Maserati has taken the four-seat, two-door package of its GranTurismo coupé and turned it into a coupé- convertible Spyder.

It’s about time Maserati enthusiasts got a chance to enjoy open-top motoring again.
 
The old Spyder ended production in 2007 and it has taken two years since the excellent GranTurismo coupé arrived to get its Spyder sibling ready for sale.

But early impressions, ahead of its launch at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, are that the wait will have been worth it.

It’s as stylish yet understated as the GranTurismo, but will have a folding metal roof to ensure owners can enjoy year-round usability as well as the wind-in-the-hair feeling when the sun comes out.

That roof might mean buyers can’t expect much in the way of boot space, if the engineers have managed to avoid compromising the GranTurismo’s true four-seater capability.
Expect the GranTurismo’s duo of 4.2-litre and 4.6-litre V8s to carry over into the Spyder, so it will have all the urge enthusiasts will expect. 

Pricing is likely to start at around the £90,000 mark.

Such model proliferation is a sign of the times at Maserati. After years of losses, it has now turned a profit for two consecutive years and bosses vow it will not slip into the red in 2009.

• Launch Will enter the UK market in early 2010 after the Frankfurt unveiling this September
• Design A folding metal roof will protect owners from the elements
• Key rivals Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, BMW M6 convertible