The Maserati 228 was a two-door, 5-seater GT coupé based on the Biturbo chassis. It was conceived to be a more luxurious offering than that earlier of the BiTurbo lineup, and was therefore aimed at the same market of the large GTs of the past like the 3500 GT and Mexico. To accomplish this, it was based on the longer wheelbase chassis (2.6 m) of the four-door Biturbos, and powered by the largest, 2.8 litre, 18-valve fuel injected V6 (hence the name 228 – 2-door, 2.8 L engine). Bilstein gas shock absorbers replaced the usual hydraulic ones, and a 4-speed automatic transmission was available on order. The notchback coupé bodywork was styled by Pierangelo Andreani, and the car was wider and longer than the two-door Biturbos, with no common body panels; the interior was also more luxuriously appointed.