Maserati 228

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Maserati
Maserati 228i
Maserati 228i
228
Production period: 1986-1992
Class : upper middle class
Body versions : Coupe
Engines: Petrol engines :
2.8 liters
(165–188 kW)
Length: 4450 mm
Width: 1864 mm
Height: 1320 mm
Wheelbase : 2600 mm
Empty weight : 1240-1260 kg
successor Maserati Ghibli II

The Maserati 228 (later 228i ) is a four-seater sports car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Maserati from the beginning of 1986 to the spring of 1992, which belongs to the Maserati Biturbo family . The designation 228 made a reference to the number of doors (two) and the displacement of the engine (2.8 liters). The vehicle was presented to the public on December 14, 1984, the 70th anniversary of Maserati's founding, although series production did not begin until the beginning of 1986. The vehicle was designed as a Gran Turismo and was in the tradition of the Maserati Kyalami , which had been discontinued a few years earlier . It was primarily developed for the American market, where the conventional biturbo was mostly perceived as too small.

Model history

The 228 was a two-door coupé on the longer wheelbase of the four-door Maserati biturbo models (2600 mm). The shape of the 228, which goes back to Pierangelo Andreani , was based on the smaller biturbo, but appeared more elongated and elegant due to the increased length. The front section was distinguished by the indicators above the bumpers that protruded around the side of the fender. The design of the front section was deliberately based on the BMW 6 Series, which was very successful in the USA . The chrome-plated grille was more pronounced than on the small biturbo models. High quality fabrics, leather and wood were used in the interior.

The 228 initially powered by a 255 hp 2.8-liter V6 with Weber carbs and two powered IHI - turbochargers , which were first liquid cooled here. Although four valves per cylinder and double ignition were initially planned, the series produced engines with single ignition and three valves for each cylinder. A five-speed manual gearbox was supplied as standard, with a three-speed automatic transmission as an option. The 228i made its debut in 1986, with the mixture preparation now being carried out by an injection system. The power was 250 hp or, in the catalytic converter version, 224 hp. In 1988 the three-speed automatic was replaced by a four-speed unit. From 1988 Maserati also used the engine of the 228 in the export version of the smaller coupés, which were sold as the 222 E , 222 SE and 222 SR .

The Maserati 228i was sold in Germany in 1990 at a list price of DM 106,520. It was thus about the same price as the Mercedes-Benz SL 300 (which was newly introduced at the time) .

In commercial terms, the Maserati was not a success. By spring 1992, only 469 vehicles were built. Much of the production was exported to the United States of America. The lack of success of the vehicle is mostly attributed to inadequate product management and the excessive stylistic similarity to the small biturbo models. Even today, the vehicle is mostly only treated superficially in brand literature; some otherwise complete works completely dispense with a description of the model.

literature

  • Cancellieri, Gianni, et al. (Ed.): Maserati. Catalog raisonné 1926-2003 . Automobilia, Milan 2003. ISBN 88-7960-151-2
  • Tabucchi, Maurizio: Maserati. All Grand Prix, Sports and GT vehicles from 1926 until today. Heel Verlag, Königswinter 2004. ISBN 3-89880-211-6
  • Hans-Karl Lange: Maserati. The other Italian sports car . Vienna 1993, ISBN 3-552-05102-3

Web links

Commons : Maserati 228  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Lange: Maserati. The other Italian sports car. P. 70.
  2. ↑ Auto Catalog No. 34 (1990/91), p. 205.
  3. ↑ cf. www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk
  4. ↑ z. B. David Sparrow, Iain Ayre: Maserati Heritage. From the Osprey Classic Marques series, Auckland 1995. ISBN 1-85532-441-5 .