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 FEATURE
FACTfile
- Maserati MC-12 Stradale
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. Here is the background
and technical information diret from Maserati:
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 the Maserati technicians with the fundamental contribution
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.
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.
LIGHT, RIGID STRUCTURE
The Maserati MC12 is a two-seater long-tail coupe-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.
STYLING AND AERODYNAMICS
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.”
630 HP SIX-LITRE ENGINE
The MC12 benefits from all of the Ferrari Maserati Group’s most advanced
technologies and competition experience. It boasts a powerful naturally
aspirated 12-cylinder 65° V engine that displaces 5998 cc and punches
out 465 kW at 7500 rpm. Designed to meet the specific needs and characteristics
of a road-going Maserati, it also offers absolutely excellent drivability.
The MC12 delivers a maximum torque of 652 Nm at 5500 rpm and remains exceptionally
nimble and fluid, even at low engine speeds. It has an aluminium crankcase,
titanium con rods, and extremely aerodynamically efficient four-valve
cylinder heads to boot. Distribution is by way of four overhead camshafts
per cylinder which are gear-driven, a solution that offers perfect timing
control. The dry sump lubrication also boasts a highly efficient scavenger
pump.
CAMBIOCORSA TRANSMISSION
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 doesn’t 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.
WHEELS AND SUSPENSION
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).
BRAKES
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). Six and four-piston alloy
callipers (front/rear). The MC12 also boasts ABS.
INTERIOR AND ACCESSORIES
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.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS Maserati MC12
Roadster-type bodywork with removable hard top, two-seater,
mid-rear engine, rear wheel drive.
CHASSIS
Carbon and Nomex honeycomb monocoque chassis with aluminium front and
rear sub-chassis’s
SUSPENSION
Front: double wishbones with push-rod design; progressive rate steel dampers
and coaxial coils and springs.
Rear: double wishbones with push-rod design; progressive rate steel dampers
and coaxial coils and springs
19” light alloy wheels: front 9J x 19, rear 13J x 19.
Front tyres 245/35 ZR19, rear 345/35 ZR 19.
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).
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.
ENGINE
65° V12
Distribution is by way of twin gear-driven overhead camshafts per cylinder
bank, with four valves per cylinder hydraulic tappets. Dry sump engine
lubrication with pump in a single unit. Integrated Bosch injection-ignition
system, drive-by-wire electronic accelerator.
Weight: 232 kg
Displacement: 5998 cm3
Bore: 92 mm
Stroke: 75.2 mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Maximum power output: 465 kW (630 CV*)
Engine speed at max. power output 7500 rpm
Peak torque: 652 Nm (66.5 kgm)
Engine speed at peak torque: 5500 rpm
Max. permitted engine speed: 7700 rpm
DIMENSIONS
Length: 5143 mm
Width: 2096 mm
Height: 1205 mm
Wheelbase: 2800 mm
Front track: 1660 mm
Rear track: 1650 mm
Front overhang: 1248 mm
Rear overhang: 1095 mm
Turning circle: 12 m
Fuel tank capacity: 115 L
Dry weight: 1335 kg
Weight distribution: 41% front - 59% rear
Weight/Power ratio: 2.1 kg/hp
PERFORMANCE
Top speed: >330 km/h
0 to 100 km/h acceleration: 3.8 s
0 to 200 km/h acceleration: 9.9 s
0-400 metres acceleration: 11.3 s
0-1000 metres: 20.1 s
*For reasons of homogeneity, engine power is expressed in kW, in accordance
with the International System of Units (SI), and CV (cavalli = horse power).
The brake horse power (bhp) can be calculated as follows: 1 kW = 1.34
bhp
09/03/04
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