Maserati SPYDER GT
When we first heard that a Spyder version of Maseratis fearsome 3200GT coupe was planned, most of us figured that it would be a simple tin-opener job on the GTs sleek roofline. Few realised that Maserati would, in effect, build an entirely new car. They have, courtesy of a new culture in Modena designed to prevent this most illustrious of companies from doing anything else by half. True, the frontal aspect may be familiar but dig deeper and youll discover some surprising changes.
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In recent revisions, the car has also gained a new steering box, new shocks, bigger anti-roll bars, the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP), Skyhook suspension and the Navtrak GPS security system. The Spyders hood is something of a disappointment, being an electrically folding fabric item which takes quite some time (28 seconds) to raise and lower not something youd expect in a near £70,000 car, especially with Mercedes latest SL model showing how the whole roof thing is done. Still, with the hood down, the Spyder looks a beauty and even with it up, the lines look agreeably smooth. Quite enough, in other words, to persuade potential buyers of convertible versions of the Aston Martin DB7, Porsche 911 and Jaguar XKR to schedule another test drive into their Palm Pilots.
Sadly, the 3200GTs trademark boomerang LED rear lights have gone, the feature not being wholly appreciated by the US buyers who constitute the Spyders biggest market.
"The Spyder has a more aggressive, pugnacious look than that of the Coupe."
Aside from the bodywork, the other wholly new feature is the engine. Theres not too much wrong with the twin turbocharged 370bhp V8 that was originally fitted to the 3200GT, but Mauro Rioli, head of engine development at Maserati, has created a work of art beneath the Spyders bonnet. The 4.2-litre V8 that he has signed off boasts 390bhp and is the same as that used by the 4200GT Coupe.
The use of various weight saving components (like an innovative dry-sump lubrication system and variable inlet timing system) all point to the fact that this is a far more modern engine than the twin-turbo unit used by the old 3200GT. That power translates into some quite stunning performance, 60mph disappearing in less than five seconds with 176mph clicking onto the speedometer where conditions allow. The brakes are well up to the task too, with big 330mm discs at the front that give genuinely breathtaking powers of retardation. The handling is the key issue though.
Can the soft-top car match the hard-top version? In many respects the Spyder passes this acid test with flying colours, but the reasons are largely down to the increased tractability of the engine. There is a small amount of shudder over road imperfections that you probably wouldnt find in a Porsche 911 Cabriolet and wind intrusion into the cabin becomes quite savage at speeds that could merit a custodial sentence. On the whole, however, its a competent all round showing from a company that only five years ago had a reputation for cars that functioned really rather well as ditch-seeking missiles. Well-heeled buyers can opt to pay £3,000 extra for the Cambiocorsa semi-automatic paddle-shift gearchange, basically borrowed from Ferrari, but its the manual GT model we look at here.
Both transmission systems share exactly the same six-speed gearbox but swap the cogs yourself and youll have to get used to a slightly notchy change quality. Our advice would be to make sure your dealer gives you a run with both systems before you decide. The Spyder also boasts a similarly high-tech approach to suspension, the Skyhook telemetry system monitoring the movement of wheels and body and transmitting this data to a central unit. This in turn determines the running conditions and adjusts each damper to give maximum comfort and response.
Well, thats the theory and it seemed to work on sweeping open roads, but give the processor some real numbers to crunch a typically badly cambered, potholed British B-road for example, and it loses the plot somewhat. The interior is much as weve come to expect from Maserati with sumptuous leathers and chromed details. A 6-inch colour screen is standard, controlling the stereo, the on-board computer, the climate control and, should you specify them, the satellite navigation and telephone functions. Luggage space is also better than you would at first expect.
Priced halfway between an Alfa Spyder and a Ferrari 360 Spyder, this Maserati would appear to make all sorts of sense for paymasters Fiat. Will it be a logical choice for those lucky enough to have £70,000 to lavish on a diverting plaything? In truth, the Maserati Spyders looks and heritage probably meant that it didnt actually need to be particularly good to sell well. That it is represents a welcome bonus and one that the Modenese companys new clientele should have ample cause to celebrate.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Maserati Spyder GT
PRICES: £61,995 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 20
CO2 EMISSIONS: 430g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 176mph / 0-60mph 4.9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 9.9mpg (urban) / 21.7mpg (extra urban) / 15.2mpg (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS, twin rollover hoops
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4303/1822/1305mm
