Maserati Kyalami

Maserati Kyalami
Overview
Manufacturer	Maserati
Production	1977-1983
Designer	Pietro Frua
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer (S)
Body style	4-seat coupé
Related	De Tomaso Longchamp
Powertrain
Engine	4.2 and 4.9 L V8 petrol
Transmission	5-speed ZF manual 3-speed Borg Warner automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (102 in)
Length	4,610 mm (181 in)
Width	1,870 mm (74 in)
Height	1,320 mm (52 in)
Curb weight	1,670 kg (3,680 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Maserati Mexico
Successor	Maserati 228

The Maserati Kyalami (Tipo 129) is a four-seat GT coupé produced by Italian manufacturer Maserati from 1976 to 1983. The car was named after the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa where a Maserati-powered Cooper T81 had won the 1967 South African Grand Prix.

The Kyalami was the first new model developed under the Alejandro de Tomaso ownership; it was derived from, and mechanically virtually identical (except for some body panels) to the Longchamp, a three-box grand tourer made by De Tomaso Automobili. Pietro Frua was commissioned from De Tomaso the restyling of the Tom Tjaarda-designed Longchamp, to give the new car a distinctive Maserati feel; the interior was also upgraded to incorporate classic Maserati elements such the steering wheel and instrumentation. A Maserati four overhead camshaft 90° V8 was utilized to power the car, as opposed to the American-sourced Ford V8 which was used in the Longchamp.

The Kyalami was launched at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show and was initially powered by a 265 PS (195 kW) 4.2-litre engine. Starting in 1978, an enlarged version of 4.9-litre displacement delivering 290 PS (213 kW) was also available. Both engines were coupled with a ZF five-speed manual transmission or upon request a three-speed Borg Warner automatic. Mechanically the Kyalami was closely related to its contemporary Quattroporte, which was also offered with the same engines and gearboxes.

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