01.10.2004 As the Maserati revival continues to gather pace there always seems to be something new on their motor show stands these days, this time in Paris, its the Model Year 05 Coupe AND Spyder

With each major motor show the Maserati revival gathers steam, new models being unveiled and new achievements being celebrated.

The Paris Mondial de l'Automobile is no different in that respect, building on what has been an exciting year for the sporty Italian brand.

Their stand, finished in Maserati's corporate dark blue and white colours, reflected what is an ever strengthening range. The super-luxury Quattroporte saloon was unveiled exactly a year ago in Frankfurt, while the awesome 6.0-litre V12 Maserati MC12 has just returned the Trident marque to the winners circle after an absence of several decades.

However, pride of place at the French motor show has gone to their best-selling models, the Coupe and Spyder, both of which have been given a mild facelift this summer, and are making their first serious public appearance.

Three models are present: Coupe, Spyder and GranSport. The new versions are easily identifiable by a larger front grille, inspired by the Quattroporte, which also features prominent horizontal slats, the whole effect combining to give the new cars a strong 'family' feel.

At the rear, the Coupe and Spyder now gain the GranSport's deeper bumper with its tightly meshed cut-outs. Inside, the instruments gain new, easier to read graphics, while the centre console has been mildly redesigned. However, the most immediately eye-catching interior difference is the use of an aluminum finish on the dashboard.

The Spyder on show is a version created to commemorate the marque's 90th anniversary, an event which was celebrated last month with a series of events across Italy. This limited-edition model is instantly identifiable by its attention-grabbing carbon-fibre roll-hoop covers and grey-painted headlamp surrounds.

The GranSport, an "extreme" version of the Coupe, which boasts more power and harder looks, is present. In Paris, the slim rear lip-spoiler has now been finished in carbon-fibre.

by Edd Ellison