Majestic and impressive the new Maserati 4200 Spyder looks at the future proudly. Since its repurchase by Ferrari and the launching of this fabulous half-compartment the Maserati mark continue to astonishing us. The first model (3200 GT) as tempting as original kept the old Maserati motorization, namely V8 Bi-turbo 3L2 already present in the Shamal half-compartment. With 370 horses and two turbos low pressure the control of this racing car was not a sinecure. Moreover the antipatinage was often overflowed, at the point to let exceed the aft wheels as soon as optimism was expressed on wet ground. Today the defects were corrected mainly by the adoption of new elements of Ferrari origin...

Written : Jérome TORFJMAN

PRESENTATION
In its delivered yellow sharp, Maserati 4200 Spyder has as much charm than beautiful Italian with the black eyes. Pulpy, generous its design does not leave indifferent, one requires only one thing by seeing it: to be able to control it. The bent wings wrap generous tires with low size and the rims with 15 rays are always more beautiful effect. Since the adoption of the new motorization, the rear lights standard boomerang disappeared with the profit from standard fires. One will be able to regret it because their style lengthened according to the round-off of the trunk offered an incomparable seal to half-compartment 3200. But the American standards have reasons which the design is unaware of! The front one, it, remains unchanged, aggressive and plunging with the strong current of the bitumen, the glance impresses. Two fires, under glass, accompany with wonder the veins by the cap which plunge to the mythical three-pronged fork of the grill. With share the notable loss of the two back places with the arrival of the hood. The interior of Spyder does not change from one version to another, one is always in a car of prestige: “it does not miss anything”. Entirely tightened leather, the cockpit mixes noble materials. One can thus choose the presentation drink, aluminum or carbon. It is the latter which I will advise so much the grain sinks loan of technicality of material offers an additional key of sportivity. The watch with the pre-1940s style is always present at the center of the console, for the greatest pleasure of nostalgic of the great time. One will note, all the same, the effort made for the adjustment which shows a little more rigour than before.

ENGINE
For reasons of production cost the Maserati engine was turned off since the last end of the year. But even if a certain melancholy can invade us while thinking of the extraordinary resumptions of Bi-turbo, one should not complain; because the Ferrari house made the most beautiful gift which one can make with a GT… an EXCEPTIONAL engine. Extrapolated v8 3.6 liters of Modena, the new engine of the 4200 passed to 4,2 liters by the increase in the cubic capacity and the lengthening of the race. The result is there! A power certainly moves back about it compared to Ferrari (390 horses) but an increased availability and the possibility of leading a less pointed engine (Red Zone with 7000 tr/min). The more important couple is perfectly in agreement with the concept Grand Tourism of the car. Once started the engine shows a beautiful sonority serious and raucous, low in the turns, it becomes metal and ragor at the time of the rises in modes. What to once more give the desire for taking the road…

ON THE ROAD
The first minutes (in car mode) with caution shell so much the brutal memory of the 3200 GT is present. The pallets at the wheel recall that we are not in true automatics and the desire for making speak the powder awakes. A prospect is announced, one then changes dimension, the descent a speed makes pass limps it in sequential mode. A blow of accelerator and the monster reveals its true character. The musical quality of the 8 cylinders forces to await the red zone. The needle goes up quickly and acceleration becomes titanic, one tears time… Just not to forget that the higher report/ratio must be engaged. One draws on the pallet, slackening the accelerator, limps it deals with us to give a short moment of inertia before going around. The meter panics, in third the push remains dishevelling, the end of the straight line arrives before realizing that in 600 meters the car exceeded 200 km/h. Consequently, I am given 30 minutes of sportivity to test the animal; some goings beyond flashes; gas envoutants blows to the rétrogradages; the frame in sport mode is shown firmer and with the height; a little just the brakes fish in endurance. To also note that the frame, although rigorous, lack of rigidity and reveal its limits in very sporting control and on slightly degraded roads. Calms cost when I disconnect the sport mode, the controlled suspension (Skyhook) becomes softer and attentive. In car mode one finds the pleasure of leading a true GT and the engine shows quiet astonishment. One almost surprises oneself to roll on the couple while benefitting from the sound-proofing of the hood which has normal speed is appreciable. Unfortunately after an hour and half at the wheel, it is time to return this marvellous machine.

CONCLUSION
Finally it is necessary to realize that we are in the presence of a convertible except standard: travelling trains of Maranello Ferrari, engine of Modena, Interior of Maserati, image mixing luxury and personality. Here Ferrari makes it possible to us to roll in a car out of the commun run for a price less excessive than to the practice. We are far from the vehicles (for certain spangled) to which the image is enough to justify the price. Still more far from the savage animals which can only hum and howl either. And at years lights of so much of marks which try to convince with mechanics of another age. Here all is only order and beauty… Luxate, Calme and Sportivité!

99 000 Euros (01/10/02)
33 CV
CHARACTERISTICS
Engine: V8, 32valves
Cubic capacity: 4244 cm3
Power: 390 ch at 7000 tr/mn
Torque: 46 Mkg at 4500 tr/mn
Transmission: REAR manual or sequential 6 speed
Weight: 1730 Kg
Tires: Front 235/40 Rear 265/35 ZR18
PERFORMANCES
Max speed: 283 KM/H

CONSUMPTION
Mixed: 16.6 Liters/100km