Maserati has a lot on its plate for a small car manufacturer. There are rumored plans for new "S" sport models GranTurismo, a GT Spyder version, a new baby coupe and sedan, as well as its already shown off a racing version of the GranTurismo. The Italian boutique Italian firm has so many projects going on, we sometimes question if it will be able to go through with them all. So we are a little comforted to see progress being made on one of the more obviously needed projects, the GranTurismo Spyder.

The spy shot shows a car with a metal folding hardtop, but according to Car Magazine spacial requirements for the trunk require a cloth roof in production. Car's closer inspection confirmed there will be back seats in the GT's Spyder (something that was deleted on the 3200->ke333 and 4200 drop-top models.)

The new Spyder is designed by Pininfarina and will use the family architecture of the Granturismo and Quattroporte. It will use the same the same 4.2- and 4.7-litre V8 engines. Expect to see an almost finished version in late 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show with sales to begin in 2010.

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