Maserati Spyder set for Aussie launch in Sydney

MASERATI'S spectacular new Spyder will make its southern hemisphere debut at the Sydney Motor Show on October 11 - three weeks after its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Italian sportscar manufacturer will rush an example of the car from Frankfurt after its unveiling by world champion Michael Schumacher to Sydney as part of the convertible's worldwide launch.

Maserati has released the first pictures and technical details of the new Spyder ahead of its unveiling.

The sister car to the 3200GT coupe features an all-new 4.2 litre V8 engine which produces 287 kilowatts of power and 451 Newton-metres of torque.

The engine is smaller and significantly lighter than previous Maserati V8s, with better fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions.

The Spyder also features a transaxle transmission for better weight distribution.

It can also be had with an electronically-actuated six-ratio sequential gearbox called Cambiocorsa.

The computer-controlled system is a more advanced version of the gearbox used in the 360 Modena model of Maserati's parent company Ferrari.

The gearbox borrows from Formula One experience by featuring selection levers behind the steering wheel.

The Spyder will also be the first production car in the world fitted with the Skyhook automatic damper control system.

The system, developed by German company Mannesmann-Sachs, uses sensors and a central computer to interpret the road conditions and instantly adjusts the damper settings.

Maserati claims the Skyhook system is 10 times faster than existing systems and greatly improves driving quality.

The suspension works in conjunction with an advanced braking system, developed with Brembo, which is claimed to set new road car performance standards.

Maserati's Australian national sales and marketing manager Herbert Appleroth said he expected the Spyder to go on sale in November. Sales are restricted by allocation from the factory to no more than 10 in 2001 and 25 in 2002.

He predicted a 12 month to three year waiting list. Pricing is expected to be more than $210,000.