Guide: Maserati 3200 GT & GTA
Background
Maserati’s Biturbo era began in 1981 as an attempt to turn the company into a mass market rival for the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The Biturbo was the brainchild of Alejandro de Tomaso who had taken ownership of Maserati in 1975. Backed by a substantial government loan, de Tomaso rescued the company from liquidation after previous custodian, Citroen, was declared bankrupt owing to the poor trading conditions of the 1970s.
In addition to taking Maserati mainstream, the Biturbo would also spearhead the firm’s return to the US market. However, after a strong initial couple of years, sales tapered off dramatically.
A bewildering array of spin off models emerged over the next 17 years to include V6 and V8-powered offerings in Coupe, Convertible and Saloon body styles. Unfortunately though, few of these variants could legitimately be classed as adequate replacements for the illustrious machinery that had emerged from Maserati’s Bologna factory in the decades prior.
When global economies turned sour again in 1990, de Tomaso sold a 50% stake in Maserati to Fiat. Three years later, Fiat acquired the remaining 50% to become Maserati’s sole owner.
Five years after Fiat had taken full control, Maserati finally unveiled a long-awaited clean sheet replacement for the Biturbo line which had by this time morphed into the second generation Ghibli.
Announced in July 1998, the brand new Tipo 338 3200 GT was a front-engined four-seat Grand Tourer styled by Ital Design and powered by a twin turbocharged V8.
A production-ready example was presented to the press in September 1998 and the car made its public debut a month later at the Paris Motor Show.
Deliveries began in March 1999.
Chassis
The 3200 GT was based around a steel unibody structure with a 2660mm wheelbase. Tubular subframes supported the drivetrain at the front and the suspension and differential at the rear.
Suspension was via double wishbones with forged aluminium control arms and uprights, coaxial aluminium-shelled dampers and coil springs. Anti-roll bars were fitted at either end.
The brake system was supplied by Brembo. Cross-drilled and ventilated discs and four-piston calipers were fitted all round. The discs had a 330mm diameter at the front and 310mm diameter at the back. There was also a four channel Anti-lock Brake System.
Switchable Bosch 5.3 ASR traction control offered a choice of Normal and Sport driving modes.
18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels were 8-inches wide up front and 9.5-inches wide at the back. Most cars left the factory on Michelin tyres.
A 90-litre fuel tank was fitted over the rear axle.
Engine / Gearbox
At the heart of the new model was an uprated Tipo AM 585 version of the engine found in the Quattroporte Evoluzione.
The all-alloy twin turbocharged V8 displaced 3217cc thanks to an 80mm bore and stroke. It incorporated dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, wet-sump lubrication, a crossplane crankshaft and drive-by-wire electronic throttle control.
As per the Quattroporte, two intercooled IHI RHF5B turbochargers ran at 1 bar. However, there was a new engine management system (Magnetti Marelli 4CM instead of Weber Marelli MPFi) and the compression ratio was increased from 7.3:1 to 8.0:1.
As a result, peak output went from 330bhp at 6400rpm to 370bhp at 6250rpm. The torque rating was now 362lb-ft at 4500rpm as opposed to 332lb-ft at 4400rpm.
Transmission was through a Getrag 226 six-speed manual gearbox, a single-plate Sachs clutch and limited-slip differential.
Bodywork
Maserati commissioned Ital Design to style the 3200 GT’s predominantly steel exterior.
The front featured a long sloping hood with covered headlights. By this stage, the old-fashioned trend for pop-up mechanisms had all but disappeared.
The only brightwork was a Maserati trident, a traditionally-shaped surround for the primary intake aperture, a Maserati script on the tail above an upper licence plate trim and four exhaust outlets.
Down each flank were bulbous fenders which covered the handsome wheels. The side glass was given an elegant teardrop profile.
Undoubtedly the 3200 GT’s most distinctive feature was its boomerang LED rear lights mounted on the Kamm tail fascia.
Interior
The elegant interior was equipped to a very high specification with full leather upholstery, automatic climate control, electric front seats, an array of airbags, remote central locking, electric windows and electric mirrors.
All the instrumentation was housed in a curvaceous binnacle that formed part of a voluptuous dash. In the centre were two banks of warning lights flanked by a large speedometer and rev counter. At the extremities were smaller read outs for oil pressure, water temperature, battery condition and fuel.
The centre console was home to an analogue clock, the ventilation system, stereo and most of the switchgear.
Well-cushioned seats came with fluted centres, bolstered backs and separate headrests.
The upper dash, steering wheel and front armrests were typically upholstered in black leather while the rest of the cockpit was trimmed in the customer’s colour of choice.
The interior was spacious enough for four adults, All round visibility and design ergonomics were to a high standard.
Options
In addition to custom paint and interior shades, optional extras included Aluminium Grey or Red brake calipers, Connolly leather, perforated leather, heated memory front seats, satellite navigation, an uprated audio system, a four or five piece set of fitted luggage, a gold analogue clock, carbonfibre or wood interior kits, an Electrochromic rear-view mirror, an additional rear storage compartment, customised door sills, a space saver wheel and a fire extinguisher.
Weight / Performance
The 3200 GT weighed in at 1587kg. It had a top speed of 174mph, a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds and was quicker around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track than a 550 Maranello.
3200 GTA
At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, Maserati unveiled an automatic 3200 known as the GTA. It used a conventional four-speed M72LE torque converter gearbox supplied by BTR.
At 1617kg, the GTA was 30kg heavier than the manual variant. It was also 5% more expensive.
Top speed dropped to 168mph and 0-62mph took 5.7 seconds.
Deliveries began in June 1999.
2001 Model Year Production Changes
In September 2000, a number of changes were ushered in for the 2001 model year.
Upgrades included improved steering with a re-geared rack, a re-tuned engine management system that reduced turbo lag and a warranty extended from two to three years.
Assetto Corsa
Maserati added a limited edition Assetto Corsa handling pack to the options list at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2001.
It was announced that 250 examples would be built, but 259 are believed to have eventually been completed.
Available in both GT and GTA trim, the Assetto Corsa was offered in a choice of three standard colours: Grigio Touring, Nero Carbonario and Rosso Mondiale.
Chassis upgrades included ride height lowered by 15mm, stiffer springs, a thicker front anti-roll bar, racing brake pads, a new quick response steering servo, soft compound Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, red brake calipers and dark grey or silver 15-spoke BBS wheels. The traction control system could now be turned off.
There was also an electronic damping system that allowed automatic adjustment of each individual gas damper depending on the level of vertical and lateral acceleration. Data was processed from a set of sensors and the suspension automatically adjusted to one of 14 different settings.
Inside, each car came with perforated Connolly leather interior, red stitching, ergonomic sport pedals and sill panels with Assetto Corsa branding.
163 were built with the Getrag six-speed manual gearbox and 96 with the automatic four-speed BTR transmission.
End of Production
Production of the manual 3200 GT was discontinued in late 2001 and the GTA followed in early 2002.
In total, 4795 were built, 2689 of which were manual and 2106 with the automatic gearbox.
The 3200 was subsequently replaced by the 4.2-litre normally aspirated Maserati Coupe which was most easily identifiable on account of its boxy new tail lights.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Maserati - https://maserati.com
