19771983 Maserati Kyalami
In the first year under Alejandro De Tomaso’s leadership, Maserati unveiled a new model called the Kyalami which shared its basic layout and elements with the De Tomaso Longchamp coupé.
Powered by Maserati’s reliable 4.2 V8, the Kyalami was seen as a transition model while the new management formulated their future plans. Even so, it proved worthy of the Trident badge.
Unveiled at the 1976 Geneva motor show, it revived a notchback four-seater coupé philosophy which had been discontinued with the last Mexico four years earlier, and fittingly took its name from the South-African race track where Pedro Rodriguez won the 1967 F1 Grand Prix driving a Cooper-Maserati T81. The Kyalami was Pietro Frua’s last creation for Maserati, crowning a successful collaboration initiated 25 years earlier.
The 4.2 litre V8 produced 265 hp (later reduced to 253 hp with a new exhaust) powering the Khamsin to a top speed of 235 kph (146 mph). The sub-frame mounted independent rear suspension descended from the Khamsin, with disc brakes installed.
4.9
The Kyalami appealed to a clientele favouring comfort and understated elegance for long journeys. The ride was supple and the interior was plush, with Connolly leather enrobing the seats, suede covering the dashboard and thick carpets completing the picture. Out of 200 Kyalamis produced, 25 were specified with a 3-speed automatic Borg-Warner gearbox. The model remained in production until 1983 after which the Maserati range would remain without a V8 coupé until 1990 and the arrival of the Shamal.
Story by Maserati S.p.A.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1977 – 1983 |
| built at | Modena, Italy |
| production | 200 |
| engine | 90° V8 |
| ignition | Electronic Ignition |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 4 Weber 42 DCNF Carburetors |
| displacement | 4930 cc / 300.8 in³ |
| bore | 93.9 mm / 3.7 in |
| stroke | 89 mm / 3.5 in |
| compression | 8.5:1 |
| power | 208.8 kw / 280.0 bhp @ 5600 rpm |
| specific output | 56.8 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 160.0 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 423.0 nm / 312 ft lbs @ 3800 rpm |
| redline | 6500 |
| wheel type | Cast Aluminum Alloy |
| front tires | 205/70 VR 15 XDX Michelin Tubeless |
| rear tires | 205/70 VR 15 XDX Michelin Tubeless |
| front brakes | Vented Discs |
| rear brakes | Vented Discs |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 19.1 cm / 15 x 7.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 19.1 cm / 15 x 7.5 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers |
| curb weight | 1750 kg / 3859 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2600 mm / -1.0 in |
| front track | 1520 mm / 59.8 in |
| rear track | 1520 mm / 59.8 in |
| length | 4610 mm / 181.5 in |
| width | 1870 mm / 73.6 in |
| height | 1320 mm / 52.0 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single Dry Plate |
| gear ratios | 2.99:1, 1.90:1, 1.32:1, 1.00:1, 0.89:1 |
| final drive | 3.54:1 |
| top speed | ~241.35 kph / 150 mph |
| 0 – 100 kph | ~7.6 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 100 litres or 26.40 gal. |
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