Maserati Coupé
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The Maserati Coupé and Spyder (''Tipo M138'') are a series of
grand tourer A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either ...
s produced by Italian automaker
Maserati Maserati S.p.A. () is an Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer. Established on 1 December 1914, in Bologna, Italy, the company's headquarters are now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. The company has been owned by Stellantis since 2021. Ma ...
from 2001 to 2007. The two nameplates refer to the four-seater
coupé A coupe or coupé (, ) is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and two doors. The term ''coupé'' was first applied to horse-drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats. It comes from the French past parti ...
and two-seater
convertible A convertible or cabriolet () is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place. The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary among eras and manufacturers. A convertible car's design allows an open-air driving expe ...
models, respectively. The design of both models was based on the preceding 3200 GT, which was not sold in the US. Due to the confusing nature of the names "Maserati Coupé" and "Maserati Spyder" (which could refer to any coupé or convertible Maserati has made) the Coupé and Spyder are both commonly referred to as the 4200 GT, which is an evolution of the prior model name and a reference to the increase in
engine displacement Engine displacement is the measure of the cylinder volume swept by all of the pistons of a piston engine, excluding the combustion chambers. It is commonly used as an expression of an engine's size, and by extension as a loose indicator of the ...
from 3.2 L (3,217 cc) to 4.2 L (4,244 cc). The Spyder was first unveiled to the public at the 2001 Frankfurt Auto Show with the Coupé's debut following shortly thereafter at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show. Sales in the United States began in March 2002 for the Spyder and in May for the Coupé. The introduction of the Spyder heralded Maserati's return to the North American market after an 11-year hiatus. Almost as soon as it was introduced, the Spyder was selected by ''
Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also re ...
'' as the Best GT for 2001. The Coupé and Spyder were designed by
Giorgetto Giugiaro Giorgetto Giugiaro (; born 7 August 1938) is an Italian automotive designer. He has worked on supercars and popular everyday vehicles. He was born in Garessio, Cuneo, Piedmont. Giugiaro was named Car Designer of the Century in 1999 and inducted ...
of
ItalDesign Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. is a design and engineering company and brand based in Moncalieri, Italy, that traces its roots to the 1968 foundation of Studi Italiani Realizzazione Prototipi S.p.A. by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani. Best kno ...
, who also designed the
Ghibli Ghibli (Italian: , also used in English), the name of a hot desert wind also known as sirocco, derived from Libyan Arabic (, ). Ghibli may refer to: Vehicles * Maserati Ghibli, a model of car made by Italian auto manufacturer Maserati * Capron ...
, mid-engined Bora, Quattroporte III and the 3200 GT as well. Interior design was commissioned to
Enrico Fumia Enrico Fumia (born 16 May 1948) is an Italian automobile and product designer. He is widely known for his work with the car design firm Pininfarina, helping to design and package a new sports car version of the Alfa Romeo, which included front-whe ...
and was based heavily on the 3200 GT's interior, restyled in 1999. The cars were built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant in
Modena Modena (, , ; egl, label=Emilian language#Dialects, Modenese, Mòdna ; ett, Mutna; la, Mutina) is a city and ''comune'' (municipality) on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern I ...
, Italy. In total, 13,423 cars were produced before being replaced by the GranTurismo.


Design

The Maserati Coupé is a true four-seater capable of comfortably seating two adults in the rear seats. It has a wheelbase of which is about longer than the rival
Jaguar XK8 The Jaguar XK8 (project code X100) is a grand tourer launched by Jaguar Cars in 1996, and was the first generation of a new XK series. The XK8 was available in two-door coupé or two-door convertible body styles with the new 4.0-litre Jaguar A ...
and longer than a Porsche 911 (996). Overall vehicle length is , width is , and height is . Total curb weight is . The design is similar to the preceding 3200 GT but the boomerang shaped taillights were replaced in favour of more conventional units. The Maserati Spyder is a soft-top convertible and features a top that is electronically operated by a pushbutton on the center console. The top automatically stows beneath a hard cover that sits flush with the body in front of the boot. Both deployment and stowage of the top takes about 30 seconds. Arch-type roll bars are provided behind each seat. The Spyder's wheelbase is shorter than the Coupé's. Overall length is , width , and height . Curb weight is . In late 2004, the Coupé and Spyder underwent a minor facelift. This meant a new, somewhat larger grille with its lower edge pulled somewhat lower into the lower lip of the front bumper was installed. The Spyder also got a glass rear window in 2003 instead of the standard plastic material. The new grille also features horizontal bars, while the 1963 style oval Maserati logo “Saetta” now mounted on the C-pillars, and a new air outlet (as per GranSport versions) featured with a new rear bumper.


Specifications

The Maserati Coupé and Spyder utilise the same vehicle systems – engine, transmission, suspension, and interior driver and front passenger controls and safety equipment. Their performance specifications are almost identical, with some reviewers claiming that the Coupé has better performance due to its lesser weight and more rigid body structure, while others measured faster performance from the Spyder. Both models came standard with 18 inch alloy wheels that originally had a 15-spoke design, but after 2003 most buyers chose the optional 7-spoke sport wheels which became standard by 2005. Maserati offered sixteen exterior colours, ten shades of leather interior along with the ability to select among colours for various interior details such as the piping and stitching used. Five colours for the Spyder's convertible top were also offered.


Engine

Both models utilize the ''F136 R'' V8 belonging to the Ferrari/Maserati F136 engine family; it displaces 4,244 cc and is rated at at 7,000 rpm with a peak torque of at 4,500 rpm. Significant changes from the prior 3200 GT engine were the larger displacement resulting from an increased cylinder bore diameter and the move to a naturally aspirated intake system which replaced the twin-turbocharged induction approach Maserati had used for the previous 20 years, fundamentally because the powertrain was now Ferrari based. The crankshaft is of crossplane design. The engine operates at a compression ratio of 11.1:1 with the eight cylinders configured in a 90° V design. The cylinder bore diameter is and piston stroke length is . The engine shares many of the design features of modern racing engines, including dry sump lubrication, a pump assembly located outside the crankcase, and four valves per cylinder. The 32-valve
DOHC An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion c ...
utilises chain-driven, twin-overhead camshafts that provide valve actuation in less than 0.15 seconds, with the intake cams being controlled by variable valve timing. The crankcase and cylinder heads are made from an aluminium and silicon alloy, giving the engine a relatively light weight of .


Transmission

The
manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
is a six-speed unit that was available either as a GT or CC (Cambiocorsa) using
paddle shifters A semi-automatic transmission is a "theoretical" multiple-speed transmission where part of its operation is automated (typically the actuation of the clutch), but the driver's input would be required to launch the vehicle from a standstill and to ...
. The GT version utilises a foot-operated
clutch A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...
, whereas the Cambiocorsa (Italian, meaning "race shift”) is an
automated manual transmission The automated manual transmission (AMT) is a type of transmission for motor vehicles. It is essentially a conventional manual transmission but uses automatic actuation to operate the clutch and/or shift between gears. Many early versions of t ...
. It uses a
Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
-type gearbox, built by
Graziano Trasmissioni Dana Graziano (former Graziano Trasmissioni) is an Italian company based in Turin manufacturing gearboxes, drivelines and their mechatronics components. It makes the "Pre-Cog" seven-speed Seamless-Shift gearbox (SSG) dual-clutch transmission used ...
, with hydraulic operation and electronic management operated by F1-style paddles behind the steering wheel, similar to the system used in Ferrari sports cars. The system allows the driver to choose between four different operating modes: Normal, Sport, Auto and Low Grip. Each of these programs is selected by means of console-mounted buttons, corresponding to different types of operating mode. By switching between the Normal and Sport modes, the driver can select between different
electronic stability control Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction ( skiddi ...
settings and, if installed, different
active suspension An active suspension is a type of automotive suspension on a vehicle. It uses an onboard system to control the vertical movement of the vehicle's wheels relative to the chassis or vehicle body rather than the passive suspension provided by large sp ...
settings. Normal mode provides a more comfortable ride, whereas Sport mode stiffens up the suspension and provides fast gear shifts of around a quarter of a second. Automatic mode electronically handles shifting of the transmission, but allows the driver to rapidly revert to manual using the F1-style paddles. The Low Grip, or Ice mode, allows for smooth starting and gear changes on snow and ice. The transmission is of a
transaxle A transaxle is a single mechanical device which combines the functions of an automobile's transmission, axle, and differential into one integrated assembly. It can be produced in both manual and automatic versions. Engine and drive at the ...
type and located at the rear of the vehicle. It is integrated in with the differential, unlike its predecessor. This gives both the Coupé and Spyder a 48/52% weight distribution between the front and rear axles.


Suspension

The Maserati Coupé and Spyder both have a light alloy
double wishbone suspension A double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design for automobiles using two (occasionally parallel) wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckle ...
. The rear suspension is fitted with a toe-in regulator bar which enhances the precision of the drive train and provides balanced cornering. The front suspension layout incorporates “anti-dive” features to prevent nose-diving when braking. The suspension system is completed by front and rear
anti-roll bars An anti-roll bar (roll bar, anti-sway bar, sway bar, stabilizer bar) is a part of many automobile suspensions that helps reduce the body roll of a vehicle during fast cornering or over road irregularities. It connects opposite (left/right) whee ...
. Perhaps the most highly regarded option is a computer-controlled suspension damping system called "Skyhook". This adaptive damping system uses coil-over shock absorbers and a set of six
accelerometer An accelerometer is a tool that measures proper acceleration. Proper acceleration is the acceleration (the rate of change of velocity) of a body in its own instantaneous rest frame; this is different from coordinate acceleration, which is accele ...
s that continually monitor the movement of the wheels along with the car's body and transmits this information to a control unit. The vehicle's computer analyses this data and coordinates it with the Cambiocorsa transmission and other Maserati safety systems. Skyhook then calculates, and recalculates the data at least 40 times per second and instantaneously adjusts each shock absorber accordingly. When placed in the Sport mode, the suspension firms up for better cornering.


Safety

Both models are equipped with front and side driver and passenger airbags as well as seat belt pre-tensioners. Driving stability is provided by Maserati Stability Program (MSP) which became standard on the 2004 models and controls the engine and brakes to help the driver control the vehicle in extreme driving situations. The MSP system integrates four different vehicle systems - the anti-slip regulation
traction control A traction control system (TCS), also known as ASR (from german: Antriebsschlupfregelung, lit=drive slippage regulation), is typically (but not necessarily) a secondary function of the electronic stability control (ESC) on production motor vehicle ...
(ASR), the motor spin regulation (MSR), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and
anti-lock braking system An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby maintaini ...
(ABS). The wheels employ a high-performance
Brembo Brembo S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. Its head office is in Curno, Bergamo, Italy. History Brembo was established in Paladina, Italy on January 11, 1961 ...
braking system with light alloy four-piston calipers and cross-drilled large ventilating brake discs.


Interior

The Coupé and Spyder came standard with an infotainment system present on the centre console that combines audio and climate controls. An optional GPS navigation system and hands-free
GSM The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation ( 2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such ...
phone were also available as options integrated into the infotainment system. Additional optional equipment includes xenon headlights, upgraded audio system and CD changer,
electrochromic Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material displays changes in color or opacity in response to an electrical stimulus. In this way, a smart window made of an electrochromic material can block specific wavelengths of ultraviolet, vis ...
rear view mirror, rear
parking sensors Parking sensors are proximity sensors for road vehicles designed to alert the driver of obstacles while parking. These systems use either electromagnetic or ultrasonic sensors. Ultrasonic systems These systems feature ultrasonic proximity dete ...
, seat heaters, and
cruise control Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a ste ...
. Various interior trim packages were offered, including a leather headliner featuring a grosgrain pattern, and either a carbon fibre kit or Briar wood kit sporting wood portions of the steering wheel, door trim, and shifter. Purchasers could even order custom Maserati luggage, made to match their car's interiors.


Maserati GranSport

The Maserati GranSport is a sportier version of the Coupé that was first unveiled at the March 2004
Geneva Motor Show The Geneva International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. The Salon is organised by th ...
. It featured improved aerodynamics, retuned suspension, engine and transmission, and a sportier interior.
Frank Stephenson Frank Stephenson (; born 3 October 1959) is a Moroccan-born American automobile designer who has worked for Ford, BMW, Mini, Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and McLaren. Motor Trend magazine has called him "one of the most influ ...
, as newly appointed Director of Ferrari-Maserati Concept Design and Development, was responsible for exterior and interior redesign. An open-top GranSport Spyder with similar modifications was introduced a year later, at the September 2005
Frankfurt Motor Show The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
. It is powered by the same 4,244 cc, dry sump, 90° V8 engine used on the standard Coupé and Spyder. However, the engine is rated at at 7,000 rpm due primarily to a different exhaust system and improvements on the intake manifolds and valve seats. Only the six-speed ''Cambiocorsa'' paddle shift transmission was offered, and was recalibrated for quicker shifts. The exhaust, equipped with bypass valves, was also specially tuned to "growl" on start-up and full throttle. The GranSport used the Skyhook active suspension, with a lower ride height. Other than height, the exterior dimensions and curb weight were unchanged from the Cambiocorsa Coupé and Spyder. The GranSport had a claimed top speed of , and a acceleration time of 4.85 seconds. The higher top speed was possible due to a taller sixth gear ratio and more aerodynamic body cladding. New bumpers, side skirts, rear lip spoiler and underbody panels lowered the
drag coefficient In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient (commonly denoted as: c_\mathrm, c_x or c_) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment, such as air or water. It is used in the drag equ ...
by 0.02 to 0.33 and simultaneously reduced lift. Chrome mesh grilles to the front and rear bumpers, and "Trofeo"-design 19-inch wheels with trident-shaped spokes were other distinguishing exterior features. Inside, the GranSport was fitted with wide, highly contoured sport seats, which required a slimmer centre console (constructed in carbon fibre) and elastic door pockets. Carbon fibre was also used to for the dashboard trim and on the new thick-rimmed steering wheel. On the coupé, the upholstery materials were leather and technical cloth (in black, Nickel Gray or Metal Blue) on the seat centres, backs and dashboard fascia; the Spyder had an all-leather interior. Seven paint colours were available: solid Giallo Granturismo and Rosso Mondiale, metallic Nero Carbonio, Blu Mediterraneo, Grigio Alfieri and Grigio Touring, and special triple-layer white Bianco Fuji.


GS Zagato

The limited production Maserati GS Zagato was introduced by
Zagato Zagato is an independent coachbuilding company and total design centre located northwest of Milan in Terrazzano, a small village near Rho, Lombardy, Italy. The company's premises occupies an area of 23,000 square metres (250,000 sq ft)- 11,000 of ...
at the 2007
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este () is a Concours d'Elegance event in Italy for classic car, classic and vintage cars. It takes place annually near the Villa d'Este (Cernobbio), Villa d'Este hotel in Cernobbio, on the western shore of Lake Como ...
. Its design is inspired by the 1954
Maserati A6 Maserati A6 were a series of grand tourers, racing sports cars and single seaters made by Maserati of Italy between 1947 and 1956. They were named for Alfieri Maserati (one of the Maserati brothers, founders of Maserati) and for their straight-si ...
G Berlinetta Zagato. Cars were based on a shorter GranSport Spyder chassis with aluminium bodywork designed by Norihiko Harada. The two-seater coupé was commissioned by a Maserati CEO, Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and in total only nine units were created.


A8GCS Berlinetta

Concept car based on the Maserati GranSport from coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, presented in 2009. File:Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring (14603448625).jpg File:Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring (14580442426).jpg File:Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring (14602839772).jpg


Maserati Trofeo

The Maserati Trofeo is a racing version of the Coupé that was introduced in 2003. It utilises the standard engine of the coupé that is rated at due to a revised engine mapping and a modified free-flowing exhaust that uses a baffle-free
muffler A muffler (North American and Australian English) or silencer (British English) is a device for reducing the noise emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine—especially a noise-deadening device forming part of the exhaust sys ...
. Vehicle weight was reduced by as a result of many comfort oriented components being stripped out: soundproofing, air conditioning, and the leather interior were left out, with the regular seats being replaced by racing seats. Carbon-fibre doors and hood replaced the standard car's steel components, and plexiglass replaced the side window glass. The result is a 0- acceleration time of 4.0 seconds. A Trofeo racing series was organized for enthusiasts, with a per-race rental charge of about US$20,000. For the 2005 season of the race, the Coupé-based Trofeo was updated and since based on GranSport model. A Trofeo Light (or simply the Maserati Light) was also developed for use in various national and international racing series, including the
Italian GT Championship The Italian GT Championship (''Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo'') is an Italian sports car series founded in 2003 and organized by the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) and the Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana (CSAI). It replaced a ...
,
Rolex Sports Car Series The Rolex Sports Car Series was the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It was a North American-based sports car series founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed ...
, and
FIA GT3 European Championship The FIA GT3 European Championship was a sports car racing series organized by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO) and regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It was a championship derived from the international FIA ...
. It is distinguishable from the ''Trofeo'' by having a wider flared wheel-arches with air-exhaust behind front wheels and wider rear spoiler.


Special editions

The Maserati Coupé and Spyder special editions are primarily exterior trim packages that were only offered for certain model years or on a limited number of vehicles. They include: * 2004 'Spyder 90th Anniversary' * GranSport 'Limited Edition' * 2006 GranSport 'MC Victory' * 2006 GranSport 'Contemporary Classic' * 2007 GranSport 'Maserati and Cornes 10th Anniversary' Also, in 2004, a Vintage trim package was introduced. It includes chrome air-exhaust vents in the front fenders, a new polished wheel design, silver-finished brake calipers, and chrome door handles. The front fender vents were intended to evoke those of the 1957 3500 GT. A 2004 Coupé 90th Anniversary edition was announced, but apparently never produced. The 'Spyder 90th Anniversary' was shown in late 2004 and produced in the limited number of 90 cars for North America and another 90 cars for the rest of the world. 15 were in right-hand drive, mainly for Britain. This edition is not a GranSport but a regular Spyder model that is visually based on the GranSport bodykit (without power upgrades), and may be recognised by its oval Maserati badges on the front fenders, titanium coloured brake calipers, grey headlamp housings and a special blue/grey interior with limited edition plaque. The headrests also received aerodynamic fairings behind the rollover bars. Special ''Blu Anniversary'' paint could be chosen. The 'MC Victory' edition features details made out of carbon fibre like: front splitter, racing seats and rear nolder. Centre console bears the limited edition plaque and there are Italian flag emblems embedded into front fenders. Most cars were chosen in exclusive ''Blu Victory'' paint. It was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show to celebrate the racing success of the MC12 GT1. Only 181 cars were made. A 'Limited Edition', destined for US market is recognizable for the “Saetta” logo featuring the Trident with red accents and oval Maserati badges on front fenders. The GranSport 'Contemporary Classic' was offered in 4 basic colours with interior piping around the seats and dashboard matching with body paint. Also recognisable by light blue dials. GranSport 'Maserati and Cornes 10th Anniversary', 35 units were made to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Japanese importer Cornes & Co. cooperation with Maserati. It was available in black or white with beige or blue interior respectively. Front fenders sport the same Italian flag emblem as MC Victory. Interior features include a limited edition plaque, but without numbering, and light blue dials.


Maserati 420 Super Monoposto

The Maserati 420 Super Monoposto is a one-off RHD car inspired by the 2001 Maserati 320S concept. It was revealed in July 2016 at the Brooklands Motor Museum. File:Maserati 420 Super Monoposto.jpg


References


Notes


Bibliography

*


External links


Maserati
official website {{DEFAULTSORT:Maserati Coupe
Coupe A coupe or coupé (, ) is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and two doors. The term ''coupé'' was first applied to horse-drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats. It comes from the French past parti ...
Cars introduced in 2001 Cars discontinued in 2007 Grand tourers Coupés Roadsters Rear-wheel-drive vehicles