Maserati MC12, One Of The Best Performing Exotic Cars

Controversy surrounded the Maserati MC12 when it was launched. Is it a road car or a racing car? Maserati built 25 MC12s, and insists this is a limited edition road car. It is definitely an exotic car, but has got Maserati back into racing in the FIA GT sports car championships. 

So much so that the Maserati MC12 team won the FIA GT 2005 series comfortably. Maserati used to win lots of races 50 years ago, so it is no surprise that the management decided to get back into racing, nor that Ferrari did not need to enter the GT series. In truth, there are many differences between the production cars and the racers, which have different tails with massive rear high-mounted spoilers and a low spoiler as well.

Any way you look at it, the Maserati MC12 is a mighty powerful exotic car with a very advanced design. Top speed is around 205 mph, and 0-60 takes a little less than 4 seconds. About average for a supercar of this shape with a V-12 engine producing 620 bhp down from the Enzo's power output by 30 bhp or so.

Tthe suspension has been designed to give massive cornering power and good handling essential for an exotic car or a racer. And there is a lightweight structure designed for maximum performance.

Maserati MC12 was based on the Ferrari Enzo, as Ferrari and Maserati were in the same stable at the time. Now, though, Maserati has been moved to the same sub-group as Alfa Romeo, all being part of the Fiat empire.

The Maserati looks completely different from the Ferrari, and despite being based on the same carbon fiber composite tub and power train is definitely a Maserati and looks it.

Long and low

There's a Maserati oval grille in the long nose, and it looks a typical semi-racing car with plenty of air outlets and air intakes. There's also a small air intake to the engine in the roof, which obscures rear vision somewhat. The long, low nose and long tail topped by a huge spoiler, makes the Maserati MC12 a less than practical exotic car. But who cares when you buy an exotic car?

Plenty of air intakes and outlets

There are twin radiators behind that wide grille, and the air is exhausted through a pair of widely separated outlets in the hood, somewhat similar to the Enzo, but with more style. Outlets in the sides of the body, just behind the front wheels and in the top of the front fenders get the heat away from the front brakes, and there are deep inlets to the engine compartment in the sides as well. At the rear, the body is mostly open to get the air away.

Although the Maserati MC12 looks like a coupe, it actually has a detachable hardtop. 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.

Maserati MC12 V-12 engine

Power comes from Ferrari’s 6.0 liter 65-degree V-12, which is a near racing engine with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and a dry sump system. In the MC12 the output is 622 bhp at 7,500 rpm, with 480 lb ft (652 Nm) torque at 5,500 rpm. The specific output is 103 bhp per liter, which is not that great for such a car, but the end result is massive power.

Of course, as with the Enzo, the engine is installed midships, driving back through a six-speed sequential box under electronic control. It is in unit with the axle gears, and drive is taken to the rear wheels only.

Racing type suspension

Suspension is straight out of the racing world, 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.

Brembo brakes are used, with six-pot front calipers acting on 15 in (380 mm) diameter front discs. The discs are cross drilled to improve cooling. Those at the rear are 13 inch (335 mm) diameter with four-pot calipers. The wheels are 19 inch diameter, and the tires are 245/35 section at the front, and 335/35 at the rear. All pretty impressive.

Maserati quotes a curb weight of 2,940 lb (1,335 kg) which is very good for this type of car, giving a power:weight ratio of 470 bhp per ton now that is up in the top league. Overall the specification and finish of the car are very impressive.

As our photo shows, Maserati has certainly built a bunch of Maserati MC12s, and not one in Italian (or Ferrari) red. Obviously! Get your hands on one of these exotic cars which won't be easy - and you'll have a terrific performer, and know that it is one of the most exclusive cars in the world.