Maserati has been stepping up its game as late, and it doesn’t look as though the Italian automaker has any intentions to slow its roll. Spy shots have revealed Maserati is working on a convertible version of its GranTurismo, and a new report indicates that the Italian firm also plans to bring a compact two-seat roadster to market in the very near future.
Rumors of the new model first broke in July, but the U.K.’s AutoExpress has compiled some new details. The new model – simply dubbed Spyder – will be a more compact model than the GranTurismo Spyder, and is intended to take on the Porsche 911 and Jaguar XK. Like those cars, the Spyder will be available as a 2+2, although the rear seats are said to be removable, and probably not usable for adults. Conflicting reports had suggested the Spyder will only feature two seats, but close sources suggest that the Spyder did not receive a shortened platform, and thus there will almost certainly be the room and need for a 2+2 seating arrangement.
However, unlike its rivals, the Spyder will utilize a retractable hardtop, much like the one used on the Ferrari California. Thanks to lightweight materials, the hard top roof will actually be lighter than a comparable soft top. This will be the first time that the automaker will offer a hardtop convertible.
Underhood, the Spyder is slated to use a slightly detuned version of Maserati ’s 4.2L V8, producing about 350 horsepower. Although that will put the Spyder just over 50 horsepower down from its bigger brother, its lighter curb weight and modified DuoSelect transmission should help the Spyder match the GT’s 0-60 time of roughly 5 seconds. Top speed is said to be in the 170 mph range.
Early reports and speculation suggested that the Spyder would make a debut in 2009, but as 2009 came and went, the Spyder did not reveal itself. Look for the Spyder to make its almost certain debut in 2010, with sales following shortly after. Prices are expected to start at ÂŁ60,000, which should undercut the GT Spyder by about 30 grand.
Seen below is an illustration of how the rumored vehicle might look.
