Maserati MC20 test mule teases new Italian supercar

The Maserati MC20 first entered the minds of the South African public when it was spotted arriving in the country late in February 2021, with the Italian marque confirming that it had selected parts of the Northern Cape and other areas to test its latest supercar in hot weather conditions.

With the test mule on a tight schedule, needing to head back to its homeland, we had to schedule a brief encounter with it. The Blu Infinito MC20 development car covered over 10 000km during its time in South Africa as customers both locally and globally await the final development work to be implemented on the car before production units can leave the brand’s new production line at Viale Ciro Menotti.

What is the MC20?

The MC20, which stands for Maserati Corse 2020 (Maserati Racing 2020), is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive supercar with a carbon fibre monocoque, meaning that it competes with products from brands such as McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Aston Martin to name a few.

Virtual development

An interesting fact about the MC20 was that it was almost exclusively developed virtually, with some 97% of the work done to the car completed using Virtual Vehicle Dynamics Development, a mathematical model with every conceivable parameter accounted for. The final development work is being done on the road and track to ensure the car what the engineers envisioned.

Suspension and platform

The MC20 is built on a carbon fibre monocoque, with these tub-style platforms having become increasingly popular in supercars over the past decade thanks to their low weight, incredible strength and indeed, rigidity, which makes them ideal for products focused primarily on performance. The monocoque in the MC20 is co-produced by Dallara, who knows a thing or two about motorsport. The design of the monocoque is said to include the coupe, convertible, and an all-electric version of the MC20.

From a suspension perspective, the front-end features a traditional double-wishbone but with two bottom links and one top link to the strut itself, creating what the brand calls 'virtual steering', a technology we have seen in Alfa Romeo products that ensures more linear-feeling steering. The same virtual steering system is present at the rear of the MC20 too, which the brand claims assists in maintaining a consistent tyre contact patch, producing more predictable handling.

A word from Maserati

Domenico La Marte, General Manager, Maserati Middle East and Africa, said: “We are proud to show the MC20 for the first time in South Africa during very exclusive and private viewing sessions. With the MC20, we inaugurate a new era in the only way we know with audacity, energy and always focusing on our goal to deliver one of the most exclusive experiences to our clients.”

Powertrain

Other big news with the MC20 has to do with its powertrain, which is the first to have been developed and built by the Maserati Engine lab, now independent of Ferrari. The engine, called Nettuno, is a 90° 3.0-litre V6 with two turbochargers, twin-spark-plug design, dry sump lubrication and an impressive redline of 8 000 r/min. The motor, which the brand claims will allow it to return to the world of motorsport, produces a healthy 463kW and 730Nm of torque.

The engine is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox with its clutches bathed in oil. The transmission includes six ‘normal’ gears and two overdrive gears, which Maserati claims is to assist with emissions. Power is sent to the rear wheels, and considering the sub-1 500kg kerb weight, performance is impressive, with 100km/h coming up in a claimed 2.9 seconds, zero to 200km/h in 8.8 seconds and a top speed said to be more than 325km/h.

Reception and arrival date

Production versions of the MC20 are set to arrive locally in the fourth quarter of 2020. Seven units had already been sold at the time of writing.

Pricing

R5 500 000 (approximately)