The sporting characteristics and driving versatility of the car have been further optimised with the introduction of a new electronic transmission model known as Cambiocorsa (racing gearbox) in addition to the six-speed manual transmission version, which is badged as the GT.

The new Maserati is a product of the high technology and manufacturing processes centred in the famous Viale Ciro Menotti plant in Modena, Italy, which has been completely transformed to become the most advanced in the world for low volume production of vehicles.

Design

The design of the new Coupe reflects the same ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¡Ë¢çEcsoft aggressiveness¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec? already established by the 3200 GT. The two cars are broadly similar in appearance, sharing many design cues, but the changes introduced by Italdesign-Giugiaro are clearly evident in certain features of the new model, particularly the more muscular design of the bonnet and the rear end, where new clear lens light clusters have been harmoniously incorporated in the wings.

The Maserati identity is conveyed by numerous detail design features, first and foremost the new front nose, which sports the historic oval shield as well as the famous trident on the grille. The Coupe sits on 18" wheels with a 15-spoke design.

Bodywork

The body is a two-door, four-seater configuration. The engine is mounted longitudinally at the front, with rear-wheel drive and a Transaxle transmission. The steel monocoque chassis incorporates a tubular sub-chassis in the front. Great attention has been paid to all aspects of passive safety. This structure was designed to meet the latest EC and USA standards for front and side crash tests.

New engine, record performance

The engine of the Coupe is completely new and is the same as that fitted to the recently launched Maserati Spyder.

The 4244 cc, 90¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¡Ë¢ç¢®¡¿¢®E¡Ëc V8 engine is compact and lightweight, weighing just 184 kg which is 20 kg lighter than the 3200 GT Coupe engine. It shares the same architecture as modern competition engines, and heralds a new generation of Maserati engines which are designed to combine superb performance with noteworthy improvements in torque, efficiency and emissions.

The integrated Bosch ME7.3.2 ignition and injection systems incorporate OBD II (On-Board Detection and Diagnostic System), which allows operating malfunctions in the engine control system to be detected, to guarantee compliance with emissions limits. The new engine also meets current and future environmental protection standards.

New for 2005

The main change is to the front bumper which is fitted with a horizontally ribbed radiator grille inspired by that of the Quattroporte. It is one that reflects the ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¡Ë¢çEcfamily¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec? feel of the range. The rear bumper is also new. It is sportier and features wide air intakes shielded by a black, tight mesh grille. The link with the Quattroporte is reinforced in the Coupe with the placing of the classic oval and arrow Trident badge on the rear side panels, as styled by Frua in 1963.

With the Year 2005 model, the interior can be contrasted with different coloured leathers for the central zone of the seats, dashboard and upper door panels. The instrumentation boasts new, sporty blue and white graphics that are easier to read.

The seven-spoke rims are now standard while the fifteen-spoke rims remain an optional extra. The aluminium coloured kit on the console and the door moulding will now be standard.

Other modifications have been made to the interior with the central tunnel having been redesigned with a bigger storage compartment.

The reverse gear lever now has a D (for Drive) option for selecting first gear. To complete the changes, the new Coupe and Spyder models come with an extra metallic paint finish, ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¡Ë¢çEcRame Ghibli¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?.

The Model Year 2005 Coupe and Spyder will be available at the Maserati dealer network from September.