Maserati Merak

The Giugiaro-designed Maserati Merak used a mid-mounted 3 litre version of the C114 SM engine and transaxle and also used the Citroën high pressure hydraulic system for the brakes. The dashboard, instrument panel, steering wheel and central console on early models also came from the SM. The door handles came from the GS. The Merak went on sale in 1972.

The pictures below are from the 1975 Merak brochure and the two pictures at the bottom of the page are from the 1980 brochure.The Maserati Merak was effectively a junior version of the Maserati Bora. It substituted the Citroën SM V6 for the larger V-8 in the Bora which allowed for lower cost room for a small rear seat and improved handling due to lower weight and a better front/rear weight distribution.
In appearance, the Merak differed from the otherwise very similar Bora in its use of flying buttresses instead of the Bora's fully glassed rear.

Models produced before 1976 used the Citroën SM dashboard.

The Merak went out of production in 1982. A lighter and more powerful version - the Merak SS was introduced in 1976.

As in the Bora, Citroën hydraulic systems were used to power the brakes, and headlight pods.

The US specification Merak SS saw the Citroën high pressure system replaced by a conventional one.