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So if you have any news about Maseratis or have anything owners and enthusiasts should know, send details to enricomaserati@btinternet.com


Courtesy of Massimo
 
You can click on some pictures for a better view!!

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From Hisato in Japan

BITURBO FESTA 2010BITURBO FESTA 2010

The “BITURBO FESTA 2010”, an event organised for Biturbo Maserati, was held at Nippondaira in Shizuoka Japan on May 16th.

Set in the grounds of the Nippondaira Hotel, a famous scenic site in Japan often seen in many Japanese TV dramas and movies. This area is also of historic importance, and the legend of “YAMATO-TAKERUNOMIKOTO” is very famous in Japan. From these grounds can be seen panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay.

85 Biturbo Maserati gathered together on the lawn garden of the Nippondaira Hotel. With participating models ranging from the Biturbo E to the 3200 GT Assetto Corsa, the inaugural event was deemed a great success by all who attended. we set ourselves the target of assembling together an example of all Biturbo models, we missed out on just the two, the 228 and Racing.

Below is a the list of the participating models:

BITURBO E
BITURBO ES
BITURBO Si
BITURBO 425
BITURBO 430
222E
222SE
222SR
222 4v
KARIF
SHAMAL
SHAMAL CAMPANA
GHIBLI
GHIBLI CUP
GHIBLI OPEN CUP
QUATROPORTE IV
QUATROPORTE IV Evoluzione
3200 GT
3200 GT Assetto Corsa

The weekly weather forecast had predicted heavy rain for the day of our event, but as it turned out the strong expectations and desires of our participants brought about a change in the weather, and we were greeted with a most beautiful of days.

The main event took place on the Sunday May 16th, but on Saturday 15th a few of us got together to make movie of Biturbos driving.

More than 20 Biturbo Maseratis joined up for a drive along the “Nippondaira Park Way”, a good long winding road leading up to the hotel. It was an amazing experience.

For the event day, more Maseratis arrived at Nippondaira from all over Japan. One Shamal drove up from Aomori-Prefecture that is in the North of Japan, a round trip of some 2,000km.

Also a Ghibli and a Quattroporte came from Fukuoka, Kyusyu, and 22 Maserati Biturbos drove up together from Tokyo (maybe a 2 hour drive!).

When the reception started, the parking lot was almost overflowing with the assembled Biturbo Maseratis!

Following the reception, we moved with a parade run to the lawn garden.

It was fantastic to see so many colourful Biturbos assembled on the beautiful lawn garden, they resembled objets d’art on display in the gardens of a museum.

With all the models assembled We were able to realise and appreciate the great design of the original Biturbo. The design is symmetrical, stylish and all pointlessness omitted, and of course it was easy to see that Gandini had added super essence with his design of the Shamal, Ghibli and Quattroporte. Admiring the assembled cars it was fun to imagine the engineer’s thought or mind on seeing the changes made in the evolution of each model.

All the enthusiasts enjoyed a pleasant day chatting with each other about their cars, surrounded by a plethora of Biturbo models that included both rare and unusual models in a most relaxed atmosphere.

Even though the event lasted just a couple of hours, it was truly a “Paradise for the Biturbo”.

We are both happy and proud that this “Biturbo Paradise” took place in Japan, which is so far from Modena, the birthplace of the Maserati Biturbo. We know that here in Japan, there are many enthusiasts who love and are very proud of their Biturbo Maseratis!

Best Regards and thank you for your cooperation,

Organizers: Tomo & Hisato."



Maseratis on the “Nippondaira Park Way”

 


Arriving at the Nippondaira Hotel

Lining up as they make their way...


... with a parade run ...

... to the beautiful lawn garden


The Biturbo Si

The Biturbo Spyders


The Shamals

The Ghiblis


The Quattroporte IVs

The 3200 GTs


Biturbos in line for inspection !

La bandiera italiana è il Tricolore italiano: verde, bianco e rosso !!


The Quattroporte IVs

The 3200 GTs


The Ghibli Cups

The 430s, Biturbos and Biturbo Spyders


The Ghiblis

 


The Ghibli Open Cup Evo

A chance to relax and admire the cars !


Fancy Dress ?? - This Ghibli came as a Taxi !!

Maserati Shamals and a 3200 GT


Enthusiasts chat about their Maseratis ...

... whilst others admire the cars on display


The Maseratisti pose for a group photo ...

... and then it's time for lunch !


For the Maseratis, a most beautiful setting ...

... and for the Maseratisti, a relaxed atmosphere !!


Maseratis in the lawn garden of the Nippondaira Hotel

Panoramic view of the Suruga Bay

The official site of the Biturbo Festa has now added an English page at biturbo-festa.com.


 
 
 
 
From Jose in Spain

"Hello Enrico:

I send you more information about Quattroporte Funeral car.

Regards:José."

 

The Intercar Maserati Quattroporte Funeral Hearse
 
 
 
 
 
From Enrico in the UK

Alongside Maserati's V8 engine, an alternative engine based on Chrysler's new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine is destined to power the new Quattroporte, giving customer's a choice of power units.

In announcing his plans for the future, Harald Wester, CEO of the Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth Division of FIAT, indicated that this new V6 engine will be boosted with the addition of twin turbochargers.

In 2012 the new Maserati Quattroporte will make its debut, equipped with two engines ( the unfailing V8 and a new six cylinder Biturbo producing over 400 bhp, with an engine block derived from the Pentastar). The flagship of the Tridente will eventually be produced in around 8,000-9,000 examples annually.

Mr. Wester added that the next Quattroporte flagship will also feature four-wheel drive and a stop-start system. Meanwhile, the company is developing a platform that will be used for all the top-of-the-range vehicles of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance.

The target for the new Quattroporte, scheduled for 2012, being to slash weight by some 15 per cent and fuel consumption by 25 percent. More efficient downsized V-6 and V-8 engines and an eight-speed transmission will be part of this effort.

(Source: Automotive News)

CHRYSLER PRESS RELEASE

Chrysler LLC Introduces the all-new Pentastar V-6 Engine


The all-new Chrysler 3.6-litre, DOHC, 24-valve Pentastar V-6 engine [Source: Chrysler]


The all-new Pentastar V-6 is the most advanced six-cylinder engine in the history of Chrysler, with an ideal integration of select technologies that deliver refinement, fuel efficiency and performance All-new flexible-fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 to replace seven current V-6 engines, resulting in flexibility, efficient operations and significant cost savings to the company New Chrysler Pentastar V-6 to deliver fuel efficiency improvement of up to 8 percent on average compared with previous Chrysler V-6 engines New Pentastar V-6 will contribute a 2 mpg increase to Chrysler's CAFE by 2015 New York, Apr 8, 2009 - Chrysler LLC introduced today an all-new line of V-6 engines that will improve fuel efficiency across the Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge lineup by 8 percent on average compared with previous Chrysler V-6 engines. This more refined and fuel-efficient V-6 engine will ultimately replace seven current Chrysler V-6 engines.

The new 3.6-liter V-6 engine-named Pentastar-is part of the company's overall $3 billion powertrain offensive. It will first be offered in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show and at the Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

"Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine will offer our customers improved fuel economy, refinement and increased performance across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicle lineup," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President-Product Development, Chrysler LLC. "At the same time, replacing seven current engines with one engine will result in increased flexibility, more efficient operations and significant cost savings to the company."

The Pentastar is an all-new design, featuring double-overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a high-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration.

In the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine will deliver 280 horsepower (209 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 N•m) of torque at 4,800 rpm-an increase of 33 percent in horsepower and 11 percent in torque over its predecessor-while providing an 11 percent fuel economy improvement.

"The all-new Pentastar is the most advanced six-cylinder engine Chrysler has ever offered," said Bob Lee, Vice President-Powertrain Product Team. "This new family of engines uses an architecture conceived with future technology growth and integration in mind."

The new Pentastar V-6 also will contribute a 2 mpg increase to Chrysler's CAFE by 2015, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a reduction in oil dependence.

Customers Benefit: Fuel Efficiency, Refinement, Quality, Low Cost of Ownership

During the initial goal setting for the Pentastar program, Chrysler engineers benchmarked the industry's leading engines to set functional targets. The result is an all-new engine that delivers truly world-class customer attributes.

Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine design features a double-overhead cam (DOHC), narrow included valve angle, cylinder head and high-flow intake and exhaust ports. This design, combined with dual independent cam phasing, allows optimum volumetric and combustion efficiency over the full speed and load range, resulting in an exceptional, flat torque curve along with high specific power-the engine's torque exceeds 90 percent of its peak value from 1,600 to 6,400 rpm-which will provide customers with outstanding drivability and responsiveness, without the need for premium fuel.

"Similar to what we did with the HEMI® engine, our engineers used the best combination of design features and technologies to create an engine that satisfies customer requirements," Lee added. "The elegantly simple design maximizes the functionality of each design element rather than adding technology to claim a feature. The result gives our customers everything they demand from an engine today-class-leading levels of refinement, fuel-efficiency, performance and cost of ownership."

The advanced oil filter system eliminates oil spills and contains an incinerable filter element-more efficient disposal than the typical spin-on filters, which are disposed of in landfill sites. The use of long-life spark plugs and a high-energy coil-on-plug ignition system also helps to reduce cost of ownership.

The Pentastar V-6 is designed to run on regular gasoline, offering a 10 percent reduction in fuel cost compared with premium fueled engines. The engine also is fully flex fuel capable, offering consumers the choice of gasoline or E85 fuel without any degradation in performance or emissions.

The new state-of-the-art Trenton (Mich.) Engine South Plant will be the lead facility for production of the Pentastar V-6 engine. A duplicate, new facility in Saltillo, Mexico, will ramp up for the 2012 model year.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

All-new Chrysler 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve Pentastar V-6
Displacement: 3.6 liters
Bore x stroke: 96 x 83 mm
Valve train system: Double-overhead cam with roller finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. Dual independent cam-torque actuated phasers
Fuel injection: Multi-point port fuel injection
Construction: High-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block and semi-permanent mold aluminum cylinder head
Maximum engine speed: 7200 rpm
Fuel requirement: E85 (Ethanol) or unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2
Emission capability: PZEV

[Source: Chrysler]


 
 
 
 
From Roger in the UK

"Hi Henry.

Guess what happened when I took my 222 4v out of its garage this morning after it had been tucked away for a few weeks? I found I’d got a stowaway.

It was IL Stigino, but unfortunately he’d lost so much weight and got so dehydrated he’s only a shadow of his former self. I found him sitting in the driver’s seat (of course!) but he’d obviously lost all his strength to actually start the car and drive away. I think he’d been passing the time listening to one of my Bob Dylan tapes (not his usual choice I know).

He seemed quite at home in his luxury cabin. Anyway I gave him a couple of squirts of WD40 and it seemed to revive him. Unfortunately the doc says he’ll never regain his former size and strength so it looks like I’ll have to adopt him and Top Gear will have to find a replacement. In spite of all this he is no bother at all and has been very helpful around the car as you can see from these photos I took when he was helping me set it up this morning for an outing this weekend.

I’ve renamed him Stigerati as no doubt Clarkson & Co will claim copyright on “Il Stigino” and use it for the replacement. He seems quite happy about it all, not that you can really tell as he doesn’t say much.

Best regards,

Roger.

P.S. What’s all this nonsense about the hot weather burning out all one’s sensible brain cells?"



Il Stigino found in the driver's seat listening to Bob Dylan !

Checking the engine for me


Couldn't wait to adjust the time on that famous analogue clock!

Putting all his weight on the heavy gearchange!


Would have preferred a smaller steering wheel!

Practicing speed, sorry safety, camera detection!


Il Stigino makes a good passenger, doesn't say much!

 
 
 
 
From ABC Brianza in Italy

LAST STOCKS: EXEM DIE-CAST 1:43 scale OSCA Mt4 and Maserati Tipo 151/1 models.

 

 
 
 
 
 

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