New Maserati MC20 supercar set to defeat Italian rivals – Robb Report

Founded just months after the start of World War I in 1914, Maserati fought fiercely against the relative laggards Ferrari (1947) and Lamborghini (’63) for the prominence of Italian sport-luxury despite several lost decades of mismanagement. and financial hardship. And the Bologna-based brand still has plenty of battles: witness the launch of the 630bhp MC20, its first supercar in nearly two decades, as the pandemic was in full swing, inuspicious circumstances that actually allowed gearboxes to become obsessed.

The mid-engined MC20 takes over from the MC12, one of the most sought-after Maseratis of the modern era, which sent the brand back to racing in 2004 – the ‘MC’ stands for ‘Maserati Corse’, the sports division. brand automobile. —And its carbon fiber monocoque chassis was built in collaboration with racing car specialist Dallara. With a refined aesthetic born from more than 2,000 hours of wind tunnel testing and more than 1,000 fluid-dynamic simulations, the bodywork suggests a stone sculpted by the flow of the elements. The subtle styling continues with the vents on the hood and sidewalls, which almost disappear depending on your field of vision.

Design manager Klaus Busse said his team was looking for “pure design, not cars designed around air intakes.” The interior features an equally clean layout, with a streamlined cockpit that places most of the driver’s functions on the steering wheel. Only a few controls, including the drive mode selector – Wet, GT, Sport and Corsa – and the 10-inch dual touchscreen infotainment system, are found on the center console.

The sharper side of the coupe is reflected along the bottom of the exterior, with sharper angles and aerodynamic elements such as the channeled diffuser for increased downforce – and, of course, those gullwing doors. Most notable, however, is the new Nettuno 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, with 538 lb-ft of torque. Its Formula 1-derived, two-spark pre-chamber combustion system delivers faster and cleaner combustion and is touted as a first for a road-approved car. The engine, developed in-house, is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

This powerful, high-tech mill and the vehicle’s curb weight of 3,306 pounds allow the rear-wheel drive machine to reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 202 mph. Those stats put the MC20 alongside some of the latest offerings from rivals in Maranello and Sant’Agata Bolognese, as does its starting price of $ 210,000.

And if you’re taking on some of the biggest names in the category, such impressive numbers don’t just look good, they are necessary. Andy Love, brand and sales director for Maserati North America, believes the MC20 will “re-establish Maserati in the mid-engined super sports car segment” and calls the car “an important and fundamental step in the creation of the future of our brand. ”It sets a big scene, but at least the light, sculpted weight seems more than ready to go against each other. Prancing horses and raging bulls, be warned.

Check out more photos of the MC20 below: