MASERATI has entered a new era with the launch of its MC20 super sports car, a vehicle that combines performance, sportiness and luxury, with the new vehicle launched in the early hours of this morning.
Revealed under the banner of ‘MMXX: Time to be audacious’, the new MC20 (MC for Maserati Corse and 20 for 2020, the year of its world première and the start of the Brand’s new era) is the Maserati everyone has been waiting for.
Designed with incredible aerodynamic efficiency, and a sporty soul, the MC20 is powered by the Nettuno engine; a 470kW V6, pushing out 730Nm of torque. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in under 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 325km/h.
The power plant marks Maserati’s return to producing its own engines after a hiatus of more than 20 years. It employs MTC (Maserati twin combustion) technology, with the new motor recognised as a technological gem.
With a kerb weight under 1,500kg, the MC20 features a best in class power to weight ratio, thanks to the use of carbon fibre. It was designed and produced in 24 months, through an innovative approach involving engineers and technical specialists.
The Virtual Vehicle Dynamics Development system, which includes the use of one of the world’s most advanced dynamic simulators, was developed in-house by the Maserati Innovation Lab and is based on a complex mathematical model called Virtual Car.
This method allowed performance of 97% of dynamic tests, optimising development times. The car was then fine-tuned in the best Maserati tradition with exhaustive track and road test-driving sessions in the most widely varying conditions of use.
The guiding theme of the MC20’S design was the brand’s historic identity, with all the elegance, performance and comfort integral to its genetic make-up. The focus on performance led to the conception of a car with a distinct personality.
The butterfly doors are not only stunningly beautiful but also functional, as they improve the car’s ergonomics and enable optimal access to and from the cabin. The aerodynamics were designed through over two thousand man-hours in the Dallara wind tunnel.
The resulting car has a sleek line, with no mobile appendages but just a discreet rear spoiler that improves down force without detracting from the MC20’s beauty. It has been designed to enable coupé and convertible versions and for full electric power.
Once inside the cabin, the driver is always central, and nothing must distract them from the sporting driving experience. Every component has a purpose and is completely driver-oriented. Simple forms, very few sharp edges and minimal distractions.
Two 10-inch screens: one for the cockpit and the other for the Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC Plus MIA) feature. Simplicity is also the keynote of the carbon fibre-clad central console, with just a few features.
These inclue a wireless smartphone charger, the driving mode selector (GT, Wet, Sport, Corsa and a fifth, ESC Off, which deactivates the control functions), two speed selection buttons, the power window and multimedia system controls, and some storage.
All the other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right. The new MC20 will be connected at all times with the Maserati Connect program.
The full range of services includes connected navigation, Alexa and a Wifi hot spot, and can also be managed through the Maserati Connect smartphone or smartwatch App.
For the launch, Maserati has also developed six new colours to characterise the MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero.
Each of them has been conceived, designed and developed exclusively for this car and they all convey important themes; a strong reference to Made in Italy, to Italian identity and to the land, as well as one linked to Maserati tradition.
Both visually and conceptually, there are strong references to the MC12, the car that marked Maserati’s racing comeback in 2004. In the same way as its predecessor, the MC20 announces the brand’s intention to return to the world of racing.
The production launch is scheduled for the end the current year with orders to be accepted from today. Further detail and pricing will be available closer to production launch.
