428: The automotive sector. Cars of the time were often bulky and heavy; Ugo Zagato envisioned them as lightweight structures with a frame in sheet aluminum similar to an aircraft fuselage. During the 1920s, Zagato focused on designing racing cars . At the beginning of the decade, he was asked by Alfa Romeo to dress some of its G1, RL and RM models. In 1925, Vittorio Jano , Alfa Romeo's Chief Engineer, asked him to create
3619-460: The brand's business in making custom-built models, which are almost exclusively coupés with two doors and two seats. The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, a race model with a carbon fiber mono-shell chassis, tubular frame, and lightweight aluminum body, and the TZ3 Stradale, a street-legal model based on the Viper ACR chassis with a carbon fiber body, were notable developments. Due to the joint venture between
3696-673: The day of taking over the business. Beginning in 1976, new models were introduced, sharing their underpinnings—but not their engines—with De Tomaso cars; first came the Kyalami grand tourer, derived from the De Tomaso Longchamp , restyled by Frua and powered by Maserati's own V8. Following the Kyalami was the Giugiaro -designed Quattroporte III based on the De Tomaso Deauville , which
3773-503: The family of Zagato Carreras, as well as Lamborghini , Maserati , and BMW connection with the 575, the Mostro , and the BMW Twins collections. Since 2017, Zagato has been a partner in the resurrection of the Italian luxury sport brand Iso Rivolta . In 2019, Zagato marked 100 years since its founding. Since the 2020s, Zagato has deepened its commitment to its own car production,
3850-497: The firm going. In 1937, the remaining Maserati brothers sold their shares in the company to the Adolfo Orsi family, who, in 1940, relocated the company headquarters to their home town of Modena , where it remains to this day. The brothers continued in engineering roles with the company. Racing successes continued, even against the giants of German racing, Auto Union and Mercedes . In back-to-back wins in 1939 and 1940, an 8CTF won
3927-730: The ground via a semi-automatic, six-speed rear transaxle, an arrangement that optimises front/rear weight distribution. Suspension is by double wishbones front and rear with pushrod actuation of the springs/dampers. The alloy wheels are 19" in diameter and there are large disc brakes all round. Zagato Ugo Zagato was an Italian automotive designer and builder. He was born in Gavello , near Rovigo (June 25, 1890). He began his coach building career in 1919 when he left "Officine Aeronautiche Pomilio" to set up his own business in Milan . He intended to transfer various construction techniques from aeronautics to
SECTION 50
#17330847631674004-401: The lyrics "My Maserati does one eighty-five." The 1980s saw the company largely abandoning the mid-engine sports car in favour of a compact front-engine , rear-drive coupé, the Biturbo . Of fairly conventional construction, the Biturbo's highlight was its twin-turbocharged V6 engine , the first for a production car . This engine, descending from the 90° V6 engineered by Giulio Alfieri,
4081-406: The mission of Zagato was to design special bodies to be assembled in series and fitted with mechanical parts and interiors supplied by major constructors. Under the partnership with Alfa Romeo, the Giulia SZ, the TZ, TZ2, 2600 SZ, the 1750 4R and the Junior Zagato were born. In partnership with Lancia, Zagato continued the “Sport” series with the Lancia Appia Sport, the Flaminia Sport and Super Sport,
4158-410: The new material that replaced the traditional heavy glass. This "Panoramic" body, as it was called, would mark the rebirth of his coachwork: Alfa Romeo, Fiat , Lancia , Maserati , and MG were "dressed" with this innovative body. In 1949, he built a Panoramic body for the Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia , belonging to Antonio Stagnoli; this was the first Ferrari coupé for a client ever. The Panoramic concept
4235-456: The philosophy of the extreme coupés that distinguishes the historic Alfa - Zagato relationship: the 1900 SSZ 1954, the Giulietta SZ 1960, the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ and Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 and the 2600 SZ 1965, the Junior Z , and the Alfa Romeo Zeta 6. Zagato faced the need to keep up with the new demands of an evolving market: besides organizing, from 1993, a one-make race series for Alfa Romeo SZ and RZ , it turned (was no longer just
4312-433: The plans were scrapped. Once peace was restored, Maserati returned to making cars; the A6 series did well in the post-war racing scene. Key people joined the Maserati team. Alberto Massimino , a former FIAT engineer with both Alfa Romeo and Ferrari experience, oversaw the design of all racing models for the next ten years. With him joined engineers Giulio Alfieri , Vittorio Bellentani , and Gioacchino Colombo . The focus
4389-399: The production of race cars, leading to the creation of the first Maserati and the founding of the Maserati marque. One of the first Maseratis, driven by Alfieri, won the 1926 Targa Florio . Maserati began making race cars with 4, 6, 8, and 16 cylinders (two straight-eights mounted parallel to one another). The trident logo of the Maserati car company, designed by Mario Maserati, is based on
4466-426: The sole owner. In 1994, the aging Quattroporte III/Royale was replaced by the Quattroporte IV which was ultimately based on Biturbo underpinnings. Styled by Marcello Gandini, it was initially available with a V6 engine shared with the Ghibli II. A more powerful V8 variant was made available in 1996 and "Seicilindri" and "Ottocilindri" (six and eight cylindres in Italian) badging was introduced to distinguish between
4543-467: The teams championship three consecutive times from 2005 to 2007. The MC12 has also been raced in various national GT championship as well as in the American Le Mans series. The MC12 is based on the Enzo Ferrari sports car; 50 street-legal homologation models (roadsters and coupés) have been sold. The Maserati and Alfa Romeo group, under FIAT Group , started in 2005, when Maserati was split off from Ferrari and partnered with Alfa Romeo. On 9 June 2005,
4620-436: The total—in contrast with Ferrari 's 20%. In this situation, the only Maserati automobile that continued to sell in appreciable numbers was the small-displacement Merak. In 1974, with the 1973–75 recession at its climax, things took a turn for the worse. Citroën went bankrupt and its incorporation into PSA Peugeot Citroën begun. The year closed with domestic sales tumbling from 1973's 360 to 150 units, and losses exceeding
4697-432: The two models. The engine of the V8 model was a development of the Shamal's V8. Over two decades after the ill-fated Chrysler TC by Maserati during Chrysler's brief ownership stake in Maserati, the two companies became interconnected again when FIAT purchased majority control of Chrysler in 2011 as a result of Chrysler's bankruptcy . Maserati and Citroen also later interconnected for the first time since 1975, following
SECTION 60
#17330847631674774-528: The use of integrated technology applied to the CAD/CAM/CAE system that allowed the intermediate styling buck phase to be eliminated. In 1998, Zagato was commissioned by Fiat to design and produce three V-Max prototypes with low fuel consumption (3 liters/100 kilometers). The Fiat Ecobasic , developed in collaboration with Centro Stile Fiat, was judged to be the best research V-Max concept. Special projects created for Aston Martin , Bentley , Ferrari , Maserati , Spyker , Diatto , and Alfa Romeo consolidate
4851-410: The world of automotive competition: the category comprised cars with sports coachwork and a production chassis or bodyshell. AC , Alfa Romeo , Abarth , Aston Martin , Bristol , Ferrari , Fiat , Fraser Nash , Maserati , Jaguar , Osca , Porsche , and Renault wore Zagato GT bodies. In 1955, Elio Zagato scored a victory in the International Gran Turismo Championship at the Avus circuit , driving
4928-498: Was an invention of Vieri Rapi, chief Zagato stylist at that time. In 1947, as a gift for his graduation from Bocconi University of Milan, Elio Zagato , Ugo's first-born son, received an open-top sports car based on a Fiat 500 B chassis. This car represented the beginning of his career as a driver, earning 83 podium spots from 160 races. The birth of the Gran Turismo category, conceived in 1949 by Count Giovanni Lurani , journalist Giovanni Canestrini, and Elio himself revolutionized
5005-446: Was built for racing and subsequently converted into a road car, so the modern-day Mostro has been created primarily for track use using racing technology, while also being useable on the road. The car presented at the concours did not have a wing but the red car offered in February 2020 at a Bonhams auction in Paris did have one. The chassis is based on the Gillet Vertigo .5. It is of carbon fibre 'MonoCell' construction, supplemented by
5082-414: Was cancelled, as part owner Fiat deemed the project to be too close to Ferrari in the marketplace. Starting in 1990, the entire range of the Biturbo received a facelift designed by Marcello Gandini, on the lines of the Shamal's styling. The last version of the Biturbo coupé was called Racing. It was a transitional model in which several features to be found on the upcoming Ghibli were tested. The Ghibli II
5159-430: Was conceived in GM's studios. A Fiat, based on 132, and named Aster, was bodied as prototype as well as a Volvo GTZ . The Zagato facility in Terrazzano saw also the assembly of Lancia Beta Sport Spider that established Lancia's name in America and Australia and the Bristol 412 Targa , whose design was very similar to the Lancia's one. During the early 1980s, Zagato introduced several Alfa Romeo concept cars, including
5236-462: Was decided; it was carried out in 1985. Chrysler upped its stake to 15.6% by underwriting three quarters of a 75 billion Lire capital raise in 1986. New Biturbo-based cars and model evolutions were launched year after year. In 1984, it was the 228, a large coupé built on the long wheelbase saloon chassis, with a new 2.8-litre version of the twin-turbocharged V6. Weber Fuel injection was phased in starting in 1986, bringing improved reliability and
5313-427: Was fitted in a large number of models, all sharing key components; every new Maserati launched up to the 1990s would be based on the Biturbo's platform. The Biturbo family was extremely successful at exploiting the aspirational image of the Maserati name—selling 40,000 units. In 1983 and 1984, the range was extended to include saloons (the 425 and 420) and a cabriolet (the Zagato -bodied Spyder), respectively on
5390-421: Was held in 1992 and 1993, using the Barchetta Corsa racing version; the road-going Barchetta Stradale was never put into production. Just 17 units of the Barchetta were produced. Between 1992 and 1994, all models save for the Ghibli and Shamal were progressively discontinued. On 19 May 1993, 17 years after having rescued it from liquidation, Alejandro De Tomaso sold his 51% stake in Maserati to FIAT, which became
5467-470: Was introduced at the March 1998 Geneva Motor Show . In 1998, a new chapter began in Maserati's history when the company launched the 3200 GT . This two-door coupé is powered by a 3.2 L twin-turbocharged V8 derived from the Shamal engine, which is rated at 370 horsepower (280 kW). In 2002 the 3200 GT was replaced by the Maserati Coupé and Spyder; evolved from the 3200, these cars used an all-new, naturally aspirated , dry sump 4.2-litre V8 with
5544-519: Was introduced in 1976 and put on sale in 1979. The Bora's sales dwindled down; the Khamsin was discontinued between 1982 and 1983. Progressively stripped of its Citroën-derived parts, the Merak continued to sell over one hundred units a year, until 1982. Despite the downturn in sales, awareness of the brand increased during this time as a result of the popular song Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh , which contained
5621-550: Was introduced in 1992. It was a six-cylinder coupé, with modified Biturbo underpinnings dressed by new Gandini bodywork (toned down from the Shamal) and the latest evolution of the 24-valve twin-turbocharged V6 with record breaking specific output. The underpinnings of the stillborn Chubasco gave birth to the Maserati Barchetta , a small open top mid-engine sports car styled by Synthesis Design's Carlo Gaino. A one-make racing series
5698-551: Was on the best engines and chassis to succeed in car racing. These new projects saw the last contributions of the Maserati brothers, who, after their 10-year contract with Orsi expired, went on to form O.S.C.A. This new team at Maserati worked on several projects: the 4CLT , the A6 series, the 8CLT, and, pivotally for the future success of the company, the A6GCS . The famous Argentinian grand prix driver Juan-Manuel Fangio raced for Maserati for
5775-486: Was reached in June, after several meetings and assemblies. During one of these meetings, Citroën liquidators disclosed that a possible Italian buyer had showed up, and the name of Alejandro de Tomaso was put forth for the first time. Citroën accepted to suspend liquidation as requested by the Italian government, which on its part guaranteed six months of special redundancy fund to pay the salaries. On 8 August 1975, an agreement
5852-721: Was signed at the Ministry of Industry in Rome, and property of Maserati passed from Citroën to Italian state-owned holding company GEPI and Alejandro de Tomaso , an Argentinian industrialist and former racing driver, became president and CEO. As of December 1979, GEPI's quota amounted to 88.75% of Maserati, the remaining 11.25% stake was being controlled by de Tomaso through a holding company which grouped his automotive interests in Maserati and Innocenti . After de Tomaso bought Maserati in August 1975, he dismissed long time Chief Engineer Alfieri on
5929-667: Was taken over by Citroën . Adolfo Orsi remained the nominal president, but Maserati was controlled by its new owner. The relationship started as a joint venture, made public in January 1968, in which Maserati would design and manufacture an engine for Citroën's upcoming flagship called SM . Launched in 1970, the SM was a four-seat front-wheel-drive coupé, powered by a Maserati Tipo C114 2.7-litre 90° V6 engine ; this engine and its gearbox had been used in other vehicles, such as rally -prepared DSs used by Bob Neyret in Bandama Rally , and in
#166833