Maserati MC20 – Italian Sophistication

Riley’s Automotive Editor TMA Howe takes a look at the stunning new Maserati MC20,a ‘made in Italy’ gem with a supercar pedigree

Maserati. It’s a name that has evoked high emotions in lovers of luxury cars across the world ever since the famous trident emblem – a symbol of strength and vigour – first fronted these gorgeous machines nearly 100 years ago.

Renowned for its fabulous F1 cars in the 50s, capped by the great Juan Manuel Fangio winning his fifth world championship in a Maserati in 1957, Maserati became known for stylish machines and for taking its rivalry with Ferrarifrom the racetrack to the road.

The list of classics that followed included designer Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ghibli, the unforgettable Bora – the car that sparked my love of Maserati and which even today looks good on the road – and the Quattroporte, which, when launched, was the fastest saloon car in the world.

In recent years, Maserati has launched a number of elegant new models,from the svelte Ghibli to the stylish Levante. Now, following the incredible MC12 from 2004, Maserati have launched the MC20.

The Maserati MC20 – Petrol-fuelled Perfection

The Maserati MC20 – which stands for Maserati Corse (Italian for Racing) 2020 – was revealed to the world on the 9th of September in Modena during the ‘MMXX: Time to be audacious’ event.

This new super sports car combines performance, sportiness and luxury in the unique Maserati style. Using quality materials, maximising all the possibilities of carbon fibre without any sacrifices with regard to comfort, the MC20 is an extremely lightweight car.

It’s engine, Maserati’s first for more than 20 years, produces 630 horsepower from its twin-turbo V6, and will reach 100 km/h in under 2.9 seconds. The Nettuno engine – Nettuno being Italian for Neptune, referring to the Trident emblem synonymous with Maserati – will also be used as the origin engine in the company’s new models to come out of Modena.

he MC20 was designed in Modena and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant, where the Trident’s models have been built for more than 80 years. The graceful design, with echoes the magnificent MC12, was developed following over two thousand man-hours in the company’s wind tunnel.

An Eye On the Future

The butterfly doors are not only striking, but are also a key part of the design, as they improve the car’s ergonomics and enable maximum access to and from the cabin. With an eye on the future, the MC20 is designed to enable coupé and convertible versions, and for full electric power.

The interior of the car is totally driver-centric. All components are essential, and serve to maximise the driver experience. There are two 10 inch screens: one for the fully digitised cockpit and the other for the Maserati Multimedia System (MIA). It will also be the first car equipped with a premium-sound system from Italian firm Sonus Faber.

Minimalism is key with the carbon fibre-clad central console, with just a few features such as the wireless smartphone charger and controls for windows and speed selection buttons. Driving mode can be selected from GT, Wet, Sport, Corsa and a fifth, ESC Off, (which deactivates the control functions). All other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right. They’ve even done away with the rear-view mirror, replacing it with a digital mirror connected to a wide-angle camera.

For the launch, Maserati has also developed six new colours to characterise MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. All have been developed exclusively for the MC20 and  express themes important to Maserati: a reference to the fact the vehicle is ‘Made in Italy’, to Italian identity and to the land, as well as one linked to Maserati tradition.

Whilst 2020 has not been the best of years, Maserati have certainly managed to cheer up many lovers of the automobile such as myself with the launch of the MC20.

You can learn more about the classy Maserati MC20 at www.maserati.com/international/en/models/mc20.

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Maserati enthusiast TMA Howe is Riley’s UK Automotive Editor. Read more about his passion for cars on Riley’s “Possessions” section.