Founded just a few months after the start of the First World War in 1914, Maserati has been fighting bravely against the stragglers Ferrari (1947) and Lamborghini (’63) for the prominence of Italian sports luxury, despite several lost decades of mismanagement and financial difficulties. And the Bologna-based brand still has a lot of struggle: see the launch of the 630 hp MC20, its first supercar in almost two decades, while the pandemic was in full swing, unfavorable circumstances that really allowed reducers more opportunities for obsession.
The mid-engined MC20 takes on the mantle of the MC12, one of the most sought-after Maseratis of the modern era, which returned the brand to racing in 2004 – the “MC” stands for “Maserati Corse”, the brand’s motoring division – and its monocoque chassis carbon fiber was built in collaboration with race car specialist Dallara. With an elegant aesthetic born out of more than 2,000 hours of wind tunnel tests and more than 1,000 fluid dynamics simulations, the body suggests a stone sculpted by the flow of the elements. The subtle style continues with the openings in the hood and flanks, which almost disappear depending on your line of sight.
Design chief Klaus Busse says his team was after “pure design, not cars designed around the air intakes”. The interior features an equally clean edition, with an aerodynamic cockpit that puts most of the driver’s functions on the steering wheel. Only a handful of controls, including the selector for driving modes – Wet, GT, Sport and Corsa – and the infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen, are on the center console.
The powerful rear-wheel drive machine can reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
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The bolder side of the coupe is reflected along the bottom of the exterior, with more pronounced angles and aerodynamic elements, such as the channeled diffuser for greater downforce – and, of course, those butterfly doors. Most noteworthy, however, is the new 3.0-liter Nettuno V-6 biturbo, with 538 ft lbs of torque. Its pre-chamber combustion system with two candles derived from Formula 1 provides faster and cleaner burning and is presented as the first for a street car. The engine, developed internally, is coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
This powerful, high-tech mill and the 3,306-pound vehicle’s curb weight allows the rear-wheel drive to reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 202 mph. These statistics put the MC20 alongside some of its rivals’ latest offers in Maranello and Sant’Agata Bolognese, as well as its starting price of $ 210,000.
And if you are after some of the biggest names in the category, these impressive numbers are not only pleasing – they are necessary. Andy Love, Maserati North America brand and sales director, thinks the MC20 “will reinstate Maserati in the mid-engined super sports car segment” and calls the car “an important and fundamental step in creating the future of our brand . ” This is creating a great stage, but at least the light and sculpted one looks more than ready to face. Rearing horses and angry bulls, stay tuned.
Check out more photos of the MC20 below:
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