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. 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.
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 to 493
hp, while retaining the same 550 Nm 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 in 4.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 290 km/h, 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. 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. 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.
Only 33 units of the Maserati Biturbo
Shamal Restomod will be hand-built in Modena, each carrying a price tag
starting at € 585,000 (US$ 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.
