MC12-inspired MCXtrema honours Maserati's endurance legacy

MC12-inspired MCXtrema honours Maserati's endurance legacy

Endurance racing is on the up, and manufacturers are heavily invested in the sport. Races like the 24h of Le Mans have retained an untouchable pedigree in the sport, but events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa are seeing a rising interest. But like all good racing stories, history is an important factor. To celebrate 20 years since the MC12's historic victory in 2005, Maserati has given its MCXtrema a new look, as it will lead the parade ahead of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

Some 20 years ago, the MC12 battled changing weather and brutal conditions to take home its first victory at the 24 Hours of Spa. Michael Bartels, Timo Scheider and Eric van de Poele, with the support of the Vitaphone team, demonstrated just how dominant the MC12 was along the vast straights and high-speed turns of Spa. The following year, they did it again, and in 2008, they added another driver, Stéphane Sarrazin, to the mix and won it once more. It’s an achievement which is looked back on with cherished memories at Maserati, and to celebrate 20 years since its first winning outing, they are bringing it back – well, the look, not the car, unfortunately.

The car that is graced with this look is Maserati's track-only weapon called the MCXtrema, and as far as car aesthetics go, it's one of the finest-looking cars I have seen. But simply parking this car for patrons to gawk at over the weekend would not be a worthwhile application of this special edition. So the MCXtrema will be the 24 Hours of Spa's historic lead car, leading the way for the hundreds of show cars that will parade around the track to the city centre. This parade is a time capsule of endurance racing at Spa while also showing off the metal that will be competing, and to lead this field is an honour. A beautiful car commemorating an iconic moment fits the bill, especially with Maserati's racing division's 100th anniversary fast approaching.

This particular MCXtrema features a blue and black livery with specific attention to iconic racing details, but it retains its 544kW and 730Nm 3.0-litre V6 with a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Pair that with a dry weight of 1,300kg and a fully race-equipped interior, and it’s as brutal as it comes. So to blend a serious Italian with a stunning paint job, well, it’s a recipe for attention.

This special edition is more of a celebratory statement for the brand rather than a production model. Nevertheless, the MC12 was a legend and was one of the few cars that sparked my passion for motorsport. So, to see elements of the classic in a modern performance masterpiece is a PR stunt we love to see at the races.

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