What do a BMW M3, several new Ferraris, and a diesel Vauxhall Insignia share? Beyond the obvious characteristics of having four wheels and an engine, the common thread among these diverse vehicles is their use of twin turbochargers. In an effort to enhance efficiency in contemporary engines and eliminate the turbo lag that could send you crashing into a fence during a turn, the implementation of dual turbochargers has become a standard practice across many segments of the automotive industry.

But, back in the '80s, even turbocharging was a fairly new idea, generally only applied to the wildest Audis, Porsches, BMW, and Saab models the company had to offer, accompanied by equally lairy graphics to advertise the forced induction within. Four decades ago, twin turbochargers were virtually unheard of, but there was one company that brought out a car with this tech in 1981 – way ahead of the competition.

Additionally, this was not just an uncommon brand rarely seen on the streets, but the vehicle itself was an unusual mix of angular design and supercar lineage. These revolutionary cars are surprisingly affordable now, though prospective buyers might need to gather some courage before committing. For those ready to take the plunge, you can own a unique twin-turbo sports car that pushes boundaries for the same price as a pre-owned Ford Focus.

The Maserati Biturbo holds the distinction of being the first production car ever equipped with twin-turbocharging.

1984 Maserati Biturbo Specifications Engine: - Type: 2.5L V6 twin-turbocharged - Power Output: Approximately 180 hp - Torque: 203 lb-ft Transmission: - Gearbox: 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic Performance: - 0-60 mph: Approximately 6.5 seconds - Top Speed: Around 140 mph Dimensions: - Length: 4,370 mm (172.0 inches) - Width: 1,740 mm (68.5 inches) - Height: 1,260 mm (49.6 inches) - Wheelbase: 2,400 mm (94.5 inches) Weight: - Curb Weight: Approximately 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) Fuel Economy: - City: About 15 mpg - Highway: Approximately 22 mpg Features: - 2+2 seating configuration - Leather upholstery - Power windows and locks - Air conditioning (optional) This classic sports car is known for its distinctive styling, performance capabilities, and luxurious interior, making it a notable entry in Maserati's history.

Origin: Maserati

In the '60s and '70s, the Italian firm Maserati carefully made its name by producing exquisite sports cars. Thanks to models such as the Merak, Bora, and Ghibli, the brand was up there with Ferrari and Porsche as a quintessential performance car manufacturer. Some would argue the name 'Maserati' sounded even more evocative. It was a name you could mutter down the Casino de Monte-Carlo in between hands of Black Jack and people would know you had a discerning taste rather than being one of the nouveau riche.

Maserati Chose to Move Away from Its Exotic Image in the 1980s

As the '70s turned into the '80s, Maserati owner Alejandro De Tomaso had a new idea. Rather than focus on achingly beautiful supercars to shift units, Maserati would introduce a new model to attract more customers. Calling in designer Pierangelo Andreani, the man responsible for the Fiat Ritmo and later, the Fiat Chroma Station Wagon, Maserati created the Biturbo.

Gone were the swooping lines and wedge shapes, this was a car that would be a doddle to turn into a LEGO set – such was its angular three-box design. It looked a little like the soon-to-be-launched E30 3 Series, which would spawn the legendary M3, and ushered in a new era for Maserati. It would become the mainstay of the company too, being sold in one form or another until 1994.

Boxy Design Embraces Innovative Technology

The boxy body style was perhaps very much of its era, not that much different from Audi Coupes and Lancia Deltas, and while not unattractive, it didn't really live up to the haute couture supercar image that Maserati's brand had cultivated for years. That is until you looked under the bonnet.

Here was an engine that was as cutting edge as it was exotic. This was a compact,1,996cc V6 with not one but two turbochargers, at a time when Audi had just wowed the world with its groundbreaking Quattro that featured a single turbocharger. The Biturbo's pioneering power plant was matched to a luxurious interior to create what Maserati hoped would be an everyday car.

An In-Depth Exploration of the Biturbo's Distinctive Engine

The Maserati Biturbo was launched in December 1981. The Biturbo’s engine was a new, compact 90-degree V6 that benefitted from induction via two small turbochargers. Maserati's idea to add two turbochargers was the world’s first on a production car and way ahead of its time.

The first Biturbo featured a modest 2.0-liter six-cylinder engine, equipped with three valves per cylinder (two for intake and one for exhaust), a single overhead camshaft, and dual turbochargers. Its parallel twin-turbo setup allowed both turbos to operate in unison, with each serving a separate bank of cylinders. The rationale behind using two smaller turbos was that they could reach optimal RPMs faster than a single larger turbo, thereby minimizing the turbo lag often experienced in many early forced induction vehicles.

The Biturbo may not boast a lot of horsepower, but it remains surprisingly swift.

At this stage, you may be considering that, similar to how downsizing and turbocharging vehicles are perceived today, this was an effective method for enhancing power and fuel efficiency. However, you would be slightly mistaken on both aspects. The V6 twin-turbo engine generated only 180 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, yet with a weight of just 2,394 lbs, it was capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and achieving a maximum speed of 134 mph. Finding official fuel economy statistics is challenging, but when a prominent magazine evaluated a later 2.5-liter Biturbo in 1986, they recorded an efficiency of 11 mpg.

In 1983, the enhanced Biturbo S made its debut, showcasing twin intercoolers identified by the distinct NACA air ducts on the hood. By 1986 and 1987, the lineup received improvements with the introduction of fuel injection, resulting in the 187 horsepower Biturbo i and the 220 horsepower Biturbo Si. Two variations were produced: a 1,996cc version aimed at the domestic market to evade VAT on engines exceeding 2.0 liters, and a 2.5-liter variant, which was later followed by a 2.8-liter option for export.

The Maserati Biturbo Was A Success

One might be tempted to view the Biturbo as the vehicle that transformed Maserati from a producer of stunning exotic cars into an aspiring competitor to BMWs, which, according to contemporary road testers, were somewhat challenging to handle. While this perspective holds some validity, it's also important to note that the Biturbo contributed to a significant increase in Maserati's sales as well.

The Biturbo introduced Maserati to a fresh demographic, and observing the interiors today—complete with seats that resemble the allure of a Soriana sofa—it’s easy to see why many were eager to experience this new breed of Maserati. Additionally, there was a Spyder variant, marking the brand’s first open-top model since the Ghibli Spyder over a decade prior. Zagato was responsible for the Spyder's design, adjusting the Biturbo’s wheelbase from 2,514 mm to 2,400 mm for the convertible versions.

Maserati Achieved Sales of Nearly 40,000 Biturbo Units

The Biturbo also evolved into hard-hitting super sports models such as the Ghibli and stunning Shamal in the '90s. In the end, according to Hemmings.com, more than 38,000 Biturbos were built in the platform's dozen years of life, with more than 5,000 making it to the States. Maserati then spent the next three decades trying to rebuild its reputation as a serious sports and supercar manufacturer with models such as the Coupé and Spyder, GranCabrio, and GranTurismo, and the excellent value MC20 reviving the brand.

The Maserati Biturbo: A Twin-Turbo Steal in Today's Market

Maserati Biturbo Prices in 2025 (Well-Maintained Condition)

• 1984 Maserati Biturbo Base - $4,900
• 1985 Maserati Biturbo - $4,900
• 1987 Maserati Biturbo - $5,200
• 1989 Maserati Zagato (Spyder) - $13,800
• 1991 Maserati Biturbo - $13,800
• 1992 Maserati Zagato (Spyder) - $15,000

Origin: Hagerty Valuation Tool

Given its innovative engine and prestigious badge, it might be unexpected to discover that the Biturbo is actually a great deal in the used car market. A well-maintained 1984 Maserati Biturbo from the early years is valued at approximately $4,900 according to Hagerty Valuation Tools, which is comparable to the cost of a 2012 Ford Focus.

We found this 1987 Biturbo Spyder with just 27,000 miles on the clock which sold in December 2024 for just $7,500. Not a lot of money for a pretty car. Also, it's worth considering when you are next window shopping for a BMW 325i Convertible of the same year, which will cost an average of $16,300, according to Hagerty, but doesn't sound anywhere near as good in the casino.