From March 2006. fans of 'The Trident' will be able to buy a convertible version of what many people consder the best model in their current range - the GranSport. The car will have all the features found in the closed model (faster gearchange, 400 bhp motor, 19" wheels etc) but with the soft top of the popular Spyder.

The big visual change between GranSport and 'standard' Coupés and Spyders is the more agressive nose and tail treatment, coupled with the side 'skirts' that run under the doors. The interior is a blend of carbon, leather and BrighTex® fabric - a combination designed to lend the cabin the feel of a racing car, and one that looks most effective in the black/silver grey you see here.

At Frankfurt Maserati will also be showing their revised four-seater in Quattroporte Executive GT and the Quattroporte Sport GT set-up, as well as the Coupé Vintage and GranSport Coupé, and the GranSport’s track version, the Trofeo GranSport.

The company are usingg the IAA show to launch its Quattroporte Car Configurator, a computer graphics simulator that allows customers to experiment and appreciate the cars using an exclusively designed 3D multimedia set up. The configurator has its own site - www.configurator.maserati.com.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Maserati