Performance Review: Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati Merak Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1972. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Maserati Merak has a 2965cc 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 1387 kgs (3057 lbs) this makes the Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati Merak shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2965cc 12V V6 engine produces 190 bhp (141 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 188 lb-ft (254.8 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI Performance DSG 2.0 Turbo (161.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati Merak.

The Maserati Merak has a Power to weight ratio of 136.9 bhp per ton and 135.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 Merak competing with the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI Performance DSG 2.0 Turbo (161.9 bhp per ton) or the 1965 Plymouth Barracuda S 273 (161.9 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 135.5 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 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L (160.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 BMW X5 4.8i V8 (160.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs). This Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Merak and the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen

When talking about the performance of the Maserati Merak on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.87 secs @ 86.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (15.80 secs), the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs), and the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1972 version of the Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Merak equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1972 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Merak Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison