222 - 1988 to 1990
Introduced in 1988 at the Turin Motor Show as the replacement/upgrade for the Biturbo, the 222 was facelifted by the now free-lance Marcello Gandini with a rounder nose, new wing mirrors and a rear spoiler. All these modifications helped improve the aerodynamics of the car.
The 222 name indicated the 2 door body style, 2-litre engine displacement and 2nd step of the Biturbo evolution.
The interior materials were a mix of velvet cloth, leather and wood trim. The seats' ergonomics had been revised, and leather seats were available as an option. Included in the base spec were the air con and central locking. The rear boot lid could be opened electrically from a switch on the dashboard, while the classic Maserati central watch now had its own full illumination.
Technical data
| 0-60 mph | 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 sec. |
| Bodywork | three-box two-door coupé seating five |
| Bore and stroke | 82x63 mm |
| Brakes | discs all round, dual circuit, servo-assisted, additional drums on rear wheels for handbrake |
| Brakes front | |
| Brakes rear | |
| Chassis | monocoque steel contruction |
| Compression ratio | 7.8:1 |
| Cooling system | water-cooled, centrifugal pump |
| Displacements (unitary) | |
| Dry weight | 2,584 lbs (1,172 kg) |
| Engine | 90° V6 |
| Engine weight | |
| First race | |
| Front Tyres | |
| Front suspension | MacPherson struts, dual-rate telescopic dampers, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Front track | 56.77 in. (1442 mm) |
| Fuel & lubricant | |
| Fuel feed | electronically controlled injection, two IHI water-cooled turbos, two air-to-air intercoolers |
| Fuel tank | 17.58 Imp. gal. (80 litres) |
| Gear ratios | |
| Height | 49.41 in. (1,255 mm) |
| Ignition | electronic ignition, constant overboost |
| Kerb weight | |
| Length | 163.50 in. (4,153 mm) |
| Length-Width-Height | |
| Lubrication | full-flow filter lubrication |
| Maximum power | 220 hp at 6,250 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 26.7 kgm (193 lbs/ft) at 3,500 rpm |
| Model | 222 |
| One mile | 0 to 1000m. in 26.3 sec. |
| Production dates | 1988-1990 |
| Production start | 1988 |
| Quarter mile | |
| Rear Tyres | |
| Rear suspension | semi-trailing rear arms mounted on a rear subframe, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Rear track | 57.09 in. (1450 mm) |
| Reduction | |
| Steering | mechanical rack and pinion |
| Timing gear | three valves per cylinder (two intake, one exhaust), twin overhead camshafts |
| Top speed | over 140 mph (225 km/h) |
| Total displacement | 1,996 cc |
| Transmission | 5-speed ZF + reverse, rear-wheel drive, Maserati Torsen differential. |
| Tyres | fr/rear 205/55 VR 14 |
| Weight distribution | |
| Wheelbase | 98.97 in. (2,514 mm) |
| Wheels | alloy, 6.5" J x 14" |
| Width | 67.48 in. (1,714 mm) |