Maserati has decided to go against the grain entirely by marking a “new era” – the company's words, not ours – not with a mass market SUV, but with a very-not-mass-market 614bhp mid-engined supercar called the MC20. It’s the company’s first mid-engined model since the very beautiful but largely forgotten Merak SS in 1972. That was a 2+2 though, while this is a proper two-seat supercar.
It’s also the replacement for the MC12, technically, although that was a very limited production (just 50 made) and wasn’t really a Maserati – it was built on the chassis of the Enzo Ferrari and specifically as a homologation model so that Maserati could compete in the FIA GT Championship.
That was 2004. Fast forward to today and some corporate moving and shaking means Maserati has nowt to do with Ferrari now, because Ferrari separated from owner Fiat-Chrysler (FCA), and has since merged with Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) to form a massive automotive conglomerate called, for some reason, Stellantis. Which also owns Vauxhall. So, in theory, you’re more likely to find the indicator stalk from a Vauxhall Corsa in your future Maserati than you are a Ferrari V8.
We’re digressing. Basically, Maserati is no longer the ‘junior Ferrari’ sort of brand that you may have (rightly or wrongly) considered it. It’s now the flagship of a multi-brand corporation, and the MC20 is here is its way of showing the world that.
It’s powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 614bhp and its own name: Nettuno. Uh huh. It basically means Neptune, as in the Roman god of the sea. Epic. It has 614bhp and 730Nm, sending power to the rears through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and pushing the car to 62mph in 2.9 seconds. It will get to 124mph in just 8.8 seconds and top out north of 200mph.
The engine also happens to be Maserati’s first all-new in-house block for two decades and it utilises actual Formula One technology, namely a “pre-combustion” system that ensures the leanest possible burn for the fuel to improve fuel efficiency and responsiveness.
The car itself is built around a carbon fibre tub, a la the McLaren stuff with which it will be vying for buyer attention, and the bodywork is so aerodynamic that it will generate 100Kg of downforce at 150mph. In other words, the air flowing over the car at that speed is pushing the car into the ground to the tune of having a heavyweight boxer stood on top of it. The underbody is completely flat too, which is a first for a proper production Maserati – not one based on a Ferrari, that is.
The bodywork, much of which is made from carbon fibre and aluminium, ensures that the kerb weight stays below 1500Kg, which is remarkably light for a modern sports car – and that’s despite a set of complicated butterfly doors.
The cabin, then. No Corsa switchgear, but if you look closely enough you’ll see Alfa Romeo stuff in parts (the switch for the driving modes, for instance) but it would be nit-picky to criticise Maserati for that. It was ever thus: the Gran Turismo featured an entire infotainment button cluster lifted from a Peugeot 308. The MC20 has a stunning Alcantara and leather swathed interior, including a carbon fibre centre console and a central screen that’s small by modern standards but gives the car a minimalist look.
This is only the beginning for the MC20, too. There are plug-in hybrid and full electric versions in the works, the latter due in 2022 and powered by a tri-motor setup that Maserati claims will have even more power, and be even quicker, than this V6 version.
For now though, if you want one of these you’ll have to make do with burning fossil fuels, and you’ll have to fork out about £185,000 for the privilege. That’s a few quid cheaper than the Ferrari F8 Tributo (£210,000) and about on par with the McLaren 600LT, at £190,000. Order one now, if you like.
Keyword: Maserati starts ‘new era’ with MC20 mid-engined supercar