Monaco, that tiny Mediterranean principality propped up by the excesses of the super-rich, is now home to the MCA ALA 50, a 650hp carbon-fibre bodied supercar that looks suspiciously similar to Maserati’s MC12.

The ALA 50, named in tribute to the 50th birthday of Prince Albert II of Monaco, was unveiled in prototype form at Monte Carlo recently, where it was also announced that an ALA 50 would be fielded in the 2010 Le Mans 24-hour. The car’s official launch is later this year, after which Monte Carlo Automobile will offer the ALA 50 to the (well-heeled and well-connected) public.

There’s no mention of price as yet, however we’re willing to bet that it’ll be a case of “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it”. There’s a similar scarcity of information when it comes to further technical specs on the ALA 50. Sure, we know the engine is a V8 and that it supposedly has 650hp, but we’ve got no idea what engine it’s based on or even if it’s a completely unique design. MCA’s website is thick on hyperbole but devoid of any actual information, so it seems that more stats will be revealed closer to the launch date.

Personally I’m confused as to why MCA chose to name their mega-horsepower road-legal racecar after some old dude. Sure, it’s been done before with the Ferrari Enzo, but that car’s namesake practically invented the concept of a supercar, while Prince Albert II is perhaps most famous for fathering illegitimate children. Conclusion: Money can’t buy you sense.

GALLERY » Monte Carlo Automobile ALA 50

[Source: Supercars.net]