New Maser tops 300km/h

Not long ago Maserati was talking about the latest S version of its GranTurismo, describing it as the fastest-ever production Maserati. Its top speed of 295km/h meant it wasn't a car to hang around.

Now, that car is relegated to also-ran status with the announcement of the new GranTurismo MC Stradale – a two-seat version which, by dint of a power increase from 323kW to 331kW and a 110kg weight reduction takes the Italian supercar (just)  beyond the triple-tonne barrier with a claimed top speed of 301km/h.

Heralding the MC Stradale as a car that can be genuinely raced on Sunday and driven to the opera on Monday, Maserati also claims a zero to 100km/h figure of 4.7 seconds, along with a 13 per cent better fuel figure than the GranTurismo S at a quoted 14.4L/100km.

In addition to its 331kW, the 4.7-litre Ferrari-built V8 thumps out 510Nm of torque, 80 per cent of which is available from 2500rpm.

The engine drives through an upgraded MC Race Shift transaxle gearbox with three electronic shifting modes: “Race, “Sport” and “Auto.” The fastest mode, naturally, is Race, where gearshifts happen in just 60 milliseconds and accelerator responses are sharper. The exhaust booms louder, too, via a silencer bypass that remains open at all speeds.

In Sport mode the shifts slow to 100 milliseconds, while the bypass only opens once revs climb past 4000rpm. It's all serene in Auto, with shifts happening in a leisurely 140 milliseconds and the bypass remaining firmly shut at all times.

Weight reduction has come via 5kg lighter 20-inch alloy wheels, the two-seat configuration (in carbon fibre, and responsible for 42kg of the overall weight loss),  carbon ceramic Brembo brakes, less sound insulation, optimised wiring and a lighter exhaust system.

Springs are eight per cent stiffer and the front roll bar has increased in size from 20 to 25mm, while the ride is lowered 10mm at the front and 12mm at the rear. The Pirelli tyre sizes go up from 245/35 to 255/35 at the front, and from 285/35 to 295/35 at the rear. Maserati claims a weight balance of 48 per cent/52 per cent.

Maserati says the first-time use of carbon ceramic brakes (380mm x 34mm with six-piston callipers at the front and 360mm x 32mm with four-piston callipers at the back) reduces the braking distance from 100km/h to zero by six per cent.

Aerodynamics are improved too, giving a 25 per cent increase in downforce at 200km/h at the front, with 50 per cent more at the same speed in the rear  – all without a change in the overall Cd figure.

The MC Stradale can be recognised by its bonnet air intakes, new side skirts, new front bumper, rear spoiler, revised rear bumper and new front guards with vertical air vents.

The track-oriented Maserati is on sale now with a manufacturer's recommended retail price, pre delivery and statutory charges, of $364,900. The first car is due to arrive here next month (June).

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