Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Nissan GT-R, Maserati MC12 heading to Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/report-nissan-gt-r-maserati-mc12-heading-to-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/report-nissan-gt-r-maserati-mc12-heading-to-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/report-nissan-gt-r-maserati-mc12-heading-to-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Nissan GT-R and Maserati MC12 at 2009 FIA GT test session - Click either image for high-res gallery

If you think you've seen schisms in motorsports by following the on-again, off-again rifts in F1, Indy racing and rallying, those are nothing compared to the fisticuffs endured in sportscar racing over the past few decades. In addition to the Rolex Daytona series and the IMSA, to name just two, the FIA and ACO have been running separate series with separate rules for years. But as the former realigns its sportscar series and the latter further branches out from the Le Mans venue itself to series around the world, the two France-based governing bodies have been getting their ducks in a row. And new coordination between the organizations could lead to some cars which had been relegated to one over the other to bridge the gap and compete for top honors in both.

Among those potential series crossovers are the racing-spec Nissan GT-R and the Maserati MC12, both of which comply with the new FIA GT regulations which ACO is now ready to adopt. Based on the Japanese Super GT-spec GT-R racer and with input from Nismo, British racing team Gigawave Motorsports fielded a GT-R in four races of the 2009 FIA GT Championship in preparation for a full-scale assault on the reformed GT1 World Championship next year.

Meanwhile, the Maserati MC12 has been dominating the GT1 category in the FIA GT Championship for the past five years running, winning back-to-back titles, but had remained outside the Le Mans rules as the ACO refused to homologate the Enzo-based racer. With the door to Le Mans now opened - and the corresponding series in Europe, America and Asia potentially along with it - the teams fielding both cars are reportedly enthusiastic to meet the ACO's requirements with backing from their respective factories.


Gallery: 2009 FIA GT Test Days


[Source: Autosport]

REPORT: Nissan GT-R, Maserati MC12 heading to Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acofia gt championshipfia gt1 world championshipFIA GT3 European ChampionshipFiaGt1WorldChampionshipFiaGt3EuropeanChampionshipFiaGtChampionshipgt-rgtrle mansle mans seriesLeMansLeMansSeriesmaseratimaserati mc12MaseratiMc12mc12nissan gt-rnissan gt-r fia gtnissan gt-r fia gt1nissan gtrNissanGt-rNissanGt-rFiaGtNissanGt-rFiaGt1NissanGtrThu, 05 Nov 2009 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find Of the Day: 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa track machine, chassis #3/12]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-2006-maserati-mc12-corsa-track-machine-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-2006-maserati-mc12-corsa-track-machine-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-2006-maserati-mc12-corsa-track-machine-ch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mserati MC12 Corsa #3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Ferrari unveiled the Enzo supercar in 2002, it was the fastest, most expensive roadgoing vehicle ever to roll out of the gates in Maranello. But the exotic automaker - and its sister company Maserati - soon found that its wealthiest customers were willing and eager to pay even bigger money for the chance to get behind the wheel of even more extreme versions on the race track. So to meet that demand, the Enzo gave birth to two track-bound seven-figure beasts: the Ferrari FXX and the Maserati MC12 Corsa. Only twelve of the latter were made available for the Trident marque's most loyal customers. We reported on one example - the only one that managed to get onto the street - going up for sale a little over a year ago, and now another has popped up on eBay, this time right outta Miami.

The MC12 Corsa is an extended derivative of Maserati's racing program. Rather than field a competition-spec version of the Enzo itself, Ferrari lent the platform to Maserati - which was then under its wing following acquisition by Fiat - to create the MC12 GT1 racer. Homologation requirements in the FIA GT championship required Maserati to build a small run of street-legal versions, of which 50 were built and sold to select customers.

But some wanted more. So Modena cranked out the Corsa, a sort of mid-way point between the street-legal and full-on racing version, packing an upgraded 744 horsepower V12 engine in a competition-spec body, with everything kept in check by carbon metallic brakes sans ABS. It's got a full racing cockpit, complete with five-point harnesses, wheel-mounted digital display and everything else the make-believe racer could desire. Having originally sold from the factory for €1 million (US$1.47 million), bidding for chassis #3 starts at $879,000. Check out the listing after the link and the images in the gallery below.


Gallery: Maserati MC12 Corsa #3 on eBay

3712751_23712751_203712751_43712751_13712751_9

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find Of the Day: 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa track machine, chassis #3/12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayebay find of the dayEbayFindOfTheDaymasermaseratimaserati corsamaserati mc12maserati mc12 corsaMaseratiCorsaMaseratiMc12MaseratiMc12Corsamc12mc12 corsaMc12CorsaTue, 01 Sep 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Enzo, MC12, Carrera GT and Zonda at the 'Ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/05/video-enzo-mc12-carrera-gt-and-zonda-at-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/05/video-enzo-mc12-carrera-gt-and-zonda-at-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/05/video-enzo-mc12-carrera-gt-and-zonda-at-the-ring/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you liked Motor Trend's drag race between the Corvette ZR-1, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 GT2 and Nissan GT-R, you're going to love this. Because while MT's roster included some mouthwatering supercars, this video has got the top level of discontinued exotic machinery - Ferrari Enzo, Maserati MC12 and Porsche Carrera GT - all lining up to take their shots at the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, a track-bound supercar so exclusive we might as well call it discontinued too. Each one of these supercars is worth as much as all of the aforementioned Motor Trend machinery combined. And where did this multi-million-dollar road show head to stretch their legs? The Nurburgring, of course. (You didn't think they were going to autocross them around some pylons in a parking lot, did you?) Follow the jump to check out the video, which may be in German but if you know how to say Blitzschnell you'll have no trouble understanding the international language of speed.

[Source: AutoBild.tv via eurocarblog]

Continue reading VIDEO: Enzo, MC12, Carrera GT and Zonda at the 'Ring

VIDEO: Enzo, MC12, Carrera GT and Zonda at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carrera gtCarreraGtenzoexotic nurburgringExoticNurburgringferrari enzoFerrariEnzomaserati mc12MaseratiMc12mc12nurburgringpagani zondapagani zonda fpagani zonda f clubsportPaganiZondaPaganiZondaFPaganiZondaFClubsportporsche carrera gtPorscheCarreraGtvideozondazonda f clubsportZondaFClubsportWed, 05 Nov 2008 19:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Car Porn: Supercarmovies releases Nurburgring SUPERTEST vids]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-porn-supercarmovies-releases-nurburgring-supertest-vids/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-porn-supercarmovies-releases-nurburgring-supertest-vids/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-porn-supercarmovies-releases-nurburgring-supertest-vids/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above to view video trailer after the jump

As we told you a couple of weeks ago, there's one incredibly lucky dude in Europe who happens to own at least a handful of the greatest supercars of the modern era. He also happens to house them near the Nürburgring. It was only a matter of time before all five of the cars were brought to the 'Ring to have them 'rung out. Fortunately for us that blessed event recently took place, and more importantly, it was captured on film. Even better, the lads over at Supercarmovies were the ones who filmed it.

After sharing their lush, kinetic films of the Lamborghini LP640, Weismann GT, and most recently the Chevy Corvette Z06, they have just posted videos of the five supercars getting down to business. Follow the jump to watch the trailer for this blessed vid, and click the source link below to see the Maserati MC12, Ferrari Enzo, Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and Porsche Carrera GT as they make their way to the track. After that, you get to see the first contender, the Ferrari Enzo, do its thing. Videos of the remaining individual contenders will follow shortly. Same day, same driver, same conditions, no excuses.

[Source: Supercarmovies]

Continue reading Car Porn: Supercarmovies releases Nurburgring SUPERTEST vids

Car Porn: Supercarmovies releases Nurburgring SUPERTEST vids originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carrera gtCarreraGtEnzoferrari enzoFerrariEnzokoenigsegg ccxKoenigseggCcxmaserati mc12MaseratiMc12mc12nurburgringnurburgring supertestNurburgringSupertestpagani zondapagani zonda fPaganiZondaPaganiZondaFporsche carrera gtPorscheCarreraGtsupercarmoviessupertestzondaMon, 27 Oct 2008 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[More 'Ring running: Maserati MC12 beats world's best in super comparo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/more-ring-running-maserati-mc12-beats-worlds-best-in-super-co/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/more-ring-running-maserati-mc12-beats-worlds-best-in-super-co/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/more-ring-running-maserati-mc12-beats-worlds-best-in-super-co/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for more high-res shots of the Maserati MC12

Despite the fact there is no real "Official 'Ring Record" for production cars, manufacturers never miss the chance to time their fastest cars as they lap the famous German race track. After all, there's a great bit of marketing to be had by claiming that your car is faster than everything else. Maserati realizes this just as much as the next company, and the Italian automaker's MC12 is still 'super' even though it's now three years old. Perhaps even more so, as it recently managed to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7:24.29. Not only is this an extremely fast time, it betters the marks set by such enviable performers as the Ferrari Enzo, Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and Porsche Carrera GT. All of these cars are owned by one (very lucky) man and were tested with the same driver (American Le Mans Series racer Marc Basseng) at the same time and under the same conditions, while lap timing duties went to Europe's evo magazine. All of this lends a dose of credibility to the Trident's accomplishment that's lacking from the incredible 'Ring times that automakers have been claiming lately. So, while not all 'Ring times are created equal, some bragging rights now belong to Maserati.*

*The only car we know of that claims a faster time is the Dodge Viper ACR, which unofficially managed the deed in just 7:22. Your lap times may vary.

Gallery: 2005 Maserati MC12


[Source: Maserati]

More 'Ring running: Maserati MC12 beats world's best in super comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every racing fan has his favorite series. In most of the world, that'll probably be Formula One. In the United States, fans love their NASCAR. In parts of Europe they might follow DTM, but with few exceptions that's pretty much it. Except for Le Mans. Come June, everybody's attention turns to France. But that's just once a year, and sportscar racing continues around the world and around the calendar in such leagues as the LMS, ALMS and FIA GT Championship.

One of the most important endurance races of the year - the 24 Hours of Spa - just took place in Belgium at the Spa-Francorchamps this past weekend. If you follow the FIA GT series, you probably already know who won. But if you don't, follow the jump to see how the day-long race turned out.

[Source: Autosport, Image: Michel Krakowski/Getty]

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 24 Hours of Spa

SPOILER ALERT: 24 Hours of Spa originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click to view the Maserati MC12 Corsa in hi-res

Evey year automakers spend considerable amounts of money creating the most extreme racing cars to edge out their competition on the track. Unfortunately, lust-worthy as they are, those competition machines are rarely available to the common consumer to buy. That's where homologation regulations come into play.

The Maserati MC12 campaigns in the FIA GT Championship. In order to enter the championship, which the team took in 2005, Maserati fabricated and offered 50 vehicles to the public. But as devastatingly fast as the roadgoing MC12 was, some customers wanted more. So Modena rolled out 12 examples of the MC12 Corsa (a.k.a. Versione Corse) to satisfy the needs of its most loyal, track-obsessed clients. Based closely on the GT1 racing version, the MC12 Corsa packs a mammoth 6-liter V12 producing 744 horsepower - 121 more than the roadgoing supercar. The Versione Corse compared to the Ferrari FXX: both of them were based on the Ferrari Enzo, both were offered in limited numbers, both were maintained for their best clients by the factory, and most importantly, neither were certified for road use. However, one German customer managed to get his MC12 Corsa certified for street use, and that solitary example is now up for sale. Illustrating the point that depreciation does not apply to the top echelons of the supercar market, the minimum bid on this unique MC12 Corsa is 1.45 million euros - 45% higher than the original sale price from the factory, and it's sure to sell for more than that when the hammer finally drops.

Gallery: Maserati MC12 Versione Corse


[Source: MC12Corsa.com]

Street-legal Maserati MC12 Corsa up for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferrari fxxFerrariFxxmaseratimaserati mc12maserati mc12 corsamaserati mc12 versione corseMaseratiMc12MaseratiMc12CorsaMaseratiMc12VersioneCorsemc12 corsamc12 versione corseMc12CorsaMc12VersioneCorseMon, 04 Aug 2008 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Edo Competition revisits the Maserati MC12]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/edo-competition-revisits-the-maserati-mc12/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/edo-competition-revisits-the-maserati-mc12/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/edo-competition-revisits-the-maserati-mc12/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to view the Edo Maserati MC12 in our hi-res gallery

There is no shortage in the automotive world of tuners endeavoring to squeeze extra performance out of already devastatingly fast cars. But Edo Competition is a breed apart. For those still unfamiliar, check out our previous posts on Edo's customized Lamborghini LP640, Ferrari 599 and Porsche Carrera GT, which demonstrate that, in Edo's blue eyes, perfection is relative and can always be improved upon. Their latest venture was to crank up the Ferrari Enzo, and have once again turned their attention to its sister supercar, the Maserati MC12.

This, of course, isn't the first time the German tuning house has taken their hammers to the uber-Trident, having cranked out the MC12 XX and cranked up the MC12 Corsa. A bit more subdued than its predecessors, the latest MC12 package aims to improve the super-exotic's power-to-weight ratio, which came as stock a bit lower than that of the Enzo due to more bodywork. Edo has managed to trim 220 lbs of extra weight from the Maserati, while increasing power by 70 cavalli to 700hp. Edo has also fitted a host of modified components from the variable exhaust and adjustable rear wing to the retuned suspension and new wheel package. Visual changes were kept to a minimum, but customers can always specify their own exterior and interior mods. Check out the stats after the jump and the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Edo Competition Maserati MC12


[Source: Edo Competition via WCF]

Continue reading Edo Competition revisits the Maserati MC12

Edo Competition revisits the Maserati MC12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 May 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Maserati MC12 is a rare beast. Only 25 were made in 2005 and just seven of those were federalized for use in the United States, one of which is this blue-and-white gem you see above. Similar to its brother, the Ferrari Enzo, the MC12 shares not only the Ferrari 6.0-liter V12, but the same hefty price tag, as well. The current bid for this particular example is over $1,200,000 and still under the reserve. Originally owned by a collector in Florida, it is up for sale by Lamborghini of Las Vegas and only has 521 miles clocked on the odometer. Check out the gallery below for additional photos while you figure out how to cash in that 401k that's not doing anything for you right now.

Gallery: eBay Find: 2005 Maserati MC12


[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: 2005 Maserati MC12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayebay motorsEbayMotorsMaseratimaserati mc12MaseratiMc12MC12Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Maserati MC12 at Hockenheim]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/autoblog-night-watch-maserati-mc12-at-hockenheim/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/autoblog-night-watch-maserati-mc12-at-hockenheim/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/autoblog-night-watch-maserati-mc12-at-hockenheim/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As is the case with many uber-exotics, using the term 'road car' is subjective. With the Maserati MC12, that designation is stretched even further. So what's the best venue to showcase the virtues of such a vehicle? None other than the world-famous Hockenheim circuit in Germany.

The Enzo-based, homologation special gives up the goods to those of you with a speed fetish, with plenty of drive time, including a lap of the MC12 with a track map superimposed on the screen, so you can see the setup and execution of every glorious turn.

Dim the lights, crank the volume and enjoy.

[Source: Streetfire.net]

Autoblog Night Watch: Maserati MC12 at Hockenheim originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hockenheimmaserati mc12MaseratiMc12Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:05:00 EST