Performance Review: Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati MC12 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 is the 6 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Maserati MC12 has a 5998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The MC12 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the MC12's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1445 kgs (3185 lbs) this makes the Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati MC12 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5998cc 48V V12 engine produces 621 bhp (463 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 481 lb-ft (652.1 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Maserati MC12 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 (454.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati MC12.

The Maserati MC12 has a Power to weight ratio of 429.7 bhp per ton and 332.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 MC12 competing with the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 (454.5 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S (454.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Maserati MC12 generating around 332.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (357.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (357.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MC12 and the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS

When talking about the performance of the Maserati MC12 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.05 secs @ 123.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (11.00 secs), the 2014 Porsche Cayman GTS 3.4L (11.00 secs), and the 2017 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (11.00 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 has a maximum speed of 205mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 MC12 equals the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 then how about the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph), the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph), or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (217 mph).

Related Links:

2004 MC12 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison