Maserati MC12

Vehicle Overview

The Maserati MC12 was designed and built on the chassis of the Enzo Ferrari, but the final car is much larger and has a lower drag coefficient. The MC12 is longer, wider and taller and has a sharper nose and smoother curves than the Enzo Ferrari, which has quicker acceleration, shorter braking distance, and a higher top speed. The top speed of the Maserati MC12 is 330 kilometres per hour whereas the top speed of the Enzo Ferrari is 350 kilometres per hour. Under the direction of Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati began development of an FIA GT-eligible race car. This car, which would eventually be named the MC12, was initially called the “MCC” (“Maserati Corse Competizione”) and was to be developed simultaneously with a road-going version, called the “MCS” (“Maserati Corse Stradale”). Frank Stephenson, Director of Ferrari-Maserati Concept Design and Development at the time, did the majority of the body styling, but the initial shape was developed during wind tunnel testing from an idea presented by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign. It adopts the Ferrari F140 engine, a V12 derived from the one mounted on the Ferrari Enzo, with a 65° angle and a displacement of 5998 cm³; it has a power output of 630 hp at 7500 rpm. Dry-sump lubrication has a high-efficiency scavenge pump system. The Maserati MC12 has a six-speed Maserati gearbox with computerized selection that does not require a clutch because the shift control is behind the steering wheel with two levers used to upshift or downshift. There are two types of gearboxes: a sport and a race gearbox. The Maserati MC12 is a mid-engine, 2-seater coupe-spider with removable roof. Weight distribution is 41% in the front and 59% in the rear. The body is carbon fiber with 2 aluminum supports to increase the level of safety. Many elements of the car were studied in the wind tunnel, such as the air intakes at the front. Another air intake for the engine compartment is visible above the roof (snorkel). At the rear, the carbon wing is more than 2 meters wide. The bottom of the car is fully covered and is joined by 2 extractors for better ground effect. The MC12 has front and rear independent double wishbone suspension (push-rod system) with anti-dive-antisquat geometry and opposing shock absorbers. The wheels are attached by a single nut and have 19″ rims; tires are Pirelli 245/35 at the front and 345/35 at the rear. The Brembo braking system has drilled discs with a diameter of 380 mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear. The Maserati MC12 also has ABS.