Maserati has designed a new road-going Grand Tourer known as the MC12 from which a GT racing version has also been developed.
The result is that 37 long years after its last victory in an international championship (1967, Cooper Maserati F1, South African Grand Prix), the Trident is returning to the track.
The Ferrari Maserati Group's wealth of knowledge and technological excellence have been poured into the design of the new car. In addition to this, its styling was developed in the wind tunnel from a Giugiaro idea by Maserati technicians with the support of Frank Stephenson, the Ferrari Maserati Group's own Director of Concept Design and Development. The European type-approved version of the new car goes on sale after the summer.
Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330 km/h at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Although easy and pleasant to drive on the road, the MC12 is also a brilliantly dynamic car.
It handles very sweetly and fluidly yet the driver can still feel all the power of a genuinely sporty thoroughbred under the surface. The new model adds the definitive flourish to Maserati's return to the racing circuits after the recent and highly successful debut in the Daytona 24 Hour Race, of the Trofeo Light, inspired by the equally impressive single-series protagonist. Under the guidance of engineer Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati's Racing Division is currently developing the new car to meet the rules of the major international championships.
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
As a result of its imposing dimensions (5143 mm long, 2100 mm wide and 1205 mm high), the MC12's styling is very much functionally-inspired.
Intensive wind tunnel testing and advanced mathematical computations, combined with work on the track and road, have resulted in an extraordinarily efficient form that absolutely exudes power and personality. The air intakes, vents and other aerodynamic components have been designed to optimise the car's internal fluid dynamics and air flows to ensure optimal downforce (vertical load) and aerodynamic efficiency values.
The bonnet is characterised by the sinuous lines formed by two large tapering apertures, culminating in the classic Maserati grille opening with a Trident at its centre. The bonnet and wheelarches, into which the Bi-Xenon headlamp units are set, are a one-piece moulding which is also removable.
A channel along the side of the car stretches from the front wheel vent to an inlet just in front of the rear wheel. This solution contributes to aerodynamic downforce whilst also improving aerodynamic efficiency.
Above the hard top, there is a snorkel for the engine compartment. The rear section is dominated by the engine and the slender (30 mm) yet imposing two-metre carbon wing with two fins and, at its base, a small spoiler in which the third stop light has been inserted. The inverted half moon design of the exhausts is the most striking part of the tail section. The whole underside of the car has been faired in and sealed and there are two generous diffusers also which deliver maximum "ground effect".
The cabin boasts an easily removable top, which instantly converts the MC12 from a coupe to a spider.
The cabin itself is the epitome of elegance and sportiness. It is simple and understated, typical of an extreme car yet also displaying the meticulous care and finish that have become a classic Trident signature. There is exceptional harmony between the high tech-effect carbon features, the perforated leather trim and the stunning yet high-grip tough technical fabric too.
The upper part of the leather and carbon-trimmed steering wheel is slightly flattened. The dashboard, with its clean tailored lines, is characteristically Maserati. The instruments are organised around a central and prominent speedometer, placed directly in front of the driver. The center console includes the controls for the climate control system, and two of its four vents.
Set at the intersection of the console and the central tunnel is the characteristic oval clock, and the blue engine Start button. Other controls are laid out on the titanium-coloured stylised central tunnel which also includes a storage compartment and a 12 volt outlet.
The seats have a carbon fibre structure with high lateral containment: the seats themselves are upholstered in fabric with the shoulder rests in perforated leather. The doors have carbon fibre panels and pockets complete with the electric window buttons. The pedals are aluminium and the mats rubber.
The Maserati MC12 is a two-seater long-tail coup?-spider with a long wheel base (2800 mm).
It has a typical racing/sporty set-up with a removable hard top. It is also powered by an impressive 630 hp six-litre mid-rear V12 engine and boasts 41%-front and 59%-rear weight distribution. Highly advanced composites and alloys have enhanced its structural rigidity and kept its overall weight down.
The MC12's bodywork is entirely carbon fibre, while its stress-bearing chassis is made from a carbon fibre and Nomex honeycomb sandwich. Two aluminium sub-chassis's support the ancillaries, help absorb bumps, and guarantee an excellent standard of safety.
Suspension Technology
The MC12 has independent wishbone suspension front and rear with anti-dive and anti-squat geometries and push-rod suspension.
This set-up offers very progressive suspension response for exceptional handling precision under all conditions. The front of the car can be raised for parking ramps and the 19" wheels are attached via a single centre locking wheel nut. It also boasts Pirelli tyres: 245/35 (front) and 345/35 (rear).
Transmission Technology
In line with the MC12's performance-oriented design, it is supplied exclusively with the six-speed Maserati Cambiocorsa transmission offering computerised gear selection.
The driver does not need to touch the clutch with this electro-hydraulic gearbox and instead selects the gears using the 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, in fact, the system delivers much nippier gear changing and activates the ASR also.
Brake Technology
The MC12's brakes were developed by Brembo.
They deliver maximum braking efficiency and fade resistance, thanks to large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front diameter 380 mm and rear 335 mm). Six and four-piston alloy callipers (front/rear). The MC12 also boasts ABS.
Model MC12
Production start 2004
Ignition Integrated Bosch injection-ignition system, drive-by-wire electronic accelerator.
Transmission Longitudinal rear-mounted gearbox rigidly connected to engine. Maserati Cambiocorsa mechanical gearbox with electronically controlled electro-hydraulic operation via paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.
Dry twin-plate clutch, diameter 215 mm (8.46 in) with flexible couplings and hydraulic control.
Bosch ASR traction control.
Chassis Carbon and Nomex honeycomb monocoque chassis with aluminium front and rear sub-chassis's
Front suspension Double wishbones with push-rod design; progressive rate steel dampers and coaxial coils and springs.
Rear suspension Double wishbones with push-rod design; progressive rate steel dampers and coaxial coils and springs
Brakes Brembo braking system with four cross-drilled ventilating discs. Front 380 mm x 34 mm, rear 335 mm x 32 mm; six-piston callipers front, four-piston rear with differentiated diameters.
Brake pad materials: Pagid RS 4.2.1.. Bosch 5.3 ABS anti-blocking system.
Electronically controlled braking corrector (EBD).
Length 5143 mm
Width 2096 mm
Height 1205 mm
Wheelbase 2800 mm
Front track 1660 mm
Rear track 1650 mm
Dry weight 1335 kg
Wheels 19" light alloy wheels: front 9J x 19, rear 13J x 19.
Top speed >330 Km/h
Bodywork Roadster-type bodywork with removable hard top, two-seater, mid-rear engine, rear wheel drive.
Fuel tank 115 l
0-60 mph 3.8 s
Engine 65" V12
Bore and stroke 92x75.2 mm
Total displacement 5998 cc
Compression ratio 11,2.1
Maximum power 465 kW (630 CV) at 7500 rpm
Maximum torque 652 Nm (66,5 kgm) at 5500 rpm
Timing gear Distribution is by way of twin gear-driven overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, with four valves per cylinder hydraulic tappets.
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