Performance Review: Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati Merak Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Maserati Merak has a 1999cc 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 Merak 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 Merak'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 1160 kgs (2557 lbs) this makes the Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati Merak shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1999cc 12V V6 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 137 lb-ft (185.7 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati Merak.

The Maserati Merak has a Power to weight ratio of 144.8 bhp per ton and 118.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Merak competing with the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (169.8 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 Merak generating around 118.1 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 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (143.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1988 Vauxhall-Opel Kadett 2.0 16V GSi (142.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.5 secs, this made the Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 as fast as the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs). This Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the and the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Merak and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion

When talking about the performance of the Maserati Merak on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.63 secs @ 87.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs), and the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 Merak equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Maserati Merak 2.0 V6 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Merak Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison