03.03.2004 MASERATI MC 12 RACER JOINS ITS ROAD GOING COMPATRIOT AS THE TWO FEARSOME CARS STAR IN GENEVA

The 74th Geneva Motor Show has seen the official presentation of the Maserati MC 12 in both road and race form.

This fearsome car, based around Ferrari's Enzo supercar, has spawned a road version in order to gain FIA racing homologation of which a run of only 25 units is officially planned. However with all these being instantly sold, Maserati is now considering extending the production run.

The MC12 is a real aggressive looking racer, its flowing, contour hugging bodywork cut with huge air intakes, aerodynamic sweeps, a massive racing rear wing and a large rear splitter. The twin exhausts exit above the undertray, having travelled straight back from the cylinder head manifolds.

The race version was first seen in January when the prototype took to Ferrari's private Fiorano test track, and over the last two months the car, previously know by the codename MCC has undertaken several weeks of testing in the hands of test drivers Fabio Babini and Andrea Bertolini. Now the MC 12, as this 6.0-litre V12 powered car is know, has made its official public debut as it gears up for a racing debut later in the year.

The racer, painted in Maserati's dark blue colours and emblazoned with two huge Trident logos, is joined on the stand by the Targa top road version. These two stunning cars have become instant stars of the Geneva Show.