Background
The Maserati 4200GT Coupé and Spyder were based on the 3200GT, albeit with an engine that now displaced 4200cc rather than 3200cc. (You’d probably guessed that, hadn’t you?)
Unveiled in 2001, the tin-top was a full four-seater while the convertible was strictly for two; however, both shared the good stuff, namely the normally aspirated Ferrari/Maserati F136 V8 engine, which produces 385bhp and 332lb/ft of torque.
Beautifully engineered, the Coupé features a slightly longer wheelbase and a slightly lower kerb weight and remains the driver’s choice.
Both models feature Brembo disc brakes on all four corners and a light alloy double-wishbone suspension system, including the wonderfully named ‘Skyhook’ computer-controlled damping system, which was available as an option. Featuring coilover suspension units and no fewer than six accelerometers, the onboard computer analyses this feedback 40 times a second and co-ordinates it with the Cambiocorsa transmission.
The what?
Well, while the manual gearbox might be the traditionalist’s favourite, Maserati sold considerably more of the F1-inspired Cambiocorsa semi-automatic cars (about six-to-one, in fact…) largely because it shuffles the ratios very satisfactorily and suits the car’s grand touring nature very well.
Not that it is dull; one contemporary road tester wrote of it: “[the] Cambiocorsa is a whole lot of fun. You’ll find yourself zipping upand down the gears just for the sake of it, relishing the engines delicious throttle blip as you knock the gearbox down a couple of cogs as you enter your favourite hairpin.”
It’s a very quick car too, with the same report claiming a 0-62mph time of under five seconds and a top speed of 176mph.
Modestly facelifted in 2004, just over 6,400 Coupés were built in the six-year production cycle, along with almost 4,000 Spyders.
