What the car is and where it came from
The Maserati Khamsin is a Gandini-designed, Bertone-built grand tourer produced by Maserati between 1974 and 1982. It debuted as a concept at the 1972 Turin Auto Show, entered production after being shown at the 1973 Paris Motor Show, and was developed under Citroën ownership as a front-engined alternative to the mid-engined Bora.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
The Khamsin is a front-mid mounted V8 grand tourer with rear-wheel drive. Its Citroën-derived hydraulic systems operate the brakes, clutch, and steering. The driver sits behind a padded steering wheel added in the 1977 facelift, facing a restyled dashboard.
What it gets right
It gets right the integration of Citroën hydraulic systems into a grand tourer chassis. It gets right the wedge-shaped fastback as a resolved evolution from the Espada, with a distinct rear light enclosure and a 1977 cooling update that added three horizontal nose slats.
What it does not
It does not offer mid-engine layout or experimental packaging. It does not depart from front-engined convention. It does not retain the Espada’s rear treatment — instead using a clear rear section housing tail lights with sharp, angular contrast.
What it changed
It changed Maserati’s design partnership: the Khamsin was Bertone’s first work for Maserati, ending a prior absence of collaboration and establishing Gandini’s architecture-first approach within the brand’s GT lineage.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for someone interested in Gandini’s vehicle architecture — not just his silhouettes — and in how Citroën’s engineering influenced Italian GT design. It is not for someone seeking technical performance figures, chassis details, or subjective driving impressions unsupported by the sources.
Is it worth your time
Yes — if you want to understand how Gandini’s architectural thinking translated into a production GT under corporate ownership. No — if you expect driving dynamics data or performance metrics; none are provided in the source material.
