Racing is in its blood

Loud styling, outlandish claims and even louder exhausts make supercar clubs an exciting bunch. Shouting ‘look at me’ is intrinsic to such
...

Loud styling, outlandish claims and even louder exhausts make supercar clubs an exciting bunch. Shouting 'look at me' is intrinsic to such beasts, and is something a lot of the car owners really want.

Racing heritage
Maserati, however, is the most understated of the lot. Few sportscar buyers are aware that the brand has a motorsport and Grand Prix racing heritage to die for; and almost no one remembers its great mid-engined supercars of yesteryear. Now resurrected by Ferrari, it shares most of the supercar giant's components, and though clubbed with Alfa Romeo today, its proximity to Ferrari still exists. The MC Stradale is currently the fastest and most powerful Maserati. It looks purposeful with its lowered suspension, race car-inspired front splitter and gorgeous 20-inch wheels finished in matte black.

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Roomy interiors
It's very attractive on the inside with Alcantara-lined race seats, generously splattered carbon fibre trimming and a partial roll-cage. The Stradale tips the scales at a mere 1,770kg, which is light for a car of this size toting a V8 in its belly. Based on one of Ferrari's finest engines, this F430-based motor spins to 7,500rpm, makes a potent 450bhp and in the right mode, rasps and yowls menacingly. There is a big difference between this variant and Maserati's standard GranTurismo (GT) model.

Breaches 300 kph
Selecting race mode tightens things up. Gears now shift up with a pleasing 'bang' in 0.06 of a second and 0-100kph can be blitzed through in just 4.6 seconds. So keep your right foot in and you'll cross the 300kph barrier with élan. Autocar India

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Price: 1.37 crore (est ex-showroom Delhi)
Top speed: 301kph
L/W/H: 4,933/1,915/1,343mm
Wheelbase: 2,942mm
Kerb weight: 1,770kg
Turning circle: 10.5m
Engine: V8, 4,691cc, petrol
Power: 450bhp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 52.00kgm at 4,750rpm
Gearbox: Sequential
robotised manual gearbox
Fuel tank: 90 litres
Boot: 320 litres
Tyres: Pirelli PZero Corsa 255/35-ZR 20 (f),
295/35-ZR 20 (r)

Verdict
More involving, more rewarding to drive, and more complete, GranTurismo MC Stradale is easily the best Maserati to have hit the road or track in a long, long time. And, the best part is that this car doesn't ride too badly either, perfect for our roads. At an estimated 1.37 crore (ex-showroom Delhi), it is expensive, but you do get a lot out of the car.

First Published Date: 03 Aug 2011, 16:24 PM IST
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