Has there been any other more overused word than ‘exciting’ when a new supercar is written about? It’s used to describe the drive, the looks, the tech and all that, but if one car truly deserves that then it’s this 2022 Maserati MC20 that’s now in Malaysia.
If the Grecale is testament to Maserati’s foresight getting a slice of the performance SUV pie is a battle worth fighting, especially with plans of an EV version soon then the MC20 tells customers that the devil hasn’t got hold of the trident’s soul just yet.
Maserati comes back fighting
For a first crack at a road-going supercar since the homologation-special MC12, the MC20 is pretty ballsy. It eschews any form of electrification; preferring to use Formula 1 technology on its bespoke Nettuno 3.0-litre V6 engine.
Very good sounds come off this
20-inch wheels are one of the most radically-designed in recent times
Oh, and don’t mention a certain ‘F’ word around it either. Maserati built this engine all by themselves; the first time they've done that in over 20 years. Obviously they’ve got deft hands at it literally, it’s hand-built extracting 630 PS and 730 Nm from the twin-turbocharged mill.
Access different driving modes here, with up to three different suspension settings
Plus it’s an engine so advanced it’s got patents pending for it. Leading that is the Maserati Twin Combustion (MTC) tech that preempts the spark plugs to create a bigger burn, leading to a quicker combustion cycle which in turn helps to lower emissions and improve efficiency.
All this and it only needs RON 95. Where’s your friend who claims his Myvi makes more power with RON 97? Show him this.
Paired to that is a wet-type 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), and with just ‘below 1,500 kg’ to shove, it completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds. Find a runway long enough then to hit its 325 km/h top speed.
Smoothness is the key
No tacked-on canards, winglets, and spoilers here you want your showiness, you get the beautiful pair of butterfly doors yet the smooth bodywork has a drag coefficient of just 0.38 Cd.
Work was not easy; honing the swoopy shape in the wind tunnel took over two thousand many hours and more than a thousand computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.
The MC20 is designed to enable coupé and convertible versions and for full electric power too.
Its cabin is as driver-centric as can be, characterised with very simple designs and minimal distractions. You get two 10-inch screens (one’s the infotainment, the other your digital instrument cluster), a wireless smartphone charger, and a drive mode selector as far as fripperies go.
You can have your MC20 in any colour as long as it's in any of these six exclusive shades: Bianco Audace, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma Grigio Mistero, and this Giallo Genio.
Prices start from RM 1,078,000, and synonymous with cars of this stature it only goes north of that after you add on local taxes and duties, options, and insurance. It being officially backed by Naza Italia means you get 3 years/unlimited mileage warranty; plus a free 3 years/60,000 km free maintenance program.
Keyword: Priced from RM 1m, 630 PS, yet still pumps RON 95 - 2022 Maserati MC20 now in Malaysia