German Car Zone

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.






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

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

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

M

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.

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

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

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

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.................................

That god they look and drive well.

M

^ The upholstery is excellent though.