Мазерати Хамсин: Тарихы мен ерекшеліктері

Italian grand touring car

The Khamsin was introduced on the Bertone stand at the November 1972 Turin Auto Show as a concept car. Designed by Marcello Gandini, it was Bertone's first work for Maserati. Its design highlight was a clear rear section which housed the tail lights along with a sharp, angular design in contrast to its predecessor. In March 1973, the production model was shown at the Paris Motor Show. Regular production of the vehicle started only a year later, in 1974. The Khamsin was developed under Citroën's ownership for a clientele that demanded a front engined grand tourer on the lines of the previous Ghibli, a more conventional proposition than the mid engined Bora. In 1977 a mild facelift added three horizontal slats on the Khamsin's nose to aid cooling. Inside, it brought a restyled dashboard and a new padded steering wheel. Despite the many improvements over its predecessor, the Khamsin did not replicate its success, partly due to the ongoing fuel crisis that reduced demand for cars with large displacement engines. Production ended in 1982, with 435 vehicles made, Cosmetic triangular vented panels are inlaid in the C pillar, with the right hand one hiding the fuel filler cap. Another distinguishing feature is the bonnet, pierced by asymmetrical vents. Design features such as the wedge body, glazed tail panel and the location of the fuel filler cap all carry Gandini's signature. They were all present on his earlier Lamborghini Espada. Despite being marketed as a 2+2, the leather trimmed rear seats, nestled between the two fuel tanks, were found too lacking in headroom and legroom to be usable. Having been developed under the Citroën ownership, the Khamsin made large use of its high pressure hydraulic systems. The power steering used the Citroën SM's DIRAVI speed sensitive variable assistance, which made steering lighter for easier parking and decreased its intervention with speed. The all round vented disc brakes and the clutch command were both hydraulically actuated and assisted. The adjustable seats and the pop up headlights were also hydraulically actuated. An adjustable steering column (an innovative feature at the time), air conditioning, electric windows, a radio and full leather upholstery were standard. Maserati claimed a top speed for the European specification model.

One Khamsin (chassis 1030) was professionally converted to a Spyder (convertible), by the US Maserati distributor. This vehicle sold at auction for EUR 76,375 (US$100,445) in 2007. One Khamsin (chassis 1142) was professionally converted to a T Top by Hurst Hatches on behalf of Bob Grossmann, the US west coast distributor of Maserati Automobiles in California. This vehicle sold at auction for EUR €195,500 (US$221,200) in 2015. Recent Khamsin sales reflect the car's rarity, including the 2015 auction of a non running, low mileage car, sold for EUR €162,400 (US$175,411) at Artcurial. Luxembourg based trading house Khamsin Capital is named after the founders' mutual appreciation of the Khamsin, which they believe to be the ultimate wedge shaped supercar of the 70s.

Khamsin models destined for the United States were subject to significant design alterations to comply with newly enacted legislation with respect to bumper height/strength and placement of tail lights. Maserati and Bertone designer Marcello Gandini strongly objected to the NHTSA's decision prohibiting tail light assembly fitment in the rear vertical glass panel. After a lengthy and unfruitful appeal process, Maserati ultimately capitulated to obtain federalization of the Khamsin and introduce it to their most vital export market. The federalized Khamsin went on sale in 1975. These models required fitting a solid version of the glass tail panel. The tail lights had to be moved downward, to the rear bumpers' former location; the new, protruding bumper was mounted below the tail lights. This new configuration of components left the exhaust tips unable to clear the bumper, a problem resolved by flipping the exhaust resonators upside down. The front bumper was also replaced by a thick rubber bumper. Square side markers found their way on the front and rear wings. The engine received revisions as well, gaining smog control equipment (air injection, thermal reactors in the exhaust manifolds, different carburettors and leaner fuel mixture) reducing its power output by 5 hp.