Maserati's GranTurismo S coupe already has the stuff to make it one of the finest touring cars on the planet -- gorgeous lines, a balanced suspension, and a mighty 4.7L V-8 pumping out 433 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque with a sonorous exhaust note. But when measured against Ferraris and Lamborghinis, the Trident's GT, some feel, is better driven at eight-tenths and lacks the teeth of its rivals. That said, the history of Maserati has more than its share of racing heritage, and to honor this the sports-car maker is unveiling a sharper, harder-edged GranTurismo designed solely for the track, the race-ready GranTurismo MC Corse concept.
Adding a host of small adjustments to aid the transition from the piazza to the paddock, Maserati engineers placed great emphasis on the MC Corse's aerodynamics and airflow, adding new side skirts, a spoiler for increased downforce, side vents, a new front end with a larger lower air intake to improve cooling, and a new hood featuring an added scoop and two vents. In addition, the automaker sought to make the car lighter and more balanced, and added an FIA-required rollcage to improve the chassis' stiffness.
Of course, no conversion from street to race car would be complete without an increase in power, so Maserati has given the MC Corse's V-8 new engine mapping, a revised exhaust system, a racing catalytic converter and silencer, which help boost output to 450 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. To handle the rigors of track duty the car also sports larger disc brakes with monobloc racing calipers, and its 18-in. wheels (12 in. wide up front, 13 in. rear) are fitted with racing slicks. Inside the Maserati's pleasant interior has been replaced with a Spartan setup in composite material and includes a businesslike racing seat, racing-spec electrical controls, instrumentation, and data-acquisition equipment, as well as regulation safety gear.
Like the Enzo-based MC12 Corse before it, the new GranTurismo MC Corse concept continues to prove that Maserati's racing heritage is still alive and well. Recently the company has been hinting at a new product introduction on October 2, complete with a countdown Web site. Whether Maserati is spilling the beans early with the MC Corse or still has another vehicle (possibly a hardtop convertible) up its sleeve, remains to be seen.
Source: Maserati
