Maserati Kyalami

Maserati Kyalami
Overview
Manufacturer	Maserati
Production	1977-1983
Designer	Pietro Frua[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer (S)
Body style	4-seat coupé
Related	De Tomaso Longchamp
Powertrain
Engine	4.2 and 4.9 L V8 petrol
Transmission	5-speed ZF manual 3-speed Borg Warner automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (102 in)
Length	4,610 mm (181 in)
Width	1,870 mm (74 in)
Height	1,320 mm (52 in)
Curb weight	1,670 kg (3,680 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Maserati Mexico
Successor	Maserati 228

The Maserati Kyalami (Tipo 129) was a four-seat GT coupé produced by Italian manufacturer Maserati from 1976 to 1983.

Following a Maserati tradition – started with the Sebring – the car was named after a racing track where the Trident's cars had triumphed: the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa.

The Kyalami was the first new model developed under the Alejandro de Tomaso ownership; it was derived from, and mechanically virtually identical (except for some body panels) to the Longchamp, a three-box grand tourer made by De Tomaso Automobili. Pietro Frua was commissioned from De Tomaso the restyling of the Tom Tjaarda-designed Longchamp, to give the new car a distinctive Maserati feel; the interior was also upgraded to incorporate classic Maserati elements such the steering wheel and instrumentation. A Maserati four overhead camshaft 90° V8 was utilized to power the car, as opposed to the American-sourced Ford V8 which was used in the Longchamp.

Comparison between the front end of the De Tomaso Longchamp (top) and Maserati Kyalami (bottom).

The Kyalami was launched at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show and was initially powered by a 265 PS (195 kW) 4.2 litre engine.^[1] Starting in 1978, an enlarged version of 4.9 litre displacement delivering 290 PS (213 kW) was also available. Both engines were coupled with a ZF five-speed manual transmission or upon request a three-speed Borg Warner automatic. Mechanically the Kyalami was closely related to its contemporary Quattroporte, which was also offered with the same engines and gearboxes.

Rear view.

210 Kyalamis^[2] were built between 1976 and 1983. Due to its rarity very little in the way of performance tests etc. was written in the various international magazines about the Kyalami. The performance offered by the bore 4.9 litre V8 which was added later in the model's lifespan was characterized by increased power as well as torque over the previous 4.2 litre unit.

References

1. "Special Bodies: Illustrations and technical information", World Cars 1977, Pelham, NY: The Automobile Club of Italy/Herald Books: 20, ISBN 0-910714-09-6
2. Page at Enrico Maserati website

Sources

• Cancellieri, Gianni; al. (2003). Maserati. Catalogue Raisonné 1926-2003. Milan: Automobilia. ISBN 88-7960-151-2.