Tallman
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This seems to be the most specific comment about the mechanicals for the MCV - so it seems no changes to the engine/gearbox, but it does mention a different steering rack:
INSIDE TRACK: THE GRANSPORT BOSS SPEAKS OUT. WELL, KIND OF…
We spoke to Omar Barbieri, currently Vehicle Technical Responsible, Maserati SpA. He was the Development Manager on the GranSport project. Could he shed any light on the ‘extra tweaks’ rumours? Hmm…
Drive-My: How long did it take for The MC Victory project?
Omar: The GranSport was developed in 15months. Six months were dedicated to MC Victory development.
Drive-My: What were the project’s biggest challenges?
Omar: The MCV is a limited series of the GranSport, which was in turn derived from the Coupè, with an important series of variants and performance increases. The biggest challenge was to emphasise some of these characteristics on the MCV without losing any respect to the GranSport.
Drive-My: Was the steering rack a bespoke product, or was it sourced from another car?
Omar: The MCV rack was a specific component produced by TRW. Inside, there are some components taken from the TRW shelf, such as the nine-slot hydraulic valve.
Drive-My: What changes were made to the engine internals over the original Coupe?
Omar: The engine of the GranSport and the MCV has 401hp, an increase of 11hp compared to the Coupè, obtained by the reduction of back pressure for exhaust and intake. The shortening of the 6th ratio gave sportier performance.
Drive-My: Was a manual gearbox considered for the MCV?
Omar: The version of the electro-actuated gearbox (Maserati Cambiocorsa) guaranteed, especially in sports use, shorter shift times, greater performance and driving fun.
Drive-My: What would you have done differently?
Omar: The project has achieved all the objectives set and all the cars were sold before going into production. I would not change anything from this point of view. On the other hand, whenever a model can be rethought, it could be redone differently.
Drive-My: What’s the best bit about the MCV?
Omar: With the adoption of MC12 seats the pleasure in sporty driving became exhilarating and combined well with the details that made the model unique.
INSIDE TRACK: THE GRANSPORT BOSS SPEAKS OUT. WELL, KIND OF…
We spoke to Omar Barbieri, currently Vehicle Technical Responsible, Maserati SpA. He was the Development Manager on the GranSport project. Could he shed any light on the ‘extra tweaks’ rumours? Hmm…
Drive-My: How long did it take for The MC Victory project?
Omar: The GranSport was developed in 15months. Six months were dedicated to MC Victory development.
Drive-My: What were the project’s biggest challenges?
Omar: The MCV is a limited series of the GranSport, which was in turn derived from the Coupè, with an important series of variants and performance increases. The biggest challenge was to emphasise some of these characteristics on the MCV without losing any respect to the GranSport.
Drive-My: Was the steering rack a bespoke product, or was it sourced from another car?
Omar: The MCV rack was a specific component produced by TRW. Inside, there are some components taken from the TRW shelf, such as the nine-slot hydraulic valve.
Drive-My: What changes were made to the engine internals over the original Coupe?
Omar: The engine of the GranSport and the MCV has 401hp, an increase of 11hp compared to the Coupè, obtained by the reduction of back pressure for exhaust and intake. The shortening of the 6th ratio gave sportier performance.
Drive-My: Was a manual gearbox considered for the MCV?
Omar: The version of the electro-actuated gearbox (Maserati Cambiocorsa) guaranteed, especially in sports use, shorter shift times, greater performance and driving fun.
Drive-My: What would you have done differently?
Omar: The project has achieved all the objectives set and all the cars were sold before going into production. I would not change anything from this point of view. On the other hand, whenever a model can be rethought, it could be redone differently.
Drive-My: What’s the best bit about the MCV?
Omar: With the adoption of MC12 seats the pleasure in sporty driving became exhilarating and combined well with the details that made the model unique.