The rumors had been there all along, but in September 2020, Maserati laid all those rumors to rest when it revealed its first all-new supercar in 15 years. That car named the MC20 understandably generated a sizeable buzz of excitement and the automobile world was keen to see how the model would stack up against the more established supercars from powerhouses like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Porsche.
The details of the MC20 released at launch indicate that this will be no pushover even with the congested market space, and we can’t wait to see the MC20 hit the public roads. Customer deliveries are expected to start later in 2021 with a starting price tag of $210,000.
10 It’s Been A Long Time Coming
The last time we had an all-new supercar from Maserati was in 2004. That car was the Maserati MC12, a bonkers machine based on the Ferrari Enzo and produced mainly to allow a racing variant to participate in the FIA GT Championship. Less than 65 units were built at the time with each one priced at an eye-watering sum just shy of $700,000.
Now, we have the MC20 to drool over, and thankfully, it will cost far less than the MC12. It is also not a limited edition car so more people will get to experience this piece of modern automotive engineering on the public roads.
9 It’s Well Equipped
The MC20 is a proper supercar and the interior layout was carefully planned to give that impression with a minimalist appearance. However, this does not mean the carmaker compromised on the addition of tech gadgetry that should make driving fun and comfortable at the same time.
For example, the MC20 comes with heated front seats and a premium Faber 12-speaker sound system. The steering wheel has Alcantara inserts, enhancing its sporty feel and for safety, you can get features like blind-spot monitoring, a high-end security system, and an Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) system
8 Maserati Sheds Weight
Not every supercar will have the luxury of a monster engine that can churn out a thousand horsepower or more. That’s why total weight is a crucial factor that underscores the car’s performance in the real world. The Maserati MC20 emerges a clear winner here with a total curb weight of just 1,469kg, that’s almost 100kg less than a Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4.
The car currently boasts the best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 2.3kilograms per horsepower. Little wonder then that it can zip to 60mph in 2.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 201mph.
7 The Multiple Driving Modes
The Maserati MC20 comes with 4 driving modes that the driver can engage for a wide range of driving experiences. The GT mode is the default setting with softened suspension, relaxed gear shifts and exhaust valves that only open up at 5,000rpm. You have the WET driving mode for slippery road conditions.
There’s SPORT where things get dialed up a notch and the CORSA mode where the car fully enters race mode. The exhaust valves stay open and maximum boost becomes available. There is an ESC OFF option which is basically Maserati handing over full control of the car.
6 Aerodynamic Design
Maserati put a lot of effort in concealing the gaping holes and gills that have become a staple of modern supercar design. However, this does not make the MC20 any less aerodynamic. The car is essentially built around a monocoque carbon-fiber tub that was jointly developed by Maserati and Dallara.
The designers spent more than 2,000 hours in Dallara’s wind tunnel fine-tuning the design for the best aerodynamic effect. It looks like the effort was well worth it but the final verdict will surely come after the car is unleashed in real-world situations.
5 There's A New Engine For The MC20
This time, Maserati is not just lifting a Ferrari engine to dump in its car though there are still certain similarities. The twin-turbocharged powerplant was mostly designed in-house and does make use of some revolutionary technology to squeeze out 621hp and 538 pound-feet of torque from 6 cylinders.
The engine, christened ‘Nettuno’ borrows from Formula 1 technology and features among other things, a pre-chamber combustion system with twin-spark plugs, making MC20 the first road-legal car in the world to feature this technology. You can expect to see this engine in future Maserati projects.
4 Six Exclusive Color Options
In a sea of supercar offerings, one of the ways Maserati is making their newest baby stand out is the use of six exclusive color options that will be made available to customers. The colors are Bianco Audace (the launch color, a yellowish white), Giallo Genio (dark blue and yellow), Rosso Vincente (red), Blu Infinito (bright blue), Nero Enigma (black), and Grigio Mistero (dark gray).
However, regardless of color choice, the roof will remain black which should make for a pretty interesting combination.
3 The Story Behind The Name
Maserati were quite deliberate with the naming of their supercar and is just more than a mere combination of alphabets and numbers. The MC20 designation underlines the sporting credentials of the supercar and the intentions of Maserati that inspired the car’s creation.
MC is an abbreviation for Maserati Corse and 20 refers to the current year 2020. It is meant to celebrate the fact that the Maserati brand is making a return to racing and also highlight the year as the beginning of a new phase in the Italian carmaker’s history.
2 The MC20 Has Racing Intentions
The first racing car to wear the famous Maserati Trident logo was the Tipo 26 back in 1926. Now, the Maserati MC20 is set to continue that legacy with a planned racing variant that will usher in a new era of Maserati in racing competitions.
The specifications of this supposedly track weapon is not known yet. Maserati only unveiled the street-legal MC20 but judging by what was revealed, you can expect the car to throw up a very stiff challenge to current participants in the competitions where it will participate.
1 The Gasoline MC20 Is Just The Beginning
The beautiful MC20 is just the start of a new era in Maserati’s history and it is hoped that the car will breath much-needed life into the ailing company. The Nettuno engine runs on gasoline but Maserati have also announced that there will be an all-electric variant that will follow.
The car represents the tip of a new strategy that should see the introduction of 13 new cars from now through 2024. The upcoming cars will be a mix of gasoline and electric cars in order to capture a wider market and hopefully, reestablish the brand as a renowned force in the automobile space.