- Modena Automobili introduced a new restomod project called Maserati Biturbo Shamal.
- The model is based on the Biturbo but adds Shamal-inspired styling and a modern V6.
- The company plans on building 33 examples, each starting at €585k ($638k).
Maserati might be facing tough times under the sprawling Stellantis umbrella, but its name still rings with a kind of reverence that other brands can only dream of. Enter Modena Automobili, a boutique outfit reminding us why Maserati’s legacy still matters. Their latest project is a restomod homage to the Biturbo, drawing heavily from the Shamal’s aggressive styling, but with a sharper, modern twist: a redesigned body, strengthened underpinnings, and a twin-turbo V6 that’s anything but nostalgic.
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The original V6-powered Maserati Biturbo hit the scene in 1982, a car with enough performance to earn its stripes yet hamstrung by a reputation for mechanical fragility. Seven years later, the Shamal arrived, a muscular V8 variant penned by Marcello Gandini that turned heads for all the right reasons. Modena Automobili’s restomod starts with the Biturbo but borrows the Shamal’s visual swagger, fusing two eras into one.
A Modern V6 Turbo Upgrade
The restomodded Maserati is powered by a modern twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, lifted from the discontinued Maserati Ghibli S. Power has been bumped from the stock 404 hp (302 kW / 410 PS) to 493 hp (368 kW / 500 hp), while retaining the same 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque.
The engine is paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic, sending power to the rear wheels with the help of a Ghibli-sourced differential. According to Modena Automobili, the restomodded Biturbo will accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph), surpassing both the Biturbo and the Shamal in terms of outright performance.
The steel monocoque chassis of the Biturbo has been reinforced with the help of carbon fiber and sandwich panels, while the suspension has been modernized with MacPherson front and semi-trailing arm rear components. The uprated braking system comprises ventilated discs with Brembo calipers, and the significantly larger 18-inch alloy wheels are shod in Pirelli P Zero tires.
Nearly every exterior panel has been redesigned, with a mix of steel and carbon fiber giving it that Shamal-inspired widebody look. The most striking changes? Flared fender extensions and squared-off arches, along with a central black pillar doubling as a roll bar, a subtle but clever nod to the Shamal’s signature style.
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The front end of the Biturbo coupe received a larger grille, wider bumper intakes, a splitter, and new LED headlights in carbon fiber housings. Furthermore, the bulged and vented hood makes room for the new engine. The rear end has also been redesigned, gaining modern taillights, Shamal Biturbo lettering, an integrated spoiler, and a diffuser with quad tailpipes.
Interior renderings are notably absent, though Modena Automobili has promised an overhaul focused on luxury and customization. Highlight will include a new set of Recaro Classic LX seats with adjustable headrests, joined by a reskinned rear bench. There will be a wide range of customization options for the upholstery, making each restomod unique. Tech upgrades include a digital instrument cluster, an infotainment display, and a new climate system, with the analog clock retaining its position on the dashboard.
Who’s Behind the Project?
Despite its rname, Modena Automobili isn’t some offshoot of Pagani’s Automobili Modena. According to the company, it’s made up of “managers, entrepreneurs, and technicians with extensive experience in prestigious automotive companies from Italy’s Motor Valley.” Rather than attempting to do everything in-house, the team leans on “external consultancy for design, feasibility, and engineering, as well as for prototype development,” working closely with renowned engineering firms to bring their vision to life.
Their Maserati restomod project started in 2022, and is currently in the “advanced stages of design, assembly, and certification”. The first prototype is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2025, using a 1983 Maserati Biturbo Coupe as a donor vehicle.
How Much Will It Cost?
Only 33 units of the Maserati Biturbo Shamal Restomod will be hand-built in Modena, each carrying a price tag starting at €585,000 ($638,000) before taxes, making it more expensive than any member of the current Maserati lineup, including the MC20 GT2 Stradale. Modena Automobili is already accepting orders, with estimated delivery times between 8 and 10 months.
Back in 2020, Maserati’s official Fuoriserie Instagram teased a cyberpunk-themed makeover of the Shamal, dubbed “Project Rekall”. But like so many tantalizing prototypes, it stalled out in concept limbo, a case of what could have been in a world increasingly captivated by restomods.
