- Responsive 2.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engines
- Impressive dynamics
- Dated styling
- High maintenance costs
Overview
Released in Australia in March 1989, the Maserati 228 was a mid-size, luxury coupe. Manufactured in Modena, Italy, and styled by Pierangelo Andreani, the Maserati 228 was powered by a 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine with two water-cooled IHI turbochargers, a single overhead cam, three valves per cylinder and Weber electronic injection and ignition. The 228 was fitted with a five-speed ZF manual transmission, though a four-speed automatic transmission could also be ordered.
Although based on Maserati’s Biturbo range, the 228 was differentiated by its larger 2.8-litre engine, more luxurious interior and longer wheelbase. As such, the 228 was 4460 mm long, 1865 mm wide, 1330 mm tall and had a 2600 mm long wheelbase (compared to 2514 mm for the Biturbo).
The 228’s front suspension consisted of MacPherson struts with an anti-roll bar and hydraulic shock absorbers with coil springs; at the rear, the 228 had semi-trailing arms mounted with Bilstein gas shock absorbers and coil springs.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228 | 2.8-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
168 kW at 5500 rpm | 371 Nm at 3500 rpm |
Safety equipment
The 228 was not fitted with any safety equipment such as ABS or airbags.
Features
Standard features for the Maserati 228 included 15-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 VR 15 MXV tyres, a radio and cassette player, climate control air conditioning, air conditioning, leather upholstery, central locking and power windows.
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