Maserati MC20
The premiere of the Maserati MC20 was an emotional moment. The car symbolizes a step into a new promising future of the brand from Modena. The vehicle shows the design language the future models will follow. Something that is maybe even more important is that the MC20 debuts with a completely new heart. Maserati is famous for manufacturing many incredibly successful and technologically ground-breaking engines but in recent years all Maseratis have been powered by units rented from other manufacturers. Now that’s supposed to change!
When I first saw the MC20 live, it surprised me how big it is. While looking at the first photos, I assumed that it would somehow be comparable to the Alfa Romeo 4C. I was so wrong! Despite having a few common interior elements with the current Alfas, the MC20 is targeting much more serious players on the market. It’s a true supercar which will fight for the hearts of enthusiasts with the machines from Maranello or Woking.
Fast car requires a fast photo session? No! There is a lot to admire in the shape of the new Maserati. The unique lines drawn by Klaus Busse require special treatment. That’s why I chose to shoot all the photos for this article on film with a classic manual-focus camera. I believe it was a good decision.
The construction of the MC20 is based on a carbon fibre monocoque. The stiffness of the chassis is guaranteed. Very characteristic feature of the design are the doors, which open upwards. Maserati explains that this solution was not chosen because of style but because of aerodynamics. A closer inspection of the thick door reveals a very advanced air channel, which is part of the complex aerodynamic solution responsible for delivering the required downforce. Thanks to moving the air flow inside and under the body, the shape of the car could have been kept clean and sleek.
The vast cut-outs in the monocoque, behind the front wheels, look very original but are also welcomed by anyone willing to take a seat inside. Thanks to them, getting into the MC20 is surprisingly easy. Would it be possible to treat the new Maserati as a daily? You’ll find out when I come to the description of the engine and driving modes.
Yes, the engine! A completely new construction designed and built entirely by Maserati. 3 litre V6 with a power output of 630 HP. The signature feature of the Nettuno, as the engine is called, are the preignition chambers. A solution used before only in racing engines. It provides great performance at the very high end of the engine rev range but would make a road-going car a nightmare to drive in daily traffic. To mitigate this issue, the Nettuno is also featured with a second, more conventional ignition system. The switch between them is a function of engine revs, load, and other parameters. The purpose of this solution was to give the engine two faces – a true racer and a well-behaved daily.
Before jumping behind the wheel of this machine, I asked some vital questions of Michał Streer – a professional racing instructor and rally driver. How far can I go with the settings? Should I be especially aware of something while driving? Thanks to his recommendations, I knew how not to put myself and the car in any uncomfortable situation.
I began my journey very gently. The car always starts in the GT mode. Reactions to the throttle pedal are gentle, and the gearbox is taking care of a comfortable driving experience. If not for the compromised visibility, one could think that this is a typical city compact car.
The situation changes after switching the driving mode to Sport. The car becomes much livelier, the engine revs happily, but the gearbox keeps some dignity. This mode seems to be the right one for daily driving. There is no doubt that you sit behind the steering wheel of a supercar, but still, comfort is very good, and keeping up with the traffic is possible.
The next step is the Corsa mode. Here the MC20 starts to show its true racing character. Now the gearbox has only one priority: changing the gear as fast as possible. If the driver’s head hits the headrest heavily during the process, it doesn’t matter. Only speed matters. Despite the brutal reactions to the driver’s inputs, the car is still safe to drive – electronic systems will allow the driver to have lots of fun, but will react if the integrity of the vehicle and its surroundings is under threat. There are modes that completely switch off the electronic assistants, but their use on the road is not the best idea. How does the car behave on track when completely unleashed? I can only rely on Michał’s impressions.
Is it possible to integrate two personalities into one car? A brutal racer and a calm, reliable friend? Before driving the MC20 I thought that no. But now I must review my opinions. Thanks to very advanced technologies and the integration of two ignition systems in the new Nettuno engine, this car can fit perfectly into many specialized situations without sacrificing usability in others. The day with the Maserati MC20 is the one to remember.
