Last year, Maserati launched a sportier version of their GranTurismo coupe in Europe and called it the MC Stradale. However, for those of us in North America who can afford such play things, the sad news was that this model was not going to be available on our shores.

To keep its North American customer base happy, Maserati has now unveiled a version of their sleek coupe just for us and its called the GranTurismo MC.

So what’s the difference between an MC Stradale and this new MC? Well they look just about the same, but there are some notable changes under the skin and in the cabin. Whereas the MC Stradale used an F1 style sequential gearbox, the MC makes use of the ZF six-speed automatic found in other Maserati road cars.

Inside, the MC retains its rear seats, which were junked for the MC Stradale version. So it seems the North American version is a watered down version of what our European cousins get to play with, but not quite. Thankfully the MC Stradale’s tweaked 4.7-liter, V8 which produces 450-hp has found its way into the North American MC also. That engine can power this coupe all the way to 185 mph and sprint from 0-62 mph in just 4.9 seconds. Also worth noting, this engine is  available in the GranCabrio Sport.

For more details on this model, check out the press release below:

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Over the weekend Maserati revealed its GranTurismo MC race car at the FIA Media Days at the Paul Ricard circuit in France. The completely stripped down car will weight less than 1,400 kg (or 3,087 lbs) and while Maserati hasn’t released horsepower output numbers, they have said that the car will use the 4.7-liter Maserati V8 powerplant and boast a power to weight ratio of 3.4 kg/hp (which would put the horsepower rating at about 411 ponies).

The car will initially only be for sale directly from Maserati to race teams who intend on participating in the European FIA GT4 championship – a series in which close-to-stock vehicles participate. In 2010, however, Maserati intends to use the GranTurismo MC more extensively by organizing a one-make racing series for gentleman-drivers, much like the Ferrari Challenge or Lamborghini SuperTrofeo.

The GranTurismo MC is priced at 130,00 Euro, or roughly $170,000.

GALLERY: Maserati GranTurismo MC

Official release after the jump:

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