What is it? Maserati 320S Concept
What's special about it?
The 320S concept offers a preview of the future Maserati spyder, with its open body and shorter wheelbase than that of the 3200 GT coupe. Maserati calls the car a "barchetta between history and the future" and bills it as a concept that expresses the various themes in the future of the brand, including those built for racing customers.
A small windshield limited to the area in front of the driver mixes with a visible rollbar in back with an aerodynamic fairing behind it. The passenger side is covered, and there is no seat. These styling features echo the best Maserati sports cars of the past including the Tip 60/61 Birdcage, 200, 300S and 450S.
The 320S has a shorter wheelbase than the 3200GT and uses that car's 370 horsepower 3.2-liter turbocharged V8 and six-speed manual transmission. In view of the car's intended use on a racetrack, notable updates were made to the brakes, suspension and wheels and tires. These include bigger racing disc brakes, stiffer springs, adjustable shocks and 18x9.5-inch wheels up front and 18x10.5-inchers out back with Michelin tires.
Why should you care?
Gearing up for a return to the States, Maserati of North America was set up in 2000. The team is dedicated to returning Maserati to the USA, and organizational work will be done by end of 2001 with a view to seeing the return of the "Trident cars" to U.S. roads in 2002. The objective is to sell more than 40 percent of all Maserati output in the U.S., thus ensuring an important contribution to growth in international sales. The 320S concept will surely help the cause. — Miles Cook
What's special about it?
The 320S concept offers a preview of the future Maserati spyder, with its open body and shorter wheelbase than that of the 3200 GT coupe. Maserati calls the car a "barchetta between history and the future" and bills it as a concept that expresses the various themes in the future of the brand, including those built for racing customers.
A small windshield limited to the area in front of the driver mixes with a visible rollbar in back with an aerodynamic fairing behind it. The passenger side is covered, and there is no seat. These styling features echo the best Maserati sports cars of the past including the Tip 60/61 Birdcage, 200, 300S and 450S.
The 320S has a shorter wheelbase than the 3200GT and uses that car's 370 horsepower 3.2-liter turbocharged V8 and six-speed manual transmission. In view of the car's intended use on a racetrack, notable updates were made to the brakes, suspension and wheels and tires. These include bigger racing disc brakes, stiffer springs, adjustable shocks and 18x9.5-inch wheels up front and 18x10.5-inchers out back with Michelin tires.
Why should you care?
Gearing up for a return to the States, Maserati of North America was set up in 2000. The team is dedicated to returning Maserati to the USA, and organizational work will be done by end of 2001 with a view to seeing the return of the "Trident cars" to U.S. roads in 2002. The objective is to sell more than 40 percent of all Maserati output in the U.S., thus ensuring an important contribution to growth in international sales. The 320S concept will surely help the cause. — Miles Cook
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