Maserati MC12 Versione Corse

A semi-racing car, the Maserati MC12 Versione Corse joins the band of truly exotic cars, as only 12 or so will be built. The car is based on the racing version of the MC12 the GT1 which won the FIA GT1 championships in 2005 and 2006.

But this is a very high-powered car, although not up to the power output of the Ferrari FXX, Koenigsegg CCX. The Enzo-based 6.0 liter engine is tuned to develop 755 bhp, which will make the car mega-quick. To meet the GT1 regulations, the MC12 GT1 is detuned to 600 bhp, so this is a rare case of the private owner getting more power than the works team.

This is a sort of trackday special, for the man or woman who has everything! Evidently, it does not meet the regulations that would allow it to be driven on the road, and there is no class of racing for which it is suitable, nor has Maserati announced any series of meetings for the car. Although the Ferrari FXX is in a similar situation, Ferrari has arranged a series of events for owners.

Maserati V-12 engine and sequential box

Unlike the racing version, which as a manual gearbox and just one seat, the Maserati MC12 Versione Corse, is a two-seater, and has the sequential six-speed transmission, similar to that available on the standard MC12, but developed to withstand the extra power. Maserati also offers a sequential box on the Coupe, Spyder and GranSport.

So, the heart of the Maserati MC12 Versione Corse is a near racing engine with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and a dry sump system. It is coupled to a good, but not perfect, sequential box.

Maserati MC12 revised body

The body shape and body structure, which are based on the Ferrari Enzo carbon fiber hull, but lengthened with different front and rear sub-frames. However, the body has been changed. At the front, the large air intake is now divided into three, the large outer pair feeding air to the twin radiators, which exhaust through outlets in the hood.

To allow for easy replacement after a shunt, the nose of the car is a detachable panel. There are a series of louvers over each front wheel, and large air outlets behind the front wheels. There are also large air intakes forward of the front wheels, and a small air intake above the cockpit for the engine.

To reduce high-speed lift, there is a massive wing mounted high up at the rear. This is in addition to a low fixed wing at the rear of the body.

Inside is a simple fascia and a pair of bucket seats. The quadrant style rev-counter is the centerpiece of the instrument binnacle, and alongside is the 360 kph speedo. You get a steering wheel with straight top and bottom, and you don’t get a gear lever at all. The usual paddles sit in front of the steering wheel, while you have a start button on the console and a reverse button on the narrow tunnel.

Both front and rear suspensions are very similar to those of the Enzo and standard MC12, with long wishbones front and rear, acting through push rods to inboard coil spring/damper units. These are mounted horizontally as on the Enzo. The dampers have variable rates. The aluminum sub-frames at front and rear are unique to the MC12, and make the car a little longer and wider.

An out-and-out racer, the Maserati MC12 Versione Corse will appeal to those seeking a very high-powered car which will be at home on the race track. If that is you, place your order soon, as there are not many available.