Last year Maserati sold 5,000 Quattroporte models, most being the new automatic version which was introduced at the beginning of the year, and around 1,300 units of the new GranTurismo (above), which began first deliveries in the autumn. The first Pininfarina-designed Spyder prototypes hit the demanding Nürburgring track back in May 2004 for initial tests, followed by winter testing in Arjeplog. At this stage, the prototype mules of the Spyder were outwardly at a more advanced stage than those of the GranTurismo

Reports from the Detroit Motor Show reveal that Maserati will introduce a convertible version of the new GranTurismo model next March as the Modenese firm chases a sales target of 12,000 units per year by 2011.

Maserati will need to supplement its current two model range, comprising of the Quattroporte which debuted in late 2003 and the stylish new GranTurismo which is based on the luxury saloon’s floorpan and mechanicals, if it is to reach this demanding target. Maserati is estimated to have sold 7,353 units last year, a new record, and well up from the 5,714 units it shifted in 2006. Bolstered by the arrival of the new GranTurismo as well as a genuine automatic version of the Quattroporte, the firm, led by CEO Roberto Ronchi, expects to sell around 9,000 units this year before breaching the 10,000 barrier in 2009.

Now the product strategy will see a convertible version of the acclaimed new GranTurismo joining the range next year. “The convertible will go on sale in March 2009, but we have not decided yet at which show we will unveil it," Automotive News Europe quoted ‘a company source’ as saying during this week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. At this show the Trident has unveiled a limited-edition version of the Quattroporte Executive GT, dubbed the Quattroporte Collezione Cento, and which features even more luxurious interior and exterior finishes.

Last year Maserati sold 5,000 Quattroporte models, most being the new automatic version which was introduced at the beginning of the year, and around 1,300 units of the new GranTurismo, which began first deliveries in the autumn, reports ANE. The rest of sales comprised final sales of the outgoing GranSport and GranSport Spyder models.

Building convertible sportscars has been a long standing Trident tradition, and particularly since Fiat acquired the Modena-based firm. The previous generation Spyder was highly popular and culminated in the final edition GranSport Spyder. During the long development phase of the GranTurismo model, convertible development ran alongside the coupé project, with much speculation at the time suggesting that the open top model could actually arrive first.

Maserati has also put much work into utilizing the new ‘folding hardtop’ technology, that has burst into mainstream fashion this decade, on the future Spyder. However according to ANE’s report from the Detroit show the new convertible will continue the brand’s tradition of using an electrically-operated canvas roof, much in the same manner as Mercedes-Benz’s CLK and BMW’s 650i Convertible.

The Spyder development story has so far seen multiple setbacks. The initial evolutionary designs were regarded as being too conservative, so the project went back to the drawing board in 2003. The first Pininfarina-designed prototypes hit the demanding Nürburgring track back in May 2004 for initial tests, followed by winter testing in Arjeplog. At this stage, the prototype mules of the Spyder were outwardly at a more advanced stage than those of the GranTurismo (which were based on a shortened Quattroporte body). Since then the development has seen its pace slow down due to factory reorganization. The definitive Spyder model is quoted by Maserati representatives to be an exceptionally pretty derivative of the GranTurismo.

Maserati’s ability to fund its own future model project developments will be further enhanced when it announces its first full year profit after more than a decade and a half of Fiat ownership. The news will be announced when the Fiat Group presents its 2007 annual report on 24th January. For the last reported period, the first nine months of last year, Maserati reported turnover of 485 million euros, up 29.3 percent, and an operating profit of 6 million euros (compared to a 32 million euro loss during the first three quarters of the previous year.