Named for a hot North African desert gale that blows in Egypt and Libya, the 2+2 Khamsin was a stunning design shown at the 1972 Turin Auto Show. It was the last work with Giulio Alfieri as head of Maserati’s engineering department, and it was also the marque’s first series-production car to be designed by Bertone, under the masterful pen of Marcello Gandini. The result was a streamlined, wedge-shaped design with elegant proportions. The V8 drivetrain and chassis were derived from the Ghibli, but with a new independent rear suspension. The variable steering assistance was a legacy of Citroën, as were other high-pressure hydraulic applications, such as the clutch, pop-up headlights and driver seat adjustment, as well as the brake system. The Khamsin’s traditional Gran Turismo configuration—a large front-engine sports car with rear-wheel drive—marked the end of an era that would only return in the late 1990s with the 3200GT. A mere 435 examples were produced between 1974 and 1982.