Performance Review: Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati 222 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Maserati 222 has a 2790cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 222 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 222's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1172 kgs (2583 lbs) this makes the Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati 222 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2790cc 18V V6 engine produces 222 bhp (165 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V6 throws out 268 lb-ft (363.3 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Maserati 222 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch (214.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati 222.

The Maserati 222 has a Power to weight ratio of 189.4 bhp per ton and 228.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 222 competing with the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch (214.2 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 (214.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Maserati 222 generating around 228.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (253.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 (253.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (6.10 secs). This Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 222 and the 1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 - Classic

When talking about the performance of the Maserati 222 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.29 secs @ 95.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 - Classic (14.22 secs), the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (14.22 secs), and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (14.22 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 222 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

1988 222 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison