Even in Maserati’s rich, bizarre, dazzling, disastrous, triumphant, tragic, comedic and fascinating history, the story of the MC12 is quite a tale. It was conceived to return Maserati to top level motorsport and achieved multiple championships in a long career from 2004 to 2010. However, the twists and turns along the way are pure Maserati. Although, the first real controversy was that the MC12 was actually based on a Ferrari Enzo chassis and also featured its 6.0-litre V12 engine...
Initially, the MC12 had to fight to be homologated by the FIA. A battle it eventually won at the end of the 2004 season, despite having already competed in a number of races. The ACO, which organises Le Mans, simply wouldn’t allow the MC12 to race as it was too long and wide to suit GT1 regulations. Over the years the MC12 was subject to weight penalties, redesigned with a short nose configuration for the American Le Mans Series and gradually eroded from its ultimate form into a compromised, radically reined in shadow of itself.
But it continued to win. They couldn’t stop it. The MC12 was just so good right down to its (Ferrari derived) bones, that the race victories just kept on coming. Maserati chose to build on this legacy by, um, pulling out of motorsport again and still hasn’t returned at the highest level even as endurance racing enjoys a new golden era. It’ll be along eventually. Just when it all goes wrong, probably. It’s the Maserati way. Greatness must be followed by mediocrity, just as sure as pasta follows antipasti.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2024 من BBC TopGear India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2024 من BBC TopGear India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Mi5 SILENT, POSH AND LETHAL!
With its reimagined design language, BMW has done what it does best-divided opinion with the kind of fervour usually reserved for debates about pineapple on pizza.
A VIRAL ESCAPE
The last time I visited Hampi in Karnataka was back in 2021, just as the world began to shake off the COVID-19 travel bans.
FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION
Thierry Neuville's Journey to WRC Glory
Max Verstappen: FOUR-TIME CHAMP UNDER THE VEGAS LIGHTS
From dominance to resilience, Verstappen cements his legacy while Mercedes shines in Sin
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS GT PLUS SPORT: SEXY+SPORT
Volkswagen has a knack for keeping their loyal and enthusiastic customers grinning from ear to ear. The German manufacturer has almost become synonymous with build quality, safety and performance.
BE GE AND XEV 9E Sexy and Ballsy!
Starting a review can be quite a challenge, especially when it's hard to pinpoint the flaws!
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE
Chilly, cold mornings and Mumbai is a rare combination that we seldom see in this part of our beautiful country.
BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS
When Luxury Meets Performance, Who Takes the Crown?
THE E-MPV THAT DARES TO DREAM BIG
The MPV market, dominated for aeons by Toyota's Innova, has always felt like a rather predictable place. It's the type of vehicle you buy not out of passion but practicality-like a pair of orthopaedic shoes.
IMPRACTICAL YET IRRESISTIBLE
Exactly ten years ago, I took my first international trip. It was to Bahrain, a country of endless desert and skyscrapers, where my aunt and uncle lived. Among their friends and neighbours, one particular gentleman, upon learning I was a budding petrolhead, took an entire day off work to take me around the city’s showrooms to see some “normal” Middle East traffic.
