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Maserati Merak: Difference between revisions
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{| border= | {| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile" | ||
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;" | |||
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Mase0120.jpg|300px]] | |||
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;" | |||
! colspan=2 | '''Maserati Merak''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Maserati]] | |||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |||
| aka | |||
| [[Maserati]] | | Merak 2000<br> Merak SS | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Production | |||
| | | 1974 - 1982 | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Class | |||
| | | [[Supercar]] | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Body Style | |||
| Supercar | | 2-door, 2-seat [[Coupe]] | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Length | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|- | |||
| | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Width | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Height | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Wheelbase | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Weight | |||
| 2866 lb (1300 kg) | |||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |||
| Transmission | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Engine | |||
| 2.0 litre [[V6]]<br>3.0 litre [[V6]] | |||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |||
| Power | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Similar | |||
| [[Lamborghini Urraco]]<br>[[Ferrari 308 GT4]] | |||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |||
| Designer | |||
| | | | ||
|} | |} | ||
The '''Maserati Merak''', introduced in 1974, was essentially a junior version of the [[Maserati Bora]]. Designed during the [[Maserati#Citroën ownership|Citroën era]] (1968-1975), the Merak featured a 3.0 L Maserati V6 (190 hp), also used in the [[Citroën SM]]. | The '''Maserati Merak''', introduced in 1974, was essentially a junior version of the [[Maserati Bora]]. Designed during the [[Maserati#Citroën ownership|Citroën era]] (1968-1975), the Merak featured a 3.0 L Maserati V6 (190 hp), also used in the [[Citroën SM]]. | ||
The [[ | The [[MR layout|mid-engined]] Merak used the Bora bodyshell, but with the extra space offered by the smaller engine used to carve out a second row of seats, suitable for children or very small adults. | ||
Other [[Citroën]] parts used for the Merak included the SM's dramatic dashboard and the | Other [[Citroën]] parts used for the Merak included the SM's dramatic dashboard and the hydraulic brake system. In 1977 these parts were supplanted by more conventional units. | ||
In 1976 [[Maserati]] introduced the slightly more powerful Merak SS. Its engine produced 220 hp (164 kW) and weight was reduced by 336 lb to 3,086 lb (by 152 kg to 1,400 kg), resulting in a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h). | In 1976 [[Maserati]] introduced the slightly more powerful Merak SS. Its engine produced 220 hp (164 kW) and weight was reduced by 336 lb to 3,086 lb (by 152 kg to 1,400 kg), resulting in a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h). | ||
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The Merak went out of production in 1982. | The Merak went out of production in 1982. | ||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Merak.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Television appearances== | == Television appearances== | ||
Jeremy Clarkson purchased a Maserati Merak on the BBC television show | Jeremy Clarkson purchased a Maserati Merak on the BBC television show Top Gear for £7000 in a challenge. The challenge was to buy Italian cars for less than £10,000; unfortunately for Clarkson, he was the first to retire because the engine had destroyed itself. His car was badged as an SS edition, though when he looked at the service records, he found out that the previous owner had just applied the badge to the car. This car is now being broken at the Italian Supercar breakers yard "Euro Spares". | ||
==See Also== | |||
*[[Maserati Bora]] | |||
*[[Lamborghini Urraco]] | |||
*[[Ferrari 308]] | |||
{{Maserati}} | {{Maserati}} | ||
[[Category:Maserati | [[Category:Maserati Vehicles|Merak]] | ||
[[Category:MR | [[Category:MR Layout Vehicles]] | ||
[[Category:Sports | [[Category:Sports Cars]] | ||
[[Category:Rear | [[Category:Rear Wheel Drive Vehicles]] | ||
[[Category:1970s | [[Category:1970s Automobiles]] | ||
[[Category:1980s | [[Category:1980s Automobiles]] |
Latest revision as of 23:33, 6 August 2007
Maserati Merak | |
---|---|
Maserati | |
aka | Merak 2000 Merak SS |
Production | 1974 - 1982 |
Class | Supercar |
Body Style | 2-door, 2-seat Coupe |
Length | |
Width | |
Height | |
Wheelbase | |
Weight | 2866 lb (1300 kg) |
Transmission | |
Engine | 2.0 litre V6 3.0 litre V6 |
Power | |
Similar | Lamborghini Urraco Ferrari 308 GT4 |
Designer |
The Maserati Merak, introduced in 1974, was essentially a junior version of the Maserati Bora. Designed during the Citroën era (1968-1975), the Merak featured a 3.0 L Maserati V6 (190 hp), also used in the Citroën SM.
The mid-engined Merak used the Bora bodyshell, but with the extra space offered by the smaller engine used to carve out a second row of seats, suitable for children or very small adults.
Other Citroën parts used for the Merak included the SM's dramatic dashboard and the hydraulic brake system. In 1977 these parts were supplanted by more conventional units.
In 1976 Maserati introduced the slightly more powerful Merak SS. Its engine produced 220 hp (164 kW) and weight was reduced by 336 lb to 3,086 lb (by 152 kg to 1,400 kg), resulting in a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h).
In 1977 Maserati introduced another version of the Merak called Merak 2000, which featured a 2.0 L V6 with 170 hp (127 kW). This version was built for the Italian market where a newly introduced tax law penalized cars with an engine capacity of more than 2000 cc.
Aesthetically, the Merak differed from the otherwise identical Bora mainly in sporting glassless flying buttresses instead of the Bora's fully glassed rear.
The Merak went out of production in 1982.
Gallery
Television appearances
Jeremy Clarkson purchased a Maserati Merak on the BBC television show Top Gear for £7000 in a challenge. The challenge was to buy Italian cars for less than £10,000; unfortunately for Clarkson, he was the first to retire because the engine had destroyed itself. His car was badged as an SS edition, though when he looked at the service records, he found out that the previous owner had just applied the badge to the car. This car is now being broken at the Italian Supercar breakers yard "Euro Spares".
See Also