Ghibli Primatist - 1996 to 1997

In 1996, the aluminium V6 from the Ghibli Cup was selected by Bruno Abbate's Primatist / Special Team to power an attempt against the running kilometre's World Speed Record on water, 5000cc class. Despite its capacity of just 2 litres, the Maserati engine was deemed powerful enough and suitable for the attempt due to its light construction and compact dimensions. The record was easily broken on the beautiful lake Lugano on November 4th, 1996, at an average speed of 216,703 km/h.

To mark the accomplishment, Maserati promptly introduced a specially limited version of the Ghibli, dubbed Ghibli Primatist after the boat's name. Unchanged though the mechanicals were, the model was unique in its colour and trim configuration. The exterior colour was a special shade of ultramarine blue, with specific insignia on the flanks behind the doors. The colour theme followed on the inside, with two tones of blue leather underlined by darker Alcantara roof-lining and door panels. Thick carpets were added, and bright wood inserts completed the trim.

Though from a mechanical point of view the 3200GT and Quattroporte IV still owed something to the Biturbo breed, in all effects the Ghibli Primatist was the last model of the Biturbo family ever introduced. A rather nice way of closing an industrial venture which -under Alejandro De Tomaso's spirited guidance- kept Maserati constantly at the forefront of the automobile scene and was spread over two decades, 40 model names and 38000 cars produced. Of this total, just 60 accounted as Ghibli Primatists.