1988 Maserati Karif Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Maserati Karif weighs approximately 1,310 kg (2,888 lbs), a figure that reflects its lightweight yet robust construction. This relatively light weight, combined with its turbocharged 2.0-liter V6 engine, enhances the car's agility and acceleration capabilities. The low weight contributes significantly to its sporty performance characteristics, allowing for quicker cornering, better braking, and an engaging driving experience. The Karif's weight makes it more nimble than many contemporaries, emphasizing the car’s design philosophy centered on driver enjoyment.

The Maserati Karif features a wheelbase of approximately 2,380 mm (93.7 inches). This relatively short wheelbase plays a crucial role in the car’s handling dynamics, providing agility and quick response to steering inputs. A shorter wheelbase typically allows for tighter cornering radius and enhances maneuverability, which is essential for a sporty coupe designed to deliver a thrilling driving experience. The Karif’s wheelbase strikes a balance between stability at high speeds and nimbleness in urban or twisty road conditions.

Yes, the Maserati Karif's compact dimensions make it suitable for fitting into a standard garage in both Europe and North America. With a length of approximately 4,020 mm (158.3 inches), width of 1,750 mm (68.9 inches), and height of 1,260 mm (49.6 inches), it occupies less space compared to many modern luxury coupes and sports cars. Typical single-car garages range from around 2,400 mm to 3,000 mm (94.5 to 118 inches) in width and 5,000 mm to 6,000 mm (196 to 236 inches) in length, so the Karif can be accommodated comfortably, allowing enough room for door opening and maneuvering.

The Maserati Karif is a two-door coupe designed primarily for driver-focused performance and style. It offers seating for two passengers with a 2+2 layout in some cases, though rear seats are quite limited in space, better suited for occasional use or small children. The interior prioritizes sporty ergonomics, luxury materials, and driver engagement over extensive passenger comfort or cargo capacity. Headroom and legroom are adequate for front occupants given its low height of about 1,260 mm (49.6 inches), while rear seating is more of a secondary feature in this compact grand tourer.

The Maserati Karif was introduced as a limited-production variant of the Maserati Biturbo range. Compared to earlier Biturbo models, the Karif retained similar compact dimensions but focused heavily on sporty enhancements, including a lighter build and a more aggressive design. While the Biturbo typically measured slightly longer, Karif’s reduced weight and sharper tuning distinguished it. The Karif’s size was optimized to blend Maserati’s luxury coupe tradition with a more performance-oriented package, marking a nuanced evolution rather than a drastic change in external dimensions.

In the context of 1980s Italian sports coupes, the Maserati Karif is relatively compact and lightweight, which complements its turbocharged 2.0-liter V6 engine. Compared to contemporaries like the Ferrari 308 or Alfa Romeo GTV6, the Karif is slightly shorter and narrower, emphasizing agility and urban usability. Its limited production and exclusive nature give it a unique place among Italian sport coupes, combining Maserati’s luxury heritage with sprightly performance. While competitors often had slightly larger displacement engines, Karif’s turbocharging and weight balance provided competitive performance and distinctive driving dynamics.

The Maserati Karif features a low ground clearance typical of sports coupes, approximately around 120 mm (4.7 inches), although exact official figures may vary slightly. This low clearance enhances aerodynamic efficiency and lowers the center of gravity, which improves cornering stability and handling precision. However, it also means the Karif is less suited for rough roads or speed bumps and requires cautious driving on uneven surfaces. The low stance reflects the car’s focus on sporty performance rather than off-road capability.

The Maserati Karif has a fuel tank capacity of about 80 liters (21.1 US gallons), suitable for long-distance driving considering its sporty nature and turbocharged engine. Cargo space is limited due to its compact coupe design and focus on performance, with a small rear trunk optimized more for practicality than volume, typically around 200 liters (7 cubic feet). This space accommodates daily essentials but may be restrictive for larger luggage, underscoring the Karif's prioritization of driving experience over utility.

Yes, the compact size of the Maserati Karif makes it relatively easy to maneuver through tight urban environments. Its length of 4,020 mm (158.3 inches) and width of 1,750 mm (68.9 inches) allow it to fit through narrow streets and parking spaces more easily than larger grand tourers. Combined with the car’s responsive steering and relatively short wheelbase of 2,380 mm (93.7 inches), the Karif offers agility conducive to city driving without compromising the classic sports coupe experience. This makes it quite practical for Italian city conditions where tight roads are common.