Cambiocorsa Spyder

What you are looking at is the latest model of Maserati, the 2003 Cambiocorsa Spyder GT. Maserati is hoping that this model and the coupe can help bring its sales back to life in North America. The design is by Giugiaro, and built by Ferrari. If we are to extrapolate from last year’s sales, Maserati should expect 75% of the orders be for the Spyder. Since I am a Spyder man, I will put my order in and be part of the majority.

One of the key selling points of the car, focused toward people that like speed, is the Tiptronic-style shifters. The idea is borrowed from Formula-1 racing.

Cambiocorsa is similar-to-nearly-identical to the shifters used in Formula 1 racing. Paddles are located behind the steering wheel to shift up (right paddle) or down (left paddle). There is a learning curve to remember how to shift into neutral and first, for example, but once you’ve been in the car for a short while the shifting is effortless. The car even “double clutches” on downshifts - automatically. Cambiocorsa is also adaptive, so if you choose to drive the car hard, it will shift hard for you. If you just poke along, it will poke along with you.

There’s also an “auto” mode that can be actuated by a button on the center console. This puts it in automatic mode, although Maserati won’t admit to having an automatic transmission. Again, the transmission adapts to your driving style, and upshifts and downshifts at appropriate points. The indicator on the dash that tells you what gear you’re in with the paddles, also indicates which gear you’re in with the “auto” mode, something you don’t get with Tiptronic-style shifters. Maserati also claims that Cambiocorsa is faster than Tiptronic.

Another piece of technology helps the car maintain its smooth ride. Computers marrying automobiles makes it all possible.

Maserati uses what it calls a Skyhook automatic damping system. With this system, the shock absorber adjustments are altered in real time based on the driving conditions and smooth out rough portions of the road. Skyhook also provides for a firm ride that isn’t going to give you kidney problems later. Even though our ride took us over some rough roads, there was minimal input to the passenger compartment.

While neither car can be considered inexpensive, compared to the Ferraris they will share showroom space with, they’re bargains. The Spyder GT has a list price of $90,015, with Cambiocorse adding $3,200 to that price. The Coupe GT is $84,025, with the same $3,200 additional for Cambiocorsa. Personally, I’d choose the Cambiocorsa Coupe.

With 390 horsepower pushing the Maserati an estimated top speed for the Coupe should be around 170mph, for the Spyder it should be a little slower. Well, by looking at the sticker price, I would have to sell my house and move to a shack in order to get one of these bad boys. I’ll have to do some slick talking to the wife in order to pull this one off. Maybe I should rethink this one.

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