THESE WEEKS THE Maserati Spyder meets its new friends for the first time. All over Europe Maserati dealers open the doors to reveal the new car. We visited the Swedish dealer Lars Wendel in the city of Malmö to take part in the celebration of the new sports car: Maserati Spyder, almost the same shape as the Maserati 3200 GT Coupé, but with a lot of new technique. The Spyder is shorter and it comes with a new engine, still V8 as the 3200 GT, but with no turbo.

“The engine might look similar to the Ferrari V8”, Maserati spokesman Erik Ploss from Ferrari Deutschland, who was with us in Malmö explains, “but it is a brand new construction, one of the main differences is the valvegear”.

“Mr. Ploss, what happened to the typical rear lights?”

“Well, we liked the boomerang rear lights of the Coupé, but we know from many customers, that they were just too – how, do I say it – special. That is why we have decided to design new rear lights”, the marketing manager explains.

Erik Ploss is not the only German, who is happy with the new Maserati:

“I am looking forward to test it!” Ferrari and Maserati ambassador Michael Schumacher said, when he surrounded by four kings size bodyguards revealed the Spyder at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Sitting in the car in Malmö, Sweden, we understand the German.

FACTS
· Maserati Spyder
· Launch all over Europe right now, USA will follow next year
· V8 power
· 390 bhp at 7000 rpm
· 5.1 sec., 280 km/h
· 176.025 DEM, 90.000 Euro



Images:
Maserati Spyder, we visited the Swedish dealer Lars Wendel to have a look. V8 power, F1 gearshift, 18 in wheels. Photo: Kenneth Ekelöv


More photos of the Spyder: Find it at Frankfurt Motor Show Special, page 21. First Drive article of Maserati 3200 GT, you will find both under the menu "test & news.