Performance Review: Maserati 430 2.8 V6 - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati 430 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati 430 2.8 V6 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 430 has a 2790cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The 430 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 430'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 1180 kgs (2601 lbs) this makes the Maserati 430 2.8 V6 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati 430 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 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 275 lb-ft (372.8 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Maserati 430 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati 430.

The Maserati 430 has a Power to weight ratio of 211.8 bhp per ton and 233.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 430 competing with the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 (236.4 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 430 generating around 233.0 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 2013 Audi A7 RS7 Sportback Twin Turbo (258.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 BMW 5 Series M5 F10 (258.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Maserati 430 2.8 V6 as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 DSG (5.70 secs). This Maserati 430 2.8 V6 is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 430 and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Maserati 430 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.77 secs @ 99.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Maserati 430 2.8 V6 has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 430 equals the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6 then how about the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph), the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (160 mph), or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (160 mph).

Related Links:

1988 430 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison