Very Orange Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa Could Brighten Your January For £3m

We’re all in agreement this is a miserable January, right? It’s cold, it’s dark and quite frankly, we’re skint. If, however, you’ve still got some Christmas cash burning a hole in your pocket, this particular Italian supercar could be ready to brighten things up for you.

This is a one-of-12 Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa. Directly translating to ‘Version Race’, it’s a track-only version of the ‘00s V12 supercar which was derived directly from the GT1-spec racer. With the FIA-homologated racer going on to win back-to-back Spa 24 Hour wins alongside a sleuth of championships, real motorsport pedigree went into the Versione Corsa.

Without having to adhere to a rulebook, this MC12 was fully unhinged as a machine for private track days, much like Ferrari’s FXX program which ran simultaneously (and still does, albeit with several more cars introduced since).

As a result, its 6.0-litre naturally-aspirated F140B V12 was able to run without any restriction. It produced a ridiculous 745bhp at 8,000rpm - a considerable 125bhp rise over the road car - and thumped it to the rear wheels through a six-speed ‘Cambiocorsa’ automated manual gearbox. It also made do without traction, stability control or even ABS - not that the latter would hinder a 0-124mph sprint of 6.4 seconds.

A more aggressive rear wing replaced the moulded spoiler on the Stradale too, with canards and a huge diffuser added to the package. Weight was also shed 200kg to 1,150kg - no meant feat considering how pared back the regular road car was, and that’s including the fitment of a roll cage.

Chassis 0008 is the car RM Sotheby’s will auction in Paris on 31 January and comes in a very eye-catching and surely one-of-a-kind bright orange. Mind you, It’s expected to fetch as much as €3,500,000 (approx. £3m), so cheap it is not.