Masters perfected by Maserati Biturbo/Motor1
Just when you think you've seen it all when it comes to restmods, here comes another one. This time someone upgraded the Maserati Biturbo.
And this is not just a Biturbo, but a rare Shamal model that was produced in the 1990s. At least that's what Modena Automobili evokes in Italian outsiders with its boxy, muscular interpretation. The prototype we see here began life as a Biturbo coupe from 1983, writes Motor1.
The car was simply called Maserati Biturbo Shamal Restomod. The car's iconic shape is largely preserved, including the flared fenders and the odd spoiler that sits in front of the windshield. Only the strange inclined arches of the rear wheels, the design handwriting of Marcello Gandini, who had a hand in creating the original Shamal, have not survived.
Modena Automobili adds a new front end with a lowered grille, enlarged air intakes and a splitter. LED headlights are installed, which flow into a new hood that pays homage to the classic Shamal with a pair of air vents.
Moving back, you'll see a new rear fascia that retains the quad exhaust motif. An aggressive diffuser sits between them, and Modena Automobili added new taillights on top. The large spoiler on the sides bends downwards, connecting with the fresh body, giving the restomod more thickness and height.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000
As you would expect, the body is mainly made of carbon fiber, with the addition of steel. Interior images aren't available yet, but we're told to expect a digital instrument cluster that will retain the Shamal's oval design. New Recaro seats are part of the plan, although that could become a problem due to Recaro's bankruptcy earlier this year.
Beneath the updated skin, this old Biturbo borrows most of its powertrain from the new Ghibli. This contains a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that has been tuned to 500 horsepower here. It's sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission using a Ghibli-sourced driveshaft and differential.
Brembo brakes are mounted on all four corners, with 13.5-inch discs in the front and 13.0-inch discs in the rear. The Biturbo suspension retained the previous design, but received adjusted springs and struts. A new rear subframe and 18-inch wheels make the upgrade as efficient as possible.
Modena Automobili plans to release 33 “highly customized” Biturbo Restomods, each of which will cost around $638,000. It's not yet clear when production will begin, as the company is still finalizing the details of the prototype, which can be seen here. This should be completed by the spring of 2025.