It doesn't look too alluring in these Carparazzi spy shots taken recently on a racetrack somewhere in Italy, but the upcoming Maserati Spider coupe/cabrio is expected to cut a gracious figure when it is launched some time soon.

The new Maserati convertible is said to use a folding metal roof rather than a canvas top, so pay no attention to the test mule's overweight, fastback lines -- although there is a chance the boot might sit a little higher than the coupe to accommodate the folding metal roof. We do see signs of a more squared-off rear, with a small spoiler in situ.

The Maserati coupe/cabrio is expected to use the same 4.2-litre 298kW V8 as the coupe, along with the six-speed sequential manual transmission.

With the coupe currently sneaking in just below $300,000 in Australia, it could be reasonably expected the Spider coupe/cabrio will be tagged at something like $320,000.

-- with Carparazzi

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