Zagato’s Maserati Mostro blows its roof
Italian design house, Atelier Zagato, has unveiled a new open-roof version of its Maserati-powered Mostro. The new Mostro Barchetta Zagato Powered by Maserati follows the coupe version that was launched back in 2015. The Barchetta debuted at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May 2022 where it was shown in the Concept Cars & Prototypes class, then handed over to its new owner.
The new car is the latest in a long line of Zagato-bodied Maseratis, starting in 1931 with the Maserati 8C 2500 Sport Zagato. In 1957, the Milanese coachbuilder built the Maserati 450S Coupe Zagato, which was nicknamed ‘Mostro’ (Monster). This unique car was ordered by Stirling Moss and constructed with the support of British aerodynamic specialist, Frank Costin, to participate at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The new Barchetta model is an evolution of the 2015 Mostro Zagato, says company president Andrea Zagato: “We decided on the name of the project being inspired by Sir Stirling Moss’s first reaction, who said it was ‘Beautiful like a monster’ when he first saw it. It is an oxymoron that expresses well the union between the brutal power and the philosophy of beauty.”
The new design is by Norihiko Harada, vice-president of Zagato Design, and recalls the proportions of Maserati and OSCA barchettas of the 1950s. The seats and small wrap-around windscreen are reminiscent of racing speedboats. Two choices of Maserati engine are available: a 4.2-litre V8 or a 3.0-litre twin-turbo, with power ranging from 420hp up to 630hp. The engine is mounted in a front-mid position for perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Since the car weighs only 1200kg, it has an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
The Mostro Zagato Barchetta uses a carbonfibre monocell chassis, composite windscreen frame and steel rear subframe carrying the fuel tank, exhaust, rear suspension and differential. There is no electronic traction control. The gearbox is a manual sequential six-speed unit mounted directly on to the engine block. The suspension is by double wishbones and adjustable pushrod spring/dampers all round. AP Racing six-pistons front callipers and fourpiston rears are mounted behind 19-inch single-nut alloy wheels, shod with 255/40 R19 front tyres and 295/35 R19 rears. Only five examples of the Mostro Barchetta will be made, with each client able to personalise their car.
