Performance Review: Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati 3200 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Maserati 3200 has a 3217cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 3200 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3200'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 1587 kgs (3498 lbs) this makes the Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati 3200 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3217cc 32V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 362 lb-ft (490.8 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Maserati 3200 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Mercedes C Class 63 S AMG Cabriolet (261.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati 3200.

The Maserati 3200 has a Power to weight ratio of 236.2 bhp per ton and 228.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 3200 competing with the 2016 Mercedes C Class 63 S AMG Cabriolet (261.2 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Lotus Exige 240 R (261.2 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 3200 generating around 228.1 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 2005 Ford Mustang Cobra GT500 (253.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1994 Ferrari 512 M (252.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3200 and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Maserati 3200 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.2 secs @ 103.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (13.14 secs), the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (13.15 secs), and the 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 7.4 V8 Sports Coupe 365 (13.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 3200 equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Maserati 3200 GT FH 3.2 Turbo then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S PDK 991 (185 mph).

Related Links:

1998 3200 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison