The MC12 marked Maserati’s re-entry into the ultra-exclusive supercar market and international racing scene. A tangible symbol of Maserati engineering and a worthy descendant of the company’s greatest racing machines, the MC12 was designed from the outset to conquer the FIA GT Championship.

MC12 DEVELOPMENT

Thanks to its relationship with Ferrari, Maserati utilized the Enzo as a platform from which a total of only 50 road-going MC12s would be built between 2004 and 2005 to meet homologation requirements. Initially code-named and tested as the MCC, the resultant MC12 was introduced at the 74th Geneva International Motor Show in 2004 alongside the new GranSport model. Presented by Luca di Montezemolo, the two cars were later joined by the MC12’s competition variant, signaling a remarkable Maserati tour de force and a concerted effort to return the marque to international competitiveness.

American Frank Stephenson, Director of Concept Design and Development at Maserati, worked closely with wind tunnel engineers to perfect the car’s design. Its general dimensions recall the Group C Le Mans cars of the 1980s, with the Enzo wheelbase lengthened by about 15 cm and overall length increased by over 44 cm. Not only did this added length increase high-speed stability, it also translated into added interior room, making the car more comfortable for taller drivers, especially when wearing helmets during racing.

Also borrowed from the Enzo was the naturally aspirated, dual-overhead cam, 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine, which aside from producing a veritable symphony of high-performance sounds, developed 630 bhp at full tune. With a curb weight of 2,943 lbs., the mid-engined MC12 rocketed from 0–60 in just 3.8 seconds and reached a top speed in excess of 205 mph. The prodigious power was harnessed by Maserati’s Cambiocorsa six-speed transmission. With a choice of sport and race modes, the MC12’s transmission was capable of lightning-fast, aggressive shifts on the track as well as delivering the road manners for which Maserati’s latest generation of road-going cars are renowned.

Under the direction of Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati’s Reparto Corse was responsible for modifying the standard road-going version to conform to the stringent regulations of international motorsports competition. Between 2004 and 2008, the limited number of MC12s competed on the world’s most renowned race tracks accumulated 15 victories, 32 podium finishes, two successive 24-hour wins at Spa Francorchamps and eight titles, including two manufacturers’ cups, two drivers’ titles, and three team championships.

VERSIONE CORSE

In 2006, Maserati elected to build a limited series of track-only MC12s, developed directly from the MC12 GT1, which won the 2005 FIA GT Championship. Designated Versione Corse, 12 fortunate clients were specifically chosen by Maserati and, while the Versione Corse, or simply Corsa, was not intended for road use, it was to be driven in track events specially organized by Maserati.

Most importantly, it allowed private owners to drive and enjoy an unparalleled supercar. The MC12 Corsa was developed in response to the customer demand to own the MC12 GT1 racing car and fueled by the growth in track days, where owners were able test the limits of their cars.

All aspects of the MC12 Corsa are closely related to its GT1 counterpart, although it features the shortened nose that permitted the GT1 to compete in the American Le Mans series. The 6.0-liter V-12 engine was essentially the same, but with horsepower up to an astonishing 755 bhp at 8,000 rpm. All told, the MC12 Corsa is reportedly capable of sprinting to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, shifting gears through the six-speed electronically actuated Cambiocorsa transmission.

SERIAL NUMBER 0010

The Maserati MC12 Versione Corse presented here is finished in eye-catching speed yellow. The car has spent most of its life in the UAE under the watchful eye of the Maserati race team, garaged its entire life and meticulously maintained. The car has covered only 2,015 km (less than 1,300 miles) and has benefitted from a recent cosmetic refinishing. The car was recently acquired from a large collection in Dubai. The somewhat spartan interior features a blue dash, unique suede-wrapped carbon fiber steering wheel with digital telemetry screen, and Sparco carbon fiber racing seats featuring five-point Willans harnesses.

While the MC12 Corsa is directly related to the Ferrari FXX in both spirit and execution, it differs from its Ferrari sibling in several major respects, not the least of which is the additional torque produced by the engine. Moreover, the MC12 benefits from a race-winning pedigree and added rarity, as only 12 MC12s (along with one prototype) were produced compared to the 29 FXXs.

Rare, ultra-exclusive, and breathtakingly fast, the MC12 Versione Corse is the ultimate private racing car and a supercar of unparalleled collectability.