Maserati MC12 Stradale

The 2004 Geneva Motor Show will remembered for many things, one of them the V16-powered Rolls Royce, another being BMW's highly anticipated 10-cylinder M5.

But beyond the biggest drawcards in Switzerland, there were still many intriguing stories from the exhibition, one of them Maserati's MC12 Stradale Supercar.

Not more than five years ago, Maserati had a fairly weak line-up with impressive, but by no means world-class exotica.

Today, however, it is a very different story. Taken under Ferrari's wealthy wing, the marque has really begun to shine, and in Geneva the Italian sportscar maker took another big step forward.

It's new road-going Grand Tourer, the MC12 (and from which a GT racing version has also been developed), benefits from Ferrari's wealth of knowledge and technological excellence.

The result is a GT that will hit 100km/h from rest in just 3.8 seconds, rivalling even some of the Prancing Horse's own quarter mile heroes.

In addition to hair-raising acceleration, the MC12's styling was developed in the wind tunnel from a Giugiaro idea by the Maserati technicians, and the European approved version of the new car goes on sale after the summer in the third quarter of 2004.

The MC12 is a two-seater, long-tail coupe-spider with a long wheel base (2800mm). It has a typical racing set-up with a removable hard top. It is also powered by an impressive 465kW (630bhp) 6.0-litre V12 engine with a mid-rear position, and boasts 41:59 front:rear weight distribution.

The naturally aspirated quad cam 65° V12 engine punches out 465kW @ 7500rpm and maximum torque of 652Nm arrives @ 5500rpm, while the engine rev limiter kicks in @ 7700rpm.

It has an aluminium crankcase, titanium con rods, and extremely aerodynamically efficient four-valve cylinder heads to boot. It displaces 5998cc and has a lofty 11.2:1 compression ratio.

Transferring 652Nm of torque effectively to the rear wheels is an exclusive six-speed Maserati Cambiocorsa transmission, offering computerised gear selection.

The driver doesn't need to touch the clutch with this electro-hydraulic gearbox, instead selecting gears using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The transmission's two modes are selected at the touch of a button: The Sport mode will be the driver's most frequent choice and includes a good dose of traction control, while the Race setting enhances the kind of sporty behaviour typically seen on the track.

In Race mode the system delivers much nippier gear changing and activates the ASR as well.

Fore and aft, the MC12 has independent wishbone suspension with anti-dive and anti-squat geometries and push-rod suspension. In addition to racetrack-inspired handling, the MC12 is also a practical exotic, as the front of the car can be raised for parking ramps and the 19-inch wheels are attached via a single centre locking wheel nut. It also boasts Pirelli tyres: 245/35 (front) and 345/35 (rear).

Washing off speed above 300km/h involves lots of heat and pressure, and thankfully the Brembo-developed brakes are up to the task. Delivering maximum braking efficiency and fade resistance, thanks to large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front diameter 380mm and rear 335mm), the six and four-piston alloy callipers also combine with ABS and EBD for extra safety.

As far as the bodywork goes, highly advanced composites and alloys have enhanced its structural rigidity and kept its overall weight down. The MC12's panels are entirely carbon fibre, while its stress-bearing chassis is made from a carbon fibre and Nomex honeycomb sandwich.

Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330km/h at full throttle, though Maser types reckon it will be easy and pleasant to drive on the road as well.

The client version for road use will be available exclusively in a white and blue livery, harking back to an old Trident tradition. In fact, blue and white are the colours of the America Camoradi (Casner Motor Racing Division) Scuderia, which raced the famous Maserati Tipo 60-61 Birdcages in the very early 1960s with Stirling Moss as their lead driver.

Around 30 MC12s will be built in all, 25 of which will be for road use. A second series of 25 examples for clients will be built in 2005 also.

Specs:
Dry weight: 1335 kg
Weight/Power ratio: 2.1 kg/hp

Performance:
Top speed: 330km/h
0 to 100 km/h acceleration: 3.8 seconds
0 to 200 km/h acceleration: 9.9 seconds
0-400 metres acceleration: 11.3 seconds
0-1000 metres: 20.1 seconds