Inspired by Maserati's GT4 and Trofeo race cars, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is the maddest road-going Maser to date.

It's 4.7-litre V8 engine has been tuned to give 450 raging stallions and 510Nm of torque. Loosely translated, it gives the coupé a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds and a flat-out speed of 301km/h. Weighing 110kg less than the GranTurismo S, the crash diet is to sharpen handling, acceleration and response.

It is also the first Maserati in history to have a dedicated Race mode. On the outside, the MC Stradale is slightly longer, with a front splitter and a redesigned rear bumpers. Both of which are said to produce more aerodynamic down force without increasing drag.

Brakes have been upgraded to a larger carbon-ceramic setup and the suspension has been stiffened and lowered. This new brute runs on custom-made tyres from Pirelli as well. Inside, the feisty Italian has no rear seats for weight savings, but it gets the hardcore option of a roll cage, which comes with a four-point racing harness.

With the removal of the rear seats, the GranTurismo MC Stradale will be the only two-seat Maserati in the current line-up. It has been designed to give a deeply engaging, racing-car driving experience, regardless of what kind of road its drivers are on. For a reminder that this is no ordinary grand tourer, a fire extinguisher option is also available.