After 13 years of loyal service, the Biturbo's career slowly drew to a close between 1992 and 1994. To replace Pierangelo Andreani's designs, Alejandro De Tomaso picked a design by Marcello Gandini. This design was delivered only a few months after the Shamal came into existence, and like that car, the initial study had slanted rear wheel arches. De Tomaso rejected this detail though the new Ghibli still appears to be a big Shamal in many ways. The track width between the two wheels is increased by 6 cm compared to Andreani's Biturbo, ensuring better stability. The wings are very rounded, the doors a little inward. The trunk is very high, like on the Shamal, and the rear window is positioned a bit more horizontal.

The prestigious name "Ghibli" is an unmistakable part of Maserati history. And to call this "bodybuilt muscle car" of the 90s by the same name was without a doubt inappropriate. But Alejandro De Tomaso needed to improve his new products' prestige as much as possible. Once more, the company's very survival was at stake, and, despite accusations of "name spoofing", the chunky little girl skilled in bodybuilding with her broad shoulders and hips carried the same badge as her grandmother in the 60s and 70s, back when she was positively a model. A big contrast to the finesse of 1966! However, despite the difference in the design concept, Ghibli II lived up to its noble name through its superior dynamic behaviour.
The highpoint of the Ghibli II came with the 'Selenia Ghibli Open Cup' series, which was a single-make championship that ran for two seasons, 1995 and 1996.

There were two special series of Ghibli II: the Cup, a "Stradale" version of the racing Open Cup, and the Primatist, born to celebrate the water speed record set in 1996 by the boat Primatist (216 km/h average over one kilometre, 229 km/h peak) equipped with a Ghibli Open Cup engine.

Body

Two doors, 2+2 coupé, wheelbase 2.51 m (like the Biturbo), monocoque designed by Marcello Gandini.

The air intakes under the fog lights were used by the air intake/intercoolers, which were positioned very low and to the side, further optimizing the cooling of the air.

Engine

The Ghibli II offered 2 engines: a 2.0 litre Biturbo V6 4 valve producing 306 bhp or a 2.8 litre Biturbo V6, the same as the 430 4v and 222 4v delivering 285 bhp. Surprisingly the larger engine was less powerful than the 2.0 litre.

Ghibli non-ABS:
V6 2.0 litre - 306 bhp or V6 2.8 litre - 285 bhp
With the Ranger differential, capable of 265/260 km/h
from 1992 to 1993

Ghibli ABS Model Year 94:
V6 2.0 litre - 306 bhp or V6 2.8 litre- 285 bhp
With the Ranger differential on rear tubular subframe, capable of 265/260 km/h
from 1994 to 1995

884 cars were produced in 2.0 litre and 847 cars in 2.8 litres
from 1992 to 1996, including Non-ABS and ABS MY94

Ghibli GT:
V6 2.0 litre -306 bhp or V6 2.8 litre - 285 bhp
With the ZF differential on rear tubular subframe, capable of 265/260 km/h
166 units in 2.0 litre and 212 units in 2.8 litres
from 1996 to 1998

Ghibli Open Cup:
V6 2.0 litre with 320 bhp in 1995 and 330 bhp in 1996
With the ZF differential on rear tubular subframe, capable of 270/280 km/h
Only 25 units in 1995 and 1996

Ghibli Cup:
V6 2.0 litre with 330 bhp or V6 2.8 litre - 285 bhp
With the ZF differential on a rear tubular subframe, capable of 275/260 km/h
Only 60 units in 2.0 litre and 27 units in 2.8 litre.
from 1995 to 1997

Ghibli Primatist:
V6 2 litres - 306 bhp
With ZF differential on a rear tubular subframe, capable of 265 km/h
Just 34 cars were made in 1996 and 1997

One of the main competitors of the Ghibli II was the BMW M3 with its near perfection. A logical but conventional choice. For anyone who loves risk and beautiful cars, the Maserati Ghibli represents an original possibility that comes with solid performances. But you should not expect to find the rigour of that of the German in the behaviour of the Italian.

The differences are mainly subjective at this esoteric level. The Ghibli has much more soul than the M3, but the BMW is an infinitely more sensible choice. You become involved with the Ghibli on every level, using every nerve of every sense to appreciate its virtues. The M3 is merely a G-creator by comparison. But for some folk, that's just what the doctor ordered. It's interesting that when this car was new, the most common car traded in part exchange by customers buying Ghiblis was the old M3. Kind of says it all.

Credits go to Alido Fongione, Philippe Murari and Andy Heywood for their contributions to this page.
Photography by Onno Hesselink.

Feel free to send info or anecdotes on all Biturbos to info@classichemasters.com.