MASERATI BARCHETTA

SPECIFICATIONS

- YEAR : 1992
- KILOMETRES : -
- POWER : 315 HP
- CILINDRATE : 2 000 cm³
- FUEL : PETROL/PETROL
- GEAR BOX : manual
- CYLINDERS : 6
- OUTSIDE : red
- INTERIOR : black

CHARACTERISTICS

- 1 of 17 produced
- Maserati Classiche" certified
- Single-make championship winner

Created in 1991 under the management of Alejandro De Tomaso, the Maserati Barchetta Stradale represents the Trident's attempt to rediscover its racing soul after the difficult Biturbo period. Designed by Carlo Gaino (Synthesis Design) and inspired by the legendary Tipo 65 Birdcage, this car was conceived for an exclusive one-make championship dedicated to 'gentleman drivers'.

The project was all about lightness and purity of drive: based on a sophisticated aluminium boxed chassis inherited from the Chubasco prototype, the Barchetta boasted a composite and honeycomb bodywork that stopped the needle of the scales at just 775 kg.

Mechanically, the beating heart was a mid-mounted 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with 315 bhp derived from the Ghibli, capable of propelling the car over 300 km/h through a six-speed manual gearbox. Despite its technical excellence and sleek design characterised by the absence of a windscreen and massive rear end, the project was not as successful as hoped due to complex commercial management.