ALL NEW AUTO CARS

As we told you in our previous post, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is a racier, sportier version of Maser's big coupe (think the GT3, but from Maserati). According to the Italian sports / luxury carmaker, the MC Stradale didn't budge an inch when it came to comprises in return for performance; it handles better without losing ride quality (that has yet to be tested), it's more powerful without sacrificing fuel economy, and it plants itself harder without adding any drag.

Under the hood is a Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 that develops 450 horsepower and 510 Nm / 376 lb ft of torque. The GT racer was also put on a diet, shedding 110 kilograms in the process (it now weigh 1,770 kg and keeps its 48/52 weight distribution).

According to the Italians, the MC Stradale is the first normal-production, road-going Maserati to break the 300km/h [186 mph] barrier.

The car routs power through an "electro-actuated" transmission that shifts in a scant 60 milliseconds; launched optimally, the car should hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds.

Inside, the car gets a "simplified" dash layout, loses the rear seats, and picks up some racing buckets (as well as an optional roll cage and 4-point harnesses). Also, besides having an "Auto" and "Sport" mode, there's the first-ever "Race" mode found in a road-going Maserati.

Back on the outside, there are a bunch of new little add-ons for performance, weight reduction, and just plain good looks. All-new parts included in the exterior modifications are: a new front splitter, front and rear bumpers, front guard panels, side sills, hood, and exhaust tips.

As long as you don't live in the US, Canada, or Korea, you might be able to spot one on the road after it goes on sale next February.

By Phil Alex

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After the standard 404HP GranTurismo, the sportier 'S' with 440HP in both manual and automatic flavors and more recently the limited edition 'S MC Sport Line', Maserati is once again expanding its coupe's lineup with the introduction of a new model.

Set to make its world premiere at this month's Paris motorshow, the more hardcore GranTurismo MC Stradale is claimed to be "the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range" when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011.

The strictly two-seater model is inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, and features a more powerful version of the Ferrari-sourced V8 producing 450HP.

Maserati said the car will boast "razor-sharp handling and will break the 300km/h [187mph] barrier", adding that the reworked body also produces more aerodynamic down force without producing more aerodynamic drag.

No other details were given on the car but the official photos show a raft of styling upgrades including the new front end with a lower spoiler and additional air ducts, chunkier side skirts, possibly larger front fenders with new air vents, a boot lid spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and twin central exhaust pipes plus unique alloy wheels.

Full details on the car will be release at the Paris auto show.

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