Maserati holds an astounding record of producing some of the best sports cars on the planet. With the brand’s much-admired status, Maserati cars are the top sporty choices out there. They remain on our shortlist. There are so many reasons to love them. Their robust V8 engine, fancy styling, and everything between. Maserati sports cars are what dreams are all about. These are the vehicles that are ideal for people who like to drive in style and luxury. Also, folks who don’t mind fetching a lot of attention along the way. That said, it’s no surprise why these cars are so common in the celebrity world. One Maserati vehicle that makes a powerful statement is the GranTurismo MC Stradale.
Debuting at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is among the brand's highest-powered cars. It's also the longest-produced model behind the GranTurismo base trim. And it's the brand’s first four-seater convertible, the GranCabrio. The MC Stradale is popular for its unique 2+2 body configuration, which comes from the Maserati M139 platform. This is the same platform that underpins a lot of Fiat cars. The platform features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink rear suspension. It’s responsible for the configuration of the GranCabrio and the Quattroporte siblings. This rear-wheel-drive platform is also shared with the Alfa Romeo. It was once gauged to support America’s ultimate sports car, the Dodge Viper.
The GranTurismo family still has a big stance in the market today, even though Maserati axed the lineup. This is laregly due to the brand’s legacy, style, and fame. Also, since they’re no longer in production, they’ve become more affordable today.
The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale does everything a typical sports car can do, only better. We’ll be diving into some of the features that make it so special, and why it deserves to be your everyday driver, compared to the Dodge Viper.
The MC Stradale’s Design Is Courtesy Of The M139 Platform
The MC Stradale has a spectacular design that comes second to none. At the front, it features the iconic grille with the silver Maserati logo floating in the center. It also features LED headlights that come with bi-xenon illumination. This feature tracks the movement of the steering wheel up to 15 degrees. The headlights are also fitted with adaptive lighting control. This provides the best visibility of the road ahead of you. The MC Stradale also features fender vents. These work to extract hot air from the engine harbor, and hood vents that help cool the engine down. The MC model also has a front spoiler, side skirts, and a rear diffuser. These features help increase downforce at 124 mph by 25% in the front and 50% at the back, adding stars to its performance.
One noteworthy factor is that the MC Stradale belongs to Maserati’s M139 Platform. As stated, this platform supports the Fiat group, the Alfa Romeo, and a plethora of Maserati production cars. Dodge intended to use the Maserati platform for their aggressive SRT Viper. But, the proportions didn’t fit. The Dodge still borrowed a lot of visual elements from Maserati and Ferrari and used a carbon fiber build. At a glance, the Dodge Viper is similar to the MC Stradale. This is especially true on the coupe body styles, front track width, and rear-wheel-drive configurations. In dimension, the MC Stradale is longer than the Dodge Viper.
The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Packs Some Serious Ponies
One factor that makes the GranTurismo line-up so eminent is their powertrains. The 2013 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale comes with a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 engine. This engine produces up to 454 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 384 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 RPM. Considering that the first GranTurismo’s 4.7-liter V8 only made 434 hp, the 2013 MC Stradale has a significant bump in power. This power still doesn't put it at par with the Viper, which runs on an 8.4-liter V-10 engine, making 640 horsepower at 6150 RPM.
The GranTurismo's 4.7-liter V8 combines with a 6-speed automated manual, shared with the Ferrari F430. It transfers the power to the rear wheels, propelling the MC Stradale from standstill to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Its drivetrain also consists of a Skyhook suspension system. This system incorporates sensors to driving conditions. It also allows the driver to choose between the sport-oriented or comfort-oriented mode.
Its Interior Combines Convenience, Practicality, And Luxury
The interior of the 2013 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale boasts luxury and comfort. Almost every surface of the interior is leather, including the 3-spoke steering wheel. The seats come with enhanced lateral support and heat functions. They also incorporate brand-embroidered headrests and contrasting stitching. Dodge didn’t put much effort into the SRT Viper’s interior, even with the cues from the Maserati and Ferrari in the mix.
The MC Stradale has rear seats that are comfy enough room for medium-sized adults. Something even a Porsche 911 doesn’t offer. We can’t say the same about the luggage space, as it can only carry up to 9.2 cubic feet of cargo.
One thing you’ll notice about its interior is that it has a huge emphasis on technology. The MC Stradale’s interior is driver-focussed, with controls that are well-positioned for easy access. The steering wheel features many buttons and dials. One of them is the fiber paddle-shifters. These work with the automatic transmission in Sport Mode. Other tech features include satellite radio, a voice-activated navigation system, and an 11-speaker Bose audio system.