The 2010 Maserati Spyder will be a hardtop convertible version of the GranTurismo coupe. The 2008 GranTurismo coupe is shown here. See pictures of the 2009 GranTurismo.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2010 Maserati Spyder

It's the sun-loving sister to the 2008 GranTurismo coupe--and the first hardtop convertible from a storied Italian automaker. In all, Maserati's newest Spyder looks like the best yet.

What We Know About the 2010 Maserati Spyder

After decades of red ink and pricey mediocrity, Maserati is solidly in the black with cars that many regard as the best this marque has ever built. In particular, the two-year-old Quattroporte ("four door") sedan, the latest in a line stretching back to the 1960s, has been a big image and sales booster for the Italian performance icon. That's just as well, because the Quattroporte is the starting point for Maserati's newest hopefuls, the 2008 GranTurismo coupe and a companion 2010 Spyder convertible. The latter, sources say, will have a retractable hardtop, the first open-air Maserati to have one.

• New Luxury Car Prices & Reviews
  
• Reviews of All New Maseratis
• All Performance Car Reviews

Folding roof aside, the 2010 Maserati Spyder will share most essentials with the GranTurismo coupe (slated to start sale in summer 2008). Both use a shortened version of the Quattroporte platform with its four-wheel double-wishbone suspension, big disc brakes, and an aluminum 4.2-liter twincam V8 engine, all designed with help from corporate stablemate Ferrari. The sedan also donates a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel shift paddles, though an automated manual is expected to be available by the time the Spyder arrives. Styling, penned by renowned Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, is unique to the two-door models. An oval concave grille and peaked front fenders with Buick-style "portholes" refer to Maserati's first road car, the 1946 A6 1500 GT, itself a Pininfarina creation. But these are the only retro elements in a package that's thoroughly modern both aesthetically and technically.

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

• 2009 Maserati GranTurismo Review and Photos
• 2009 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners: Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2009.
• Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.