Designed to replace the Indy, and also partially the Ghibli,
the Khamsin (Tipo 120) was first shown at the Turin Motorshow in prototype form in 1972. Mechanically the new car borrowed heavily from the Indy,
using a conventional front mounted V8 driving the rear wheels layout, with the relatively new-to-Maserati
independent double wishbone suspension all round. The body, a 2+2 coupe,
was designed by Gandini, then working at Bertone. Citroens influence included
the use of high pressure (2,500psi from an engine driven pump) hydraulics
for seat adjustment, pop-up headlight raising, power steering, clutch and feel-free brakes.
Unfortunately, a neat design and good performance were not enough
to make the Khamsin the success Maserati needed. The Citroen influenced steering and brakes, combined with an oil crisis and resulting high fuel prices, on
top of an extremely high price meant few new cars found homes. Production was delayed and first began in 1974, and by the time production
stopped in 1982 only 430 examples had been built.
Technical Details
| Engine | 4930cc (93.9x89mm) quad-cam V8 with 320bhp @ 5,500rpm
fuelled by four Weber 42 DCNF 6 carburettors |
| Suspension | front : independent with double wishbones and coil springs plus anti-roll bar
rear : independent with double wishbones and coil springs plus anti-roll bar wheelbase : 2550mm track (front/rear) : 1440mm/1470mm |
| Brakes | discs all round
Citroen hydraulic no-pedal-travel system |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual (3 speed Borg Warner automatic available as option from 1975)
Limited slip differential optional Tyres : 215/70 VR15 front & rear |
| Steering | Rack and pinion
With Citroen hydraulic power assist (and self-centering), 2 turns lock to lock |
| Kerb weight | 1680kg |
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