The hype for the upcoming role-playing video game Cyberpunk 2077 is unreal, as it’s one of the most anticipated releases in recent memory. While the story is set in a neo-dystopian world, cars seem to be a heavy gameplay component. It’s no wonder why automotive manufacturers like Maserati want to get in on the hype.

The video game includes a mix of fictional vehicles as well as iconic real-life cars from years past. For instance, Johnny Silverhand, the supporting character portrayed by legendary actor Keanu Reeves, drives a 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo. Of course, this car is heavily modified to meet the extraordinary demands of Night City.

Polish video game developer CD Projekt Red is releasing Cyberpunk 2077 on December 10 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Gaming fans and car enthusiasts alike are gleaning all the information they can before the official debut. 

Meanwhile, Maserati is capitalizing on the hype of what is predicted to be one of the best video games in years by creating Project Rekall. This futuristic rendering is based on the Maserati Shamal and certainly captures the overall feel of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe.  

Let’s take a closer look at this unique and inspired work from Maserati, which may even be available for purchase in the future. 

Maserati’s Project Rekall goes viral on Instagram

It’s said that everything old is new again. That’s why it’s no surprise that Maserati chose the Shamal, which has been dead since 1996, for this Cyberpunk 2077 concept.

Maserati took to Instagram to show off its rendering of a restomoded Shamal. While its bones harken back to a more classic time of cars, the modifications are distinctly futuristic. The seamless meld of these two elements makes the Project Rekall fit perfectly into the Cyberpunk 2077 world.

Maserati produced the Shamal sports car between 1990 and 1996, and it was certainly a product of the 90s. The Maserati Shamal had an angular design with a lean front end and a large, boxy rear end. A 3.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine powered this sports car, allowing it to sprint from 0-62 MPH in as quick as 5.3 seconds.

Video games like Need for Speed have captured the attention of auto manufacturers over the past few decades. That’s why it’s not surprising that Maserati is riding on the coattail of this winter’s most popular video game.

The Cyberpunk 2077 inspired Maserati Shamal keeps most of its defining traits. However, Maserati made some significant improvements that help give the car a futuristic look. It swapped out the old, dull square headlights for slotted headlamps that better match the grille. Meanwhile, the interior features a broad digital cluster gauge and what appears to be a touchscreen display on the center console.

What we know about Cyberpunk 2077

This role-playing video game takes place in an open world in the dystopian future. Players control the protagonist, a customizable character who goes by the name V. The story is set in the fictional setting of Night City, California, which is home to an assortment of gangs, shady corporations, and colorful characters.

Similar to the Grand Theft Auto franchise, the player will have the freedom to explore the city and complete missions throughout the story. CyberPunk 2077 features several classes of vehicles, including economy, executive, heavy-duty, sport, hypercar vehicles.

The video game is based on the Cyberpunk franchise, which began as a tabletop game in 1988. CD Projekt Red announced its intention to create a Cyberpunk video game in 2012, and the company released a trailer in the following year. However, some have criticized the developer for numerous delays that have plagued the title, as it’s had its release pushed back twice from the original date of April 16, 2020.

Upon anticipation for the game’s publication, many fans have gone down the rabbit hole of the Cyberpunk 2077 world. Meanwhile, others have been excited to get their hands on real-life creations from the game, such as a custom Cyperbunk-inspired Mustang.

What comes next for Maserati? 

While you won’t be undergoing cybernetic enhancement during your lifetime, you may be able to drive a futuristic car.

CNET speculates that car enthusiasts may be able to purchase this video game-inspired creation. Maserati gave its fans a call to action in the Instagram post, stating, “We want this to turn into reality, and we’ll need your help to get there.”

Depending on the demand for Project Rekall, Maserati may bring this creation to life via its Fuoriserie program. Maserati Fuoriserie creates custom-built versions of Italian sports cars, giving each one its own identity. 

It’s unlikely that Maserati would revive the Shamal nameplate just because of a video game. However, it’s possible that the Fuoriserie personalization program could offer a Cyberpunk 2077 inspired appearance package on vehicles in Maserati’s current lineup.