It is 15 years since production of the MC12 ended and now Maserati is back with a new super sports car, the MC20. The bold design is the work of Centro Stile Maserati in Turin, and the company are particularly proud of the fact that production will also take place in Modena.
The heart of the new car is the ‘Nettuno’ engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 621bhp and 730Nm of torque. The first product of the Maserati Engine Lab, it also marks more than 20 years since the company produced its own engines.
A key feature is the Maserati Twin Combustion Technology, which uses both direct and indirect fuel injection, and driving the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission the result is 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and a 203mph maximum.
A limited-slip differential is standard with an electronic diff optional, while the MC20 uses forged aluminium double wishbone suspension. An optional nose-lift system raises the front of the car by 50mm at speeds of up to 25mph. Braking is by Brembo ventilated discs with six-piston calipers up front and four-pot items at the rear.
There are also five driver-selectable modes – GT is the default setting, rising through Wet, Sport, and Corsa which is the most extreme and adopts race settings for the gearshift, suspension and traction control. The final setting is ESC off which switches out the electronic driver aids.
Constructed around a carbon-fibre monocoque, Maserati say the structure allows for coupe, convertible and fully electric versions of the MC20.
Optimised aerodynamics involving the likes of front vortex generators and a large rear diffuser means the bodywork is free of the usual spoilers and wings. Six special paintwork colours have been chosen, with the launch shade of Bianco Audace joined by Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero.
Entry to the cabin is via butterfly doors, while the dashboard contains a pair of 10-inch screens – one for the instruments and the other for the Maserati Multimedia System, the latter including Maserati Connect which boasts connected navigation, Alexa and a wi-fi hotspot and which can also be managed through a smartphone or smartwatch App. There are also carbon-fibre seats and a digital rear-view mirror.
The MC20 will be built in Modena at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant, previously used for producing the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models. Priced from £187,230 lucky buyers should get their hands on one in the second quarter of 2021.
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