Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo Race Car Launched in Frankfurt

Launch of the GranTurismo MC Trofeo

Maserati wrote the first glorious chapter in its history in the world of motor racing: from its foundation in 1914, until construction of the first pure Maserati, the Tipo 26 dated 1926. Since then, Maserati has always produced single-seaters and sports cars that have left their mark on the most prestigious races thanks to the great performance, versatility and reliability that still characterizes all Maserati vehicles today.

The list of honors is a long one, and includes two wins at the Indianapolis 500, in 1939 and ‘40 with Wilbur Shaw driving an 8CTF Boyle Special, two F1 World Championship wins with Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954 and 1957 in a Maserati 250F, not to mention the long series of successes notched up by the Maserati MC12 GT1, that has won ten titles and three Spa 24-hour races in the FIA GT championship since 2005.

Passion, spectacle, exclusivity and entertainment. Four words that sum up the essence of the new GranTurismo MC Trofeo, to be launched in 2010. On the strength of its experience in the previous editions of Trofeo Europa, Maserati is now able to offer racing enthusiasts and “gentlemen drivers” among its customers a championship that is the only one of its kind on the international motor racing scene.

The GranTurismo MC Trofeo has preserved the same organizational formula that contributed to the success of previous editions. By enrolling in the championship, drivers will acquire a package of services including all technical and organizational aspects. Drivers can enter as individual competitors, or with a team mate.

Beginning in April 2010, the Trofeo will be held on seven dates with two 40-minute races, at Europe’s most prestigious circuits, with two 40-minutes races per event.

Preview of the GranTurismo MC Trofeo

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo was created on the back of the GranTurismo MC Concept, a vehicle developed on the basis of the highly successful road going model, the GranTurismo S. Maserati Corse technicians have taken the standard vehicle, made it much lighter and optimized its dynamics, while maintaining the reliability of components in the engine, gearbox and transmission.

Thanks to a remapped ECU, the use of a racing-grade exhaust system and the application of a specific air filter, the power of the V8 4.691cc engine rises to 330.9Kw (450CV), with torque of 510 Nm at 4750 rpm. The gearbox is the standard electro-actuated one.

The vehicle is fitted with racing-type single set dampers and special wheels - 11”x18” at the front and 13”x18” at the rear, on which wide-section tires have been fitted to enhance the car’s performance. The braking system (no ABS) consists of mono-bloc calipers and steel discs.