Motor vehicle
The Maserati Merak was an Italian sport car introduced in 1972, essentially a junior version of the Maserati Bora. It substituted an all new Maserati designed quad-cam V-6 motor (also shared with the Citroen SM) for the Bora's larger V-8, resulting not only in a lower cost, but room for a small backseat and better handling due to lower weight and a better front/rear weight distribution.
Aesthetically, the Merak differed from the otherwise identical Bora mainly in sporting open flying buttresses instead of the Bora's fully glassed rear, and the use of the Citroen SM dashboard on models produced before 1977.
The Merak went out of production in 1982.
History
Citroën era Merak
The first Merak was designed during the Citroën ownership of Maserati (1968–1975). It featured a 3.0 L Maserati V6 (190 hp) engine, also used in the Citroën SM.
The mid-engine Merak used the Bora bodyshell, but with the extra space offered by the smaller engine used to carve out a second row of seats, suitable for children or very small adults.
Other Citroën parts used for the Merak included the SM's dramatic dashboard and the hydraulic brake system. In 1977 these parts were supplanted by more conventional units.
GEPI era Merak
In 1976 Maserati introduced the more powerful and lighter Merak SS. Only 652 were made until production of the SS stopped in 1982. Its engine produced 15% more power, raising horsepower to 220 hp (164 kW) and weight was reduced by 152 kg to 1,400 kg, resulting in a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h). After 1977, the Merak SS was bestowed with the interior and dash of the Maserati Bora. The Merak SS also saw a return to traditional hydraulics, eliminating the last of the Citroen high pressure system.
DeTomaso era Merak
In 1977 DeTomaso purchased Maserati, and the Bora was discontinued after a production run of less than 600 cars. In 1977 DeTomaso introduced the Merak 2000, with a smaller powerplant. The Merek 2000 was built mainly for the Italian market, where a newly introduced tax law penalized cars with an engine capacity of more than 2000 cc. The Merak 2000 featured a 2.0 L V6 with 170 hp (127 kW). No Merek 2000 were imported to the United States.
Todays market
On today's market the Maserati Merek does not enjoy the same value as the V-8 Bora. Mereks are more common, and pricing on average is half the value of a Bora in similar condition. This is partly due to the cars smaller V-6 powerplant, and also to problems associated with its Citroen components.
Featured on television
On April 12, 2005, the Merek was featured in a Top Gear segment against its main competitors, namely the Ferrari Dino and Lamborghini Urraco. Each presenter was given £10,000 to buy a "Super Car". James May purchased a Urraco. He appeared with the Lamborghini on the back of a flat bed truck, claiming that the car had several electrical issues. In the end, all three cars turned out to be unreliable and did not complete the challenges. At one point, James May defended the Urraco to a passerby by saying: "No, it's not a kit car, it's a Lamborghini." He then mumbled under his breath: "Philistine." [2]
