Zagato Unleashes Monster Maserati

Zagato Design srl has unveiled its new Maserati Mostro (Italian for "monster") at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Eleganza in Como, Italy. Designed to celebrate Maserati's 100th anniversary, the Mostro pays tribute to the Maserati 450 S Coupe Zagato nicknamed the monster that Stirling Moss commissioned to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1957.

The new Mostro is built around a carbon fiber monocell chassis with bolted on steel sub-frames that form the passenger compartment. The car's body is made entirely of carbon fiber. The doors hinge upward from the A pillar.

Design cues include a wide windshield and fixed glass windows. The rear is anchored by a large spoiler. Power comes from a mid-front mounted 4.2-liter V-8 engine mated to a 6-speed automated manual transmission. The gearbox sits over the rear axle to improve weight distribution. Performance specifications haven't been released yet.

Aimed at "pure racing mechanics," the rear-wheel-drive Mostro is fitted with a double wishbone suspension both in the front and rear. Although designed primarily for track use, the Mostro is road legal.

Production will be limited to five cars, all of which have been pre-purchased for an unspecified price. Deliveries will begin later this year.