Maserati MC20, the test drive

Maserati MC20

Supercar on the track, Gran Turismo on the road: the Maserati MC20 amazes with its excellent combination of high performance and comfort like a grand tourer

The Maserati MC20 is a supercar. To certify it is its new Neptune engine. It is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo with 6 90 ° V-shaped cylinders, with a dry sump capable of delivering 630 horsepower at 7500 rpm and an impressive 730 Newton per meter of torque starting at 3000 rpm. We are talking about a “Made in Modena” engine, which brings the traditional 90 ° V6 to levels of power and torque never reached before. This is thanks to the innovative pre-chamber combustion system with double spark plug. A technology so far developed only for Formula 1.

Maserati Neptune engine Numbers which, translated on the track, offer acceleration from 0-100 kilometers per hour in 2.88 seconds and a top speed of 326 kilometers per hour 'Now . Be careful, however, to get the wrong idea. Maserati MC20 definitely has the appearance and features of a supercar: its performance testifies to this. But it has grand touring driveability. The credit is also due to the 5 different driving modes.

A supercar born for the circuit

Wet, GT, Sport, Corsa and Esc Off: the driving modes are selected by turning the selector placed in the center of the tunnel for a few seconds. On the most tortuous circuit of the Modena Autodrome I made my debut in Sport mode, the red one. Normal engine boost, high pedal sensitivity, fast and direct shifting, but above all rigid suspension.

After the first warm-up lap, with a 2 second pressure of the selector I entered the yellow racing mode. The gates of fun are open. Traction control is much less active. Stability is still active, but with much higher thresholds. The maximum power of the engine is immediately available and its sound becomes decidedly feline. To understand how far it is possible to go on the track with the Maserati MC20, I asked for the contribution of a professional: Andrea Bertolini, Maserati driver.

Central selector of the 5 driving modes Thanks to him we tried the orange Esc Off mode where all controls are disabled. It is similar to the Corsa mode, but with the traction control completely disabled. A single lap of the track so as not to excessively wear out the Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires, designed specifically for the extraordinary characteristics of this new car. Two thousand and sixty-eight meters (the maximum length of the circuit) of pure pleasure between drift, braking to the last millimeter and thrilling speed.

GT, the driving mode for the city

Se Maserati MC20 offers its best on the track in terms of performance, while in the city it is the driving comfort that amazes. The supercar starts in the default GT mode: its color is blue, like the infinite blue of the bodywork. Ideal for everyday driving, the gearbox setting becomes slower and smoother. The suspension is soft and the exhaust valves only activate above 5,000 rpm. All this makes the Maserati MC20 a very pleasant car to drive, of course, but also to admire.

But the supercar produced in Modena, in the historic plant in Viale Ciro Menotti, is always ready to give more. On the hills of the Emilian Apennines, it is enough to stiffen the suspension, without touching the engine, to have fun like children at the Luna Park. All in complete safety. Maserati MC20 is very fast, but it is on the hairpin bends and chicanes that it gives its best.

The interiors of the Maserati MC20 The credit is due to the suspension with overlapping triangles with a virtual steering axis that allows you to keep the footprint of the tires constant when cornering. This guarantees high lateral acceleration and always natural and instinctive driving in any situation and speed. Completing the circle is the 8-speed oil-bath Dual Clutch automatic transmission: 6 power gears and two overdrive gears to allow for the right emissions.

As intuitive as a racing car

The cockpit of the MC20 is accessed through the two butterfly doors. Open they remind the very rare blue Morpho butterfly. Thanks to the 4.67 meters in length, even the interior spaces are hospitable. Everything inside is essential, functional and rational. Just like a supercar must be, a car that, under certain conditions, needs the utmost attention from the driver. A minimalist allure with two 10-inch screens for the cockpit and the Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC Plus MIA) in a central position, slightly inclined towards the driver.

The two digital screens of the Maserati MC20 The tunnel is very simple, without any superfluous decoration except carbon fiber and Alcantara. Only the driving mode selector, two buttons for the gears, the windows, the infotainment volume control and a support surface with wireless charger for mobile phones are present. Well-defined tactile structures whose position is easy to memorize so as not to have to look every time. The other controls are on the multifunction steering wheel with the power button on the left and the launch control on the right.

Maserati MC20 is a connected car

Even supercars can no longer do without to be smart and their nerd gentleman drivers. Its being constantly connected, allows the lucky owner to always keep an eye on the state of the car's health. The Maserati Connect app, in fact, was created to promptly inform the driver when it is time to do routine maintenance. Its benefits also touch on safety. The app, in fact, also works as emergency assistance and warns in case of theft.

The remote control of the Maserati MC20 can certainly be done from the smartphone, but also from the various home virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assist. On board, on the other hand, thanks to the MIA (Maserati Intelligent Assistant) multimedia system, you have the latest traffic information in real time, and always updated maps. MIA also allows you to activate Amazon Alexa or Wifi Hotspot services in the car.

In the city center with the Maserati MC20 Connectivity that significantly increases comfort thanks to an advanced sound. The MC20 under test is equipped with a sound system, Made in Italy, Sonus Faber with 12 speakers of high quality. A valuable option that, combined with the Tidal streaming service, gives the two lucky Maserati MC20 guests the best sound quality currently available.

The highlights of the Maserati MC20

To fully understand all strengths of Maserati MC20 an article is not enough. It is really necessary to try it. It starts from the small details that the car can be enriched with thanks to the Maserati Fuoriserie customization service to arrive at the digital rear-view mirror without a frame, or again, the shape of the trident carved into the transparent panel to protect the engine.

You slip into the passenger compartment like in a pair of comfortable slippers. Set up the car according to your preferences and destinations. Even the sound is just what you want with the custom playlist by Tidal. I emphasize that with this supercar it is better to travel than to arrive at your destination. Its comfort and its aggressiveness on the road are immediately addictive.

Maserati MC20 At night, the apexes of the track as well as the long bends of the hill emerge with a vividness of augmented reality. On the track you get the feeling that the more you press the accelerator, the more grip the car increases. There are no obstacles or sudden dangers to not being able to remedy because it is enough to press the brake to make the four Brembo carbon ceramic intervene. The seat studied by Maserati together with Sabelt is comfortable, and at the same time is capable of eliminating lateral acceleration.

And what about fuel consumption? In the combined cycle they stop at 11.5 liters per hundred kilometers while CO2 emissions reach 261 grams per kilometer. We are still talking about a supercar although consumption is also calmed by the lightness of the car which stops at 1475 kilograms. Maserati MC20 is a dream come true starting from 216,320 euros.


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