More cubes for Maser's 4200 GT

MASERATI'S stylish 3200 GT coupe is certain never to be labelled a slouch. Even so, it's about to be replaced by a subtly restyled and even quicker 2+2 coupe called the 4200 GT.

Due to be formally revealed at next week's Detroit motor show and heralding the relaunch of the Italian marque in North America, Maserati's new coupe employs the recently released Spyder convertible's all-new 32-valve 4.2-litre alloy V8.

Producing almost 20kW more than the twin-turbo 3.2-litre V8 found in the current 3200 GT, the naturally-aspirated 4200 GT's extra litre of capacity (at 4.244 litres) is good for 290kW at some 7000rpm and around 450Nm of torque at 4500rpm.

The Ferrari-owned company's new V8, which is rumoured to be slated for use in future Prancing Horse models, is said to propel the revised Maserati coupe to a top speed of 285km/h and to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

That makes it some 0.2 seconds quicker than its predecessor and equal to some of the world's quickest dedicated two-seater supercars.

Apart from its standard six-speed manual transmission, the 4200 GT will also feature Ferrari's Formula One-style paddle-operated sequential manual gearshifting, which includes a full automatic option. And it comes in an advanced transaxle layout with the rear-mounted gearbox integrated into the differential to provide optimum weight distribution for better handling.

As these first official pictures show, Maserati's luxuriously equipped four-seater GT also shares some of the Spyder soft-top's styling cues. These include a more muscular bonnet line which gives a hint of the new engine below, and the new tail-light clusters with clear lenses instead of the current model's unique boomerang-shaped LED items.

Italdesign's restyle has resulted in a slightly longer 4523mm overall length, but interior space has been increased as well, with an additional 25mm of headroom and 15mm more legroom.

Weight is marginally up to 1670kg, but dimensions are otherwise unchanged and the updated GT will come with a new range of exterior colours. Leather trim, CD sound, climate control and four airbags will be standard fare when the Maserati 4200 GT arrives in Australia around mid-2002 with a pricetag expected to be competitive with the sub-$200,000 Porsche 911's.