Tipo V8RI - 1935-1936
The name V8RI refers to this car's V8 engine and independent suspension. Maserati built the car, which positively brimmed with new features, to fight back against the might of the German rivals. The architecture of the 4700cc engine was unusual, because of the 90° vee arrangement of the eight cylinders. The chassis was made of light alloy and all four wheels were independently sprung.
A desire for optimal weight distribution led to the gearbox being mounted in block with the diff., overhanging the rear axle. The aerodynamics of the bodywork were better designed too, and incurred less drag. Nonetheless, the new rear suspension was to create serious stability problems for the car, which only won the 1936 Pau Grand Prix.
Technical data
| 0-60 mph | |
| Bodywork | aluminium-bodied single seater |
| Bore and stroke | 84x108 mm |
| Brakes | hydraulic drum brakes on the wheels |
| Brakes front | |
| Brakes rear | |
| Chassis | ladder frame, with two longitudinal steel girders and cross members |
| Compression ratio | 5:1 |
| Cooling system | water-cooled, centrifugal pump |
| Displacements (unitary) | |
| Dry weight | 1,653 lbs (750 kg) |
| Engine | 90° V8 |
| Engine weight | |
| First race | 1935 Pau Grand Prix |
| Front Tyres | |
| Front suspension | independent front suspension, torsion bars, friction dampers |
| Front track | |
| Fuel & lubricant | |
| Fuel feed | Roots supercharger, two Weber 55 carburettors mounted ahead of the supercharger |
| Fuel tank | 39.59 Imp. gall. (180 litres) |
| Gear ratios | |
| Height | 49.21 in. (1,250 mm) |
| Ignition | single-plug, Bosch or Scintilla magneto |
| Kerb weight | |
| Length | 152.16 in. (3,865 mm) |
| Length-Width-Height | |
| Lubrication | dual oil pumps (pressure and scavenge) |
| Maximum power | 320 bhp at 5,300 rpm |
| Maximum torque | |
| Model | V8RI |
| One mile | |
| Production dates | 1935-1936 |
| Production start | 1935 |
| Quarter mile | |
| Rear Tyres | |
| Rear suspension | independent rear suspension, leaf springs, friction dampers |
| Rear track | |
| Reduction | |
| Steering | worm and sector |
| Timing gear | two vertical valves per cylinder, sohc per cylinder bank |
| Top speed | 168-174 mph (270-280 km/h) |
| Total displacement | 4,788.1 cc |
| Transmission | 4-speed + reverse in unit with differential |
| Tyres | |
| Weight distribution | |
| Wheelbase | 100.78 in (2,560 mm) |
| Wheels | wire wheels, front 3.00x18; rear 4.00x18 |
| Width | 58.66 in. (1,490 mm) |