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Orange 2007 Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa is a 755-hp track tiger, and it's for sale

Maserati will enter a new era when it launches an all-new vehicle called the MC20 in May. As the name tips, the upcoming super sports car will be the spiritual successor to the MC12, one of the greatest Maseratis (and greatest cars) ever produced. So the timing couldn't have matched up any better when the ultimate form of the MC12 popped up for sale. Girardo & Co. is currently offering an orange-over-black MC12 Versione Corsa, one of only 12 ever built, and it is undeniably special. Girardo touts the MC12 Corsa as the most powerful Maserati ever built, not surprising considering the Ferrari Enzo-sourced MC12 was related to a race car. The MC12 was the road-going homologated version of the MC12 GT1, which dominated during its time in international GT racing. The GT1 had an air-restricted 6.0-liter V12 that made 580 bhp, while the MC12 made 630. But the Corsa was different. The Corsa, which is not street-legal and is intended for non-competitive track use only, is based on the GT1, but it didn't have to play by all of the rules and regulations required of a race car. That meant no air intake restrictions. With the shackles off, the Corsa's V12 increased its output to 755 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. Weighing in at 2,535 pounds without liquids, thanks in part to the carbon fiber and Nomex honeycomb sandwich monocoque, the Corsa is capable of a 202.5-mph top speed. Maserati claims zero to 124 mph in 6.4 seconds. Gear work is handled by a six-speed sequential semi-automatic Cambiocorsa gearbox, and stopping power comes from carbon ceramic brakes. Whereas Maserati built 50 examples of the MC12 road car, the Corsa model was significantly more limited. In total, 13 examples were built, and one was a prototype. This specific car, chassis No. ZAMDF44B000029631, is No. 8 of 12, and it has an interior plaque that says, "Commemorates the victory at its maiden long distance race the 24hrs of Spa. A first in racing history." Originally, the cars were offered to top-tier customers through invitation to purchase the vehicle for $1.1 million, by today's conversion rates.  Although the price is not listed, we expect today's purchase number to be significantly higher. In 2017, a different Corsa was listed for $2.75 million. Check out more details and photos on Girardo & Co. Related Video:    

Maserati details the new, 630-hp V6 that will power its mid-engined MC20 coupe

Maserati is done leaning on former sister company Ferrari for technical support. It has unveiled the six-cylinder engine it designed and will build in-house to power the MC20 supercar that's scheduled to make its debut later in 2020. Ferrari's willingness to develop and/or build engines for Maserati shrank significantly when it split from former parent company Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in early 2016 and became independent. Insiders knew the division would be spun off, so they began designing Maserati's new engine (which is called Nettuno) in 2015 and accelerated the process in 2017. It's a 90-degree, 3.0-liter V6 with a dry sump and a twin-spark, pre-chamber ignition system rooted in racing. In this application, it's twin-turbocharged (the turbos are mounted on the outside of the engine rather than in the middle of it) and it's equipped with both direct and indirect fuel injection.  All told, the 485-pound Nettuno engine develops 630 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 538 pound-feet of torque between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm. It continues revving to a redline of 8,000 rpm.  Matteo Valentini, Maserati's chief engineer, explained the Nettuno engine will ultimately power the company's entire range of vehicles, though he stopped short of naming the specific models that will use it after the MC20. He added the six-cylinder will "bring Maserati back into the world of racing," meaning its output will likely grow in the not-too-distant future. We'll learn more about the engine when the MC20 makes its debut September 9. What remains to be seen is whether Maserati will replace the V8 available in the Levante and the Quattroporte, or if it will surf the downsizing wave sweeping across the industry. Developed jointly with Ferrari in the early 2010s, that engine makes 590 horsepower when it's bolted in the Levante Trofeo's bay, meaning its output is eclipsed by the Nettuno V6's. Both engines are built around a 90-degree architecture, so the 3.0-liter V6 could turn into a 4.0-liter V8 if it's modular enough to gain a pair of cylinders — and if Maserati sees a market for another eight-cylinder. Featured Gallery Maserati Nettuno 3.0-liter V6 engine Maserati Coupe Performance

Dealer sues Maserati for fabricating sales numbers

A Maserati dealer with stores in New York, New Jersey, and Florida is suing Maserati North America for allegedly requesting that they inflate sales or receive lower incentives. The plaintiff in this case refused to participate and claims that it unfairly lost profits as a result, according to Automotive News. The lawsuit hinges on a request from FCA that its dealers move vehicles into their test-drive fleet, a practice called punching them. Most stores keep at least one example of each model in their demonstrator fleet. While they don't immediately go to a customer, a punched vehicle appears as a sale for an automaker at the end of the month. This case alleges that Maserati North America told its dealers in September 2014 to punch 2015 Ghiblis, even though the sedans hadn't been delivered yet. As a result, the Italian automaker was able to post an additional 105 sales for the month. Furthermore, the stores purportedly received additional bonuses when they later sold these models to customers, and there was possibly another request to claim vehicles as demonstrators in December 2014, Automotive News reports. Amid rapidly growing global demand, Maserati increased Ghibli and Quattroporte production to 900 cars per week in mid-2014. However, the company had to reverse course in 2015 and cut back shifts at its Grugliasco factory. The launch of the upcoming Levante crossover is expected to bring another boost.