Maserati Khamsin

The Maserati Khamsin is an iconic sports car produced by the Italian automaker Maserati from 1973 to 1982. It was developed to cater to traditionalist customers dissatisfied with the mid-engine sports cars introduced under Citroën’s influence, following their acquisition of Maserati in 1968. Designed under the supervision of engineer Giulio Alfieri and styled by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Khamsin debuted as a prototype at the Turin Motor Show in 1972 and was unveiled as a production model at the Geneva Motor Show in March the following year. Its name is derived from the hot desert wind of Egypt, symbolizing its power and prowess. Visually, the Khamsin featured a sharp-edged 2+2 grand tourer body design, characterized by unique styling elements such as the asymmetric grille on the hood for hot air ventilation and the transparent rear panel integrating the taillights and Trident logo. Under the hood, it housed a 4.9-liter dry-sump V8 engine with dual overhead camshafts, initially delivering 320 horsepower, which was later reduced to 280 horsepower in 1979 to comply with stricter US environmental and safety regulations. The Khamsin adopted a completely redesigned chassis compared to the Ghibli, featuring a steel monocoque instead of a tubular frame and independent suspension with double wishbones and anti-roll bars both at the front and rear. The 5-speed manual ZF gearbox followed the transaxle layout, with the gearbox-differential unit mounted on an auxiliary frame to isolate the cabin from vibrations. An optional Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic transmission was also available. Among its most innovative features was the hydraulic system developed by Paul Magès, similar to that used in the Citroën SM, which included variable-assist DIRAVI power steering, servo-assisted clutch, braking system, retractable headlights, and driver’s seat adjustment, all operated through a single high-pressure hydraulic circuit. Despite its excellent road manners, impressive performance (275 km/h top speed, 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds), and advancements over the beloved Ghibli, production of the Khamsin was limited to just 435 units due to the 1970s oil crisis and financial difficulties at Citroën, leading to Maserati’s liquidation in 1975. The Khamsin remained largely unchanged throughout its ten-year production run, with minor body revisions in 1977 for improved cooling and adaptations to meet US safety regulations. With its blend of high performance, distinctive design, and advanced technology, the Maserati Khamsin continues to be revered as an icon among Italian grand tourers of its era.