Home | News | Road Tests Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Home > News > Maserati 3rd May, 2011 The fastest Maserati ever to be sold in Australia will arrive in June when deliveries of the race track influenced Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale commence. Powered by a new variant of the Maserati 4.7 litre V8 engine that pumps out 331 kW and 510 Nm of torque. Although slower than than the much better value Nissan GT-R, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale can dash 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Where legally permitted, a top speed of 301 km/h is claimed to be possible. “The Maserati MC Stradale meets demands which, for any other car maker, would appear to be in direct conflict,” explains Glen Sealey, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. “On one hand it is, as the name suggests, a road going version of the Maserati Trofeo and GT4 racing cars with the heightened performance, sharpened 'reflexes' and heightened visual presence that this requires. Yet, at the same time, it offers exemplary road comfort, refinement and even lower fuel consumption. The Maserati MC Stradale is equally at home on the race track, with its owner in a full race suit, as it is taking its owner to the Opera in an evening jacket.” Changes have been made throughout the Maserati GranTurismo S to transform it into the MC Stadale. Its race-bred heritage is highlighted by a 110 kg weight reduction from the GranTurismo S, with its dry weight down to 1,670 kg. It mirrors the advantages Maserati has in racing by retaining the optimal 48%/52% weight distribution to ensure handling balance and even tyre wear. The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stadale uses advanced electronics to slash gear-shift times from the upgraded MC Race Shift electro-actuated transaxle gearbox to just 60 milliseconds. It is also the first Maserati in history to have a dedicated Race mode to add to its upgraded Automatic and Sport modes in a simplified dash layout. It produces more aerodynamic down force without producing more aerodynamic drag, it produces more power without using more fuel and it is claimed to be more agile. With the removal of the rear seats, it is the first two-seat Maserati since the MC12 and has also benefited from new Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, custom-developed Pirelli tyres, a unique suspension layout and carbon-fibre, race-inspired seats. Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation in Denmark, WA ..... more Visually, the GranTurismo MC Stradale has changes made to the front and rear bumpers, the front guards, the bonnet and the boot lid, aimed at boosting down force and aiding engine and brake cooling. Inside, materials derived from the racing variants, in the shape of carbon fibre and Alcantara, are used extensively. Carbon fibre racing seats are standard and the instrument pack has been changed to allow for the changes to the car’s dynamic systems. The result of these changes is to produce a car with three distinct 'characters'. In race mode, the MC Stradale is poised and ready for track days or the most demanding roads with every response and element of the car finessed to the highest level for instant response. In Sport mode, the performance is fully available but delivered in a more subtle manner, making it suitable for everyday use, with the responses of a sports car and the comfort of a continent-swallowing grand touring car. Auto mode is, to all extents and purposes, stealth mode, with the performance and ability available but hiding behind a 'veil' of relaxed comfort, quietness and refinement. The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is on sale now with a price of $364,900* (MLP*), excluding on-road costs (such as dealer delivery fees and the traditional statutory charges). The first Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradales will arrive for delivery next month. “In the area of the market in which the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale will be sold there are cars that are out and out track day cars, rendering them uncomfortable on our roads that sit alongside grand touring cars that offer strong road performance but with dynamics that cannot meet the needs of the race track,” says Mr Sealey. “The Maserati MC Stradale, drawing on Maserati’s race track expertise and long history of exemplary high performance road cars, brings together these two previously conflicting requirements to produce a unique performance car, one that can hold its head high equally on the race track as the high street – and every type of road in between.” Mercedes-Benz SL 600 road test ..... more Aston Martin V8 Vantage road test ..... more Jaguar XKR road test ..... more Changes to the Maserati GranTurismo to transform it into the MC Stradale Exterior Changes Air intakes on the bonnet New side skirts New front bumper with new aerodynamic splitter Integrated boot lid lip spoiler Revised rear bumper with Splitter Exhaust pipes reposition to allow larger rear splitter New front guards with trailing edge vertical air vents 20 inch wheels with new Pirelli P-zero Corse tyres Interior Changes Front carbon fibre seats Alcantara and leather upholstery Redesigned main instrument cluster Weight reduced by 110 kg Flow formed 20 inch alloy wheels: - 5 kg Wiring optimisation: - 2 kg Sound insulation reduction: - 25 kg Two seat configuration: - 16 kg Carbon Fibre front seats: - 26 kg Sealing and body optimisation: - 12 kg Carbon Ceramic Brembo brakes: - 18 kg Exhaust System: - 6 kg Aerodynamic improvements Front: 25% more down force at 200 km/h Rear: 50% more down force at 200 km/h No change in the drag co-efficient, despite extra down force New Driving modes Race Gearchanges in 60 milliseconds Gearchange mode: Manual shift Exhaust silencer by pass: Open at all engine speeds Sequential Downshifting Sharper response from the accelerator Sport Gearchanges in 100 milliseconds Gearchange mode: Manual shift Exhaust silencer by pass: Open over 4,000 rpm Auto Gearchanges in 140 milliseconds Gearchange mode: Automatic shift Exhaust silencer by pass: Closed Engine, compared to GranTurismo S Up 7 kW to 331 kW Up 20 Nm to 510 Nm Fuel consumption: down 13% to 14.4 l/100 km 80% of torque available from 2,500 rpm Diamond Like Coating (DLC) cuts internal engine friction Suspension/Chassis 8% stiffer springs Front roll bar increased from 20 to 25 mm Ride height lowered 10 mm at the front 12 mm at the rear Tyres – new Pirelli P-Zero Corsa Front: Up from 245/35 to 255/35 Rear: Up from 285/35 to 295/35 Brakes – New Brembo Carbon Ceramic First production Maserati with Carbon Ceramic brakes New brake cooling system and heat extraction vents Front: 380 mm x 34 mm with six piston callipers Rear: 360 mm x 32 mm with four piston callipers Braking distance, down 6% for 100 km/h to Zero, now 33 metres NOTE: * Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes dealer delivery fees and the numerous statutory charges (commonly known as on-road costs). Additionally, please note that all prices, fees and charges are subject to change without notice, as are the specifications. Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more More Maserati News ..... here Top of page About | Car Clubs | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2011   All rights reserved.   Next Car Pty. Ltd.