GranTurismo Spy Shots: Maserati’s new GranTurismo Spyder

[PanterroR]

Prototypes for Maserati’s next model, a new coupe-cabrio based on the same platform as the Ferrari California, were first seen testing more than a year ago but soon disappeared once engineers started focusing on completing the car with the prancing horse badge. The last we saw of the Maserati prototypes was back in February when a mysterious GranTurismo with ill-fitting body panels was spotted in Italy.

Heavily disguised cars have now been spotted testing in and around the Nurburgring in Germany, confirming that the smaller Maserati model is still in the works. Both the recently revealed California and this new Maserati model are based on a shortened GranTurismo platform, and both will feature the same folding hard-top.

The new coupe-cabrio will feature the same running gear as the GranTurismo which means a 405hp (302kW) 4.2L V8 engine and six-speed ZF automatic transmission will feature. Maserati is likely to follow up with a performance ‘S’ addition, which should get the same 440hp (327kW) 4.7L V8 engine as its GranTurismo cousin.

Styling of both cars will be similar as this rendering suggests (the key difference being a significantly shorter wheelbase), and the first production model should appear late next year or in early 2010. Before then, Maserati is expected to launch the convertible version of the current GranTurismo.


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Source: Motor Authority >> Spy Shots: Maserati?s new small coupe-cabrio

 

[Bartek S.]

Spyshots: Maserati GranTurismo Spyder


Going on holliday to Supercar Valley is always a great way to spend some time. It will be even more fun if you run into a very special car. This is what happened to Niels when he drove around Modena and stumbled upon some broken Maserati’s. He did what most people interested in cars would do, he had a quick look around, and thought he saw a GranTurismo. When he was standing closer to the car he realized it wasn’t an ordinary GranTurismo.
It is the GranTurismo Spyder. The car wasn’t being watched, nor covered up, just standing their between some broken Maserati’s. This Maserati GranTurismo Spyder will probably be powered by a 434 bhp strong 4.7 liter V8, the same engine you can also find in the GranTurismo S. You’ll probably need all this power to get some nicer performance out of this 1800 kg heavy machine. The Spyder is expected in the showroom around 2009, so this car will high likely be introduced during the Paris motorshow next month.





autogespot

 

[Merc1]

This thing is going to be white-hot. This is why I love convertibles.

M

 

[SDNR]

It's the little things that annoy me about Italian cars ....why on earth did they use those "budget level" plastic handles on such beautifully made leather seats? -- they should take a closer look at an SL for some lessons.

 

[Merc1]

LOL...Same reason why there is a huge square cut out at the top of the door panels for the side airbags:

To cut costs.....the money may now be flowing at Maserati, but they still have no where near the budget of the Germans.


M

 

[Centurion]

Rear deck looks a bit too big, proportions might be jagged and awkward.

 

[SDNR]

LOL...Same reason why there is a huge square cut out at the top of the door panels for the side airbags:

To cut costs.....the money may now be flowing at Maserati, but they still have no where near the budget of the Germans.


M

Sure, Maserati does not have the same resources as the big Germans, but these criticisms are not unreasonable for a car of its price.

 

[Wunderkind]

Both the Quattroporte and the Granturismo have crappy interiors. You can tell by the design they were trying to save money and did things on the budget. The quality of the material used is poor, the fit and finish are sketchy, the electronic gadgets all came from other Fiats and are second rate at best. The only thing they could do to lift things up was to resort to bright colour leathers.................................

 

[Merc1]

That god they look and drive well.

M

 

[SDNR]

^ The upholstery is excellent though.

 

[Merc1]

Will Maserati's new Spyder use a folding hard-top? Our latest spy photos suggest it will – this close-up appears to show a metal coupe-convertible style roof, but we've also heard rumblings from senior executives that Maserati grand tourers need the boot space that comes with a cloth roof. In which case, this roof could be an elaborate disguise or a targa-style winter top...

Our money would go on the folding hard-top, but these pictures confirm that the Spyder will have a pair of rear seats. The engineers of this prototype are using the rear buckets to store all their data logging equipment and lashings of wirework. Who said Maseratis weren't practical load luggers?

When can I buy a Maserati Spyder?

We won't see the new convertible Maser until a motor show late in 2009 – think Frankfurt – with sales kicking off a few months later. That means a 2010 debut in UK showrooms. It's a bit early to talk prices yet, but around £75,000 looks a fair bet.

The new Spyder is designed by Pininfarina and will use the family architecture of the Granturismo and Quattroporte; they roll off the same two lines at the Modenese factory and all three will share the same 4.2- and 4.7-litre V8 engines, driving the rear wheels.

How are Maserati faring in the credit crunch?

Tough times, indeed. Yet in the UK, the company is on target to be ahead of last year's sales, thanks to an influx of new product.


Maserati Spyder (2009): the spy photos | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online


Also, can we get this thread renamed GranTurismo Spyder since that is obviously what this car will be? Should be a sticky too I think since is coming in a few months.


M

 

[PanterroR]

Done!

 

[Mr. M]

I'll prefer it to be a soft top. I think the GT works well with a cloth roof.

 

[PanterroR]

Maserati GranTurismo Spyder coming early next year with $130,000 price tag

Maserati officials have confirmed the convertible version of the GranTurismo will arrive in showrooms by March of next year and now we have a few new details about the car, which is expected to go by the name GranTurismo Spyder.

Maserati is yet to reveal if the car will sport a traditional canvas roof or a new hard-top, but according to Car and Driver it will come with a conventional cloth top and a price tag of $130,000. This puts it in perfect competition with cars like the Mercedes Benz SL, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, BMW M6 Cabrio, and Jaguar XKR Convertible.

In keeping with its premium status the Spyder will likely come standard with the new 434hp 4.7L V8 engine from the more recent GranTurismo S. This means it will likely get Maserati’s new automatic gearbox (as opposed to the previous automated manual) and a Brembo brake package as standard.

Performance will likely be down on its hard-top sibling, however, as the Spyder will require extra reinforcements due to its missing roof. Remember, the regular GranTurismo already weighs in excess of 1,800kg so the extra weight of this reinforcement plus the automated folding roof system could easily push the drop-top past the two ton barrier.


Source: Maserati GranTurismo Spyder coming early next year with $130,000 price tag - [2011 Maserati GranTurismo Spyder] - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

 

[PanterroR]

Here it is:

http://www.germancarforum.com/maserati/30470-official-maserati-grancabrio.html