2004 Maserati MC12:
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.
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.
Maserati MCC:
Source: Maserati
January 12, 2004 at Fiorano saw the track debut of the Maserati that will take part in the FIA GT championships. The car, which for the time being goes by its project code name of MCC, officially launched at the 2004 International Geneva Motor Show, alongside the Trident marque’s new road-going Granturismo car, the MC12, from which it is closely derived. The two cars were designed in a joint operation between the Maserati engineers and those of the Modena company’s racing department under the technical direction of engineer, Giorgio Ascanelli.
“ This is a very important programme for Maserati, which the Racing Department has tackled with great enthusiasm ,” stated Gestione Sportiva Managing Director, Jean Todt. “ Today, we have witnessed the MCC’s track debut and as usual on these occasions, it was a really emotional moment .”
2004 Maserati MC12 *Pics* >56k
.. and win of course 
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