please don't post these links outside of JW, thanks!
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Maserati MC12, At The Pinnacle Of The Sports Prototype Range
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.
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 Specifications of the 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 AND WEIGHTS
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
Larini In The MC12 At Mugello
Circuit: Autodromo del Mugello (5,245 km – short course 2,760 km)
Driver: Nicola Larini
Car: MC12
Weather: air temperature 5/10 °C, track temperature 8/12 °C, sunny.
First day of testing this week for the Reparto Corse Maserati at the Mugello circuit. Nicola Larini took the track today at the wheel of a Maserati MC12, previously known as the MCC.
Larini completed a total of 69 laps (none on the short version of the track), with a quickest time of 1’46’’306.
The Reparto Corse Maserati continues testing tomorrow with the development work on the car aimed at the GT racing. Nicola Larini and Andrea Bertolini will share the test driving.
Maserati MMC
here is one posted in the mid of January 
this is the first time i see them ... but i find it ugly 
Linear Mode
