It’s based on the MC12 GT1 which won the FIA GT1 Manufacturers’ Championship in 2005, the Team Championship in 2005 and 2006, the Driver’s Championship in 2006 and two consecutive editions of the Spa 24 Hours, in 2005 and 2006.

The Versione Corse is a limited edition – only 12 will be produced, aimed at giving a selected number of Maserati clients the possibility to test their driving capabilities in the most exclusive environment.

The car is not homologated for road use because it doesn’t comply with standard safety and emission requirements; nor is it eligible for any racing activity aside from track runs during private test sessions or exhibition activities organised by Maserati.

The main differences between the two vehicles are more horsepower for the Versione Corse (563kW compared to 447kW in the GT1 and 710Nm of torque), a different transmission (electro-hydraulic Cambiocorsa in the Versione Corse compared to the manual gear change in the GT1) and a passenger seat.

The MC12 Versione Corse is available in the official ‘Blue Victory’ colour but also can be customised on request with variations in colour, livery, manually adjustable shock absorbers, data acquisition and an annual technical upgrade.

The car has a carbon-fibre monocoque body, a 6.0-litre V12 engine, Brembo steel and carbon brakes (no ABS) and a roll bar. It has a top speed of 325 km/h and can sprint from 0 to 200 km/h in 6.4 seconds.

The price (identical for all markets) is 1,000,000 euros – plus relevant taxes – and the car is now being marketed worldwide.

WINNERS ON TRACK …

Andrea Bertolini, behind the wheel of the Vitaphone Team’s Maserati MC12, came through as FIA GT Champion for 2006, at the end of a successful season in which the MC12 also achieved its second consecutive win at the Spa 24 Hours.