De Tomaso, the new owner of Maserati, wanted to modernise the range with an affordable coupé. The ambition to appeal to a broad customer base with an unusual selling price for Maserati had to go hand in hand with a low-tax engine. In Italy, therefore, a ‘small’ engine was needed (less than 2 litres of displacement because of the tax rules) so as not to penalise the attractive purchase price. A ‘small’ engine compensated for by 2 IHI turbos, a first for the time on a production model. The Biturbo E (for Export) for other countries appeared in 1983 with a more torquey 185 bhp 2.5 engine. The second series of Maserati Biturbo, the Biturbo II, arrived in July 1985 and concerned both the Italian and export versions. The differences with the first were the adoption of a Sensitork limited-slip differential instead of the Salisbury, a larger fuel tank (80 litres) and a Nigusil cylinder liner. It offers greater resistance to temperature rises and reduced oil consumption. Externally, the Biturbo II is distinguished by its new 14-inch wheels. The powertrains remain unchanged.