First Looks

The Spyder's convertible top is a sophisticated design, including one-touch operation, a self-covering tonneau, and active pop-up roll hoops. Another high-tech touch is a new active damping system called Skyhook; Maserati claims it reacts up to five times quicker than any other currently in production. The well-equipped interior is both sporty and luxurious, with no shortage of sumptuous, hand-stitched Italian leather.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect the Spyder to base somewhere around $90,000. Its public debut will come at the Frankfurt Auto Show, with its first stateside appearance at Detroit this January. Welcome back, Maserati; it's been too long.-Matt Stone

First Test
2001 Volkswagen EuroVan
Better In Every Way
How can you argue with a strategy like this? Offer more power, better handling, better looks, and more safety, and then charge almost $5000 less than for the previous model. The new-for-'01 EuroVan offers a new torsion-bar front suspension that vastly improves road feel, a new electronic stability control (ESP) system designed to minimize skidding, bigger wheels, tires, and brakes, as well as a cleaner exterior look. But by far, the EuroVan's biggest improvement is the addition of VW's 2.8L V-6 engine, which produces 201 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque (compared to the old engine's 140 and 177, respectively). At the track, the "un-minivan" jumped off the line, stopped 60-0 in an unimpressive 125 ft, and slalomed like a coupe.

There are two flavors of EuroVan now, the standard 7-passenger GLS model ($26,200) and the Multivan, which features two removable rear-facing seats, a fold-up table, and added storage compartments ($27,700). A special Weekender package (shown) available for the Multivan includes a pop-up roof with a two-person bed, window screens, privacy curtains, dual batteries, a hideaway refrigerator, and an extra high-output alternator. VW expects to sell close to 10,000 EuroVans per year here for the next two years or so. Then the EuroVan will be re-placed by a production version of the MicroBus concept (see MT July '01), to be built on the same platform as the '03 VW sport/utility, now called Max.-Mark Williams

First Drive
2002 Audi A6 3.0 Multitronic
Continuously Variable Transmission Hits The Mainstream
Audi has made many changes to its '02 A6 sedan and Avant including a new nose, revised interior, and an improved electronic stability system. However, the real highlights are under the hood, where the venerable 2.8L V-6 has been replaced by an all-new 3.0L V-6. Power goes up from 200 to 220 and torque jumps from 207 lb-ft to 221-both noticeable improvements. The 3.0 serves as the base engine, while the 250-hp 2.7 biturbo V-6 and 300-hp 4.2 V-8 are optional.