Baby Maserati Spyder to slot in below GranTurismo
Spy shots have been circulating the web of an upcoming hard-top convertible from Maserati. But while the Trident marque is known to be developing a convertible version of the big GranTurismo, reports now suggest that the vehicle spied is actually the smaller Porsche-rivaling sportscar previously rumored and spied.
Like the Ferrari California, the new model positioned below the GranTurismo is tipped to come only in hard-top convertible form. If that's the case, expect a fast-action retractable roof lighter in weight than a comparable soft-top mechanism but with the added benefits of a solid lid. Again, like the Ferrari, the new small Maserati is expected to have a 2+2 cabin layout, although the rear seats are anticipated to be removable. Power is tipped to come from a smaller version of the 4.2-liter V8 in the base GranTurismo, producing about 350hp and driving the rear wheels through a revised version of the DuoSelect clutchless manual transmission still used in the GranTurismo S instead of the newer ZF six-speed auto in the rest of the Maserati range. Competitive pricing would pit it against the Jaguar XK, BMW 6 Series and Porsche 911. Hard to say at this point if the new model will appear before or after the convertible GranTurismo, but sources suggest it could be ready for unveiling sometime next year, so stay tuned.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumail891 8:06PM (9/10/2008)
As long as it looks good, it's a great move. hope they base the design off of the GranTurismo, but they don't make the two look too similar.
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Mobius_1 8:38PM (9/10/2008)
Seriously, that is great news, with most reviewers saying the GT isn't as sharp as the 911/XKR. If it is light, handles well, and looks as amazing as the other Masers, I'll buy it...
... when I win the lottery :P
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Chase 10:11PM (9/10/2008)
My personal opinion of the GranTurismo has gone down drastically the more I've learned about it. The killer looks, the power, and the size all seemed to point toward it being a great sports car. Its not. It looks great and sounds great, but its slower around a track than a 135i -- which is a third of the price.
That leads me to believe that Maserati is trying to corner the market of high-end brag-mobiles aka "Penis Cars." They have great looks, lots of power, and seem like a decent value versus other cars that meet those criteria.
Porsche is like on the opposite end of the spectrum. They are ugly, don't have a ton of power, and seem like awful values (many an opinion would state that they _are_ awful values). -- If this new car isn't 1000 lbs lighter than the GranTurismo (which is 4200 lbs -- the weight of a Pontiac G8), then there is simply no way its going to compete with the 911.
You know, I honestly wouldn't mind if Fiat simply left this kind of car as Maserati's niche, but the fact that they are selling the California (an even heavier GranTurismo) as a _Ferrari_ is simply revolting.
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inv4zn 9:23PM (9/10/2008)
you can use the tags < i > and to italicize comments
inv4zn 9:25PM (9/10/2008)
hahah fail for me, no you can't
Kumail891 9:37PM (9/10/2008)
i dont know about you, but i am not going a track anytime soon. dont care what you say, this is the car i would want if given a choice between any car that you mentioned or is in it's segment. if you dont like the power issues, get a type s or wait for the light-weight version.
Mobius_1 9:44PM (9/10/2008)
Maseratis aren't about outright performance, rather more so about style, and can you say that about a BMW? Also, it isn't built the handle as much as it is built to be an epic Grand Tourer (thus the name) and it is certainly a good alternative to the Bentley Conti GT and the Aston DB9
Chase 10:07PM (9/10/2008)
You guys are telling me that having about the same performance potential as a full-size GM sedan in a $120,000 2+2 coupe is reasonable? No joke ... the G8 GXP has nearly identical numbers and probably will have very similar real-world performance as the GranTurismo, and that's with two huge back seats.
No, it simply isn't reasonable. And yes, I go to the track you silly penis-car-lover.
And yes, BMWs were originally summed as "no frills performance daily drivers." The luxury part got tossed in there at some point in the eighties or nineties, and the luxury-brand image is even still mainly an American conception. All BMWs are fairly high on the "driver's car" side of thing, though a few of them are outstanding.
paul34 10:26PM (9/10/2008)
I understand what you're saying, but I don't think it is really proper to think of this car as a true sports car. Really, its more of a GT with a "sporting character" more than anything else.
It can't truly hold its own against similar models from Ferrari or what-have-you because really, it doesn't technically compete with those marques.
Think of a Rolls Royce Phantom vs. Lamborghini LP640. Maybe roughly similar prices, but completely different purposes.
Chase 12:35AM (9/11/2008)
Kumail89, sorry for calling you a silly penis-car-lover. It's just the California seriously peeves me.
RT 9:53PM (9/10/2008)
I think I'm going to have to start playing the lottery . . .
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Alex 11:12AM (9/12/2008)
What is up with the dude in the picture wearing a face mask?
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