When Maserati revealed the hard-core MC Stradale version of its GranTurismo coupe it made much of the 110kg weight saving delivered in part by the removal of the rear seats.
Now, in a bid to broaden its practicality and appeal, it has announced a new version of the MC Stradale with the rear seats left in.
Two batches of the two-seat MC Stradale were imported in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and stocks continue to be available at $364,400 plus on-road costs.
Local Maserati distributor European Automotive Imports says it is yet to decide if it will make available the four-seat Stradale, which will logically weigh 16kg more than the two-seater, although no official kerb weight figure has been revealed.
Like the two-seater, the four-seat MC Stradale is powered by a fettled version of the GranTurismo’s Ferrari-built 4.7-litre V8 producing 338kW and 520Nm, and comes with the same six-speed MC Race Shift six-speed automated manual transmission.
No performance figures have been issued, but expect the two-seater to also sprint to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 303km/h.
Exclusive MC Stradale features like 5kg-lighter 20-inch forged alloy wheels, 18kg-lighter ceramic-carbon brake rotors, 6kg-lighter exhaust system and a carbon-fibre bonnet are also expected to carry over from the two-seater.
However, it’s unclear whether the two-seater’s 26kg-lighter carbon-fibre front seats, 2kg-lighter wiring system and reduced body sealing (saving 12kg) will transfer.
The four-seat version of the Maserati Trofeo Championship-inspired MC Stradale will appear at Geneva alongside the next-generation Quattroporte sedan, which goes on sale here in the third quarter and will be followed next year by the Italian brand's new Ghibli large sedan and the all-new Levante SUV in 2015. Powered by new twin-turbo V6 and V8 engines, the new Quattroporte will be the first Maserati to be built at the Italian car-maker’s new Giovanni Agnelli plant in Turin, while the GranTurismo MC Stradale will be built at the historic Modena factory.
For our full coverage head to motoring.com.au for the latest Geneva motor show news
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...