2005 Maserati Spyder Review

Pulling Cues from Quattroporte

While 2005 is bearing down upon all with great speed, Maserati seems to be heading back to the 1960s. In a time of mass platform sharing to cut costs and robotized manufacturing facilities, the Italian exotic car firm is turning to a technique from its earlier days to lure in new customers.

Almost every year since the cars introduction in 2003, both the Coupe and Spyder have received minor exterior and interior modifications. In a segment of the market as risky as selling six-figure sports cars, visually distinguish the latest models is the best way to keep clients interested.

For model year 2005, the major visible change is that both cars get a new front bumper. It takes a keener eye to identify the slightly larger grille, more pronounced in its shape, features four horizontal ribs and a larger version of the corporate trident. It extends slightly from the cars hood, whereas the current model is flush-fitting. Additionally, the parking light and turn signal bezel has been shifted closer to the grille and features a clear lens with orange indicator bulbs as opposed to the orange-tinted lenses of models past. Accenting the new bumper is a redesigned lower valance, separate from the bumper.

The purpose of the nose job is to begin the unification process of Maseratis sports cars with the luxurious Quattroporte executive sedan, a glorious modern example of Italian heritage which marks the brands reentry into the ultra-luxury segment after a brief hiatus.

The front end of the vehicle isnt the only design cue thats visually connected to the Quattroporte. On the 05 Coupe the classic trident-in-oval badge, originally designed by Maserati stylist Frua in 1963, will appear on the C-Pillar, identical to the one on the Quattroporte.

The Coupe and Spyder also come standard with 7-spoke light alloy wheels, with the classic 15-spoke design available as an extra-cost option.

From the rear both cars undergo light modifications as well. No, the graceful “boomerang” LED taillights from the older European-only 3200 GT model havent made their comeback, but the rear light cluster has been sufficiently cleaned up. No longer is the taillight unit divided into segments topped with white and orange indicators, but Maserati has replaced this with a jewel-like crystal-clear unit with a solid white top and orange bulb. A new rear bumper completes the ensemble, featuring ventilation slats to aid in evacuating heat from the brakes, as well as a center-mounted vent featuring a cross mesh grille for a sporty but elegant touch.

Inside both coupe and drop-top, Maserati improves on its already opulent accommodations by adding two-tone hand-stitched leather, where the upper and lower components of the dashboard, doors and roll bars use different colors of hides to offer contrast. The center console and door panels now feature standard aluminum trim, or optional wood whereas earlier models did without. Maserati has restyled the instrument cluster as well, so that the gauge surfaces now blue and white rather than black and white, said to improve readability. This treatment also mirrors that in the Quattroporte sedan.

Minor details, linked to practicality and simplicity have been rectified on the 05 models. On cars equipped with the Cambiocorsa six-speed sequential gearbox, the shift gate has been reorganized to include a Drive position which, when the T-Shaped lever is slotted into that position, the car is put into first gear. Previously, the gear gate had two positions, requiring the driver to select first gear via the steering-column mounted paddles.

There are no changes to the 2005 Coupe and Spyders 4.2-L, 32-valve, DOHC V8, however, still featuring a larger displacement derivative of Ferraris 360 Modena V8 with 390-horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. In last years car it was good for a zero to 60 mph sprint of about 4.8 seconds in coupe form, which is considerably quick given the luxury appointments that weigh this Maserati down.

Luxury aside, the updated model gets a little more practical, with an enlarged storage bin having been added in addition to the glove box.

A new color has been added to the Coupe/Spyders extensive portfolio called “Rame Ghibli,” a light crystal-blue metallic; this might be the biggest giveaway factor to identifying the new Coupe and Spyder as it should be quite popular.

Maserati has announced that both vehicles will reach dealer showrooms by September, although a price has yet to be finalized. It is expected that like the previous minor update, the increase will be either marginal or there wont be any increase at all, as no mechanical changes have been made.

Its important to note, that while the 2005 model offers subtle changes to align styling details of the coupe and convertible models to its Quattroporte sedan, a much more thorough update is expected in about a year. Company insiders say the next-generation Maserati sports models will mirror the Quattroporte even more closely.