Maserati MC20

Since 1914, beautiful racing and sports cars have been rolling out of the beautiful Modena in Italy. However, the recent history of Maserati is more complicated than it appears at first glance. From 1997 onwards, the company was closely associated with Ferrari and received constant support in the development of new models. In 2005, the parent company Fiat gradually dissolved this close relationship, leaving Maserati back on its own. From a technical point of view, the company now works more closely with Alfa Romeo. However, work on a successor to the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, as well as the series development of the Alfieri, announced since the concept car back in 2014, has stagnated for the same reason, as the expertise of the sports car manufacturer from Maranello is lacking. A supercar project that would have been based on the carbon monocoque of the LaFerrari also had to be scrapped. Last night, however, the new MC20 made its debut, proving that Maserati is capable of putting such a car on its own. In particular this new supercar follows the MC12 of 2004. Technologically, it should take the brand to the next level.

First version comes with 630 hp

Initially there is the MC20 with a biturbo V6 engine with three liters of displacement. Contrary to previous fears, this engine, christened ‘Nettuno’, has nothing in common with the V6 engine from the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Instead, Maserati developed this power unit entirely in-house, incorporating technology from the world of motorsport. A passive pre-chamber dual ignition system increased the power output to 463 kW/630 hp and 730 newtonmeters of torque. The power is transferred to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a mechanical limited slip differential, accelerating the MC20 in less than 2.9 seconds to 62 mph and in less than 8.8 seconds to 124 mph. Maserati claims a topspeed of more than 201 mph. Thanks to the ultra-light and particularly strong carbon monocoque and the body parts, which are also made of carbon fiber, the kerb weight is between 1.4 and 1.5 tons depending on the equipment.

Maserati’s chief designer Klaus Busse created a pleasing body shape for the MC20 without frills and without the sometimes very typical spoilers and wings. Instead, special aerodynamic elements on the underbody with the diffuser ensure sufficient downforce. Together with Dallara, the monocoque was developed, which was specifically designed for the use of electric motors and for an upcoming open Spider variant. The engineers spent around 2,000 working hours in Dallara’s wind tunnel to determine the final shape, including all the aerodynamic refinements. They also succeeded in integrating classic details such as the shape of the radiator grille or the flat rear lights, thus making the MC20 part of the model history. For the first time, butterfly doors are used, which open upwards and slightly to the side. A special detail is the rear window, into which air slits are integrated in the rough silhouette of the Maserati trident. Initially, the six paint colors ‘Bianco Audace’ (white), ‘Giallo Genio’ (yellow), ‘Rosso Vincente’ (red), ‘Blu Infinito’ (blue), ‘Grigio Mistero’ (grey) and ‘Nero Enigma’ (black) are available.

Not limited like the MC12 before

Inside, leather and Alcantara are used, whereby the latter allows a view of the blue fabric behind it on the seat center panels and on the door panels via laser cuts. In addition to the 10-inch display behind the steering wheel, the MC20 was equipped with a 10.3-inch touchscreen display in the center of the dashboard and only two classic push buttons and a push/turn control on the center tunnel. This knob is responsible for adjusting the driving modes between ‘Wet’, ‘GT’, ‘Sport’, ‘Corsa’ and ‘ESC off’, but also has a button for the adaptive dampers. This allows the car to be set to the particularly sporty Corsa mode, but at the same time the suspension can be brought back to a softer setting. Steering wheel, center tunnel, doors and shift paddles show bare carbon. The MC20 is also the first car to feature the redesigned Maserati logos and lettering. Compared to the previous ones, these have been slightly modified in letters and the trident, and in the case of the logos, they now appear exclusively in white and dark blue without the previous red. In terms of price, the car is expected to be priced in the range between € 200,000 and € 220,000. More detailed information will follow in the coming months. Orders can already be placed with the responsible Maserati dealers, and the first cars are scheduled to toll off the production line at the end of the year. There is no further information about the announced electric version or the Spider for the time being. While the MC12 of 2004 was limited to 25 and finally 50 cars, there is no limitation for the MC20. From the point of view of performance and construction it is a worthy successor, but it is not a rarity.

Images: Maserati