MASERATI MC20 AT NAPLETON MASERATI OF DOWNERS GROVE

HOW DOES THE MASERATI MC20 LOOK?

Start with a carbon-fiber monocoque structure with aluminum subframes from Dallara. Long known for their Indy Car and IMSA racers, Dallara has designed the Haas Formula 1 team cars since 2016. The design is lightweight but intensely strong, which is exactly what gives the MC20 such impressive performance.

The new MC20 wouldn’t be a Maserati without the open grille and Trident logo displayed prominently. New LED headlamps help define the front wings (fenders), lending an aggressive look. Further back, hood vents are designed to release the high pressure that gets trapped underneath the frunk.

Butterfly doors open to greet the MC20’s driver and passenger, which is quite appropriate since the cockpit has a cocoon-like feeling about it. Under the grille, a carbon-fiber front splitter keeps the front tires planted. At the rear, an upturned rear spoiler provides downforce for increased traction. Air intakes are located on the Maserati’s “shoulders” to cool the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. And that exhaust note. Sounding like the car is rounding the Parabolica turn at Imola, it is pure intoxication. Need we say more?

WHAT MOVES THE MC20?

The Maserati MC20 is powered by a 90-degree twin-turbocharged V6 engine with a dry-sump oil system. Part of the Nettuno (Neptune in Italian) family of engines, it uses Formula 1 technology with a twin-combustion system. The result is more fuel efficiency and acceleration. Using ignition pre-chambers and high-pressure fuel injection enables this engine to make 621 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. That makes it the most powerful six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine in production.

The power from the Nettuno is sent to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A driver can blip through the gears using two paddle-shift levers to find the optimal gears necessary for a run-up and down the Autostrada. Flip into Corsa (race) mode for a zero-to-60 mph time of 2.9-seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. And when you have had enough of those triple-digit hops, be sure to stand on the MC20’s Italian-designed Brembo brakes to bring it back under control.

As designed, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is an impressive engine inside a more impressive vehicle. But the Trident team is just settling in. An electric version of the MC20 is scheduled with all-wheel drive in the not too distant future. Details are yet to be announced, but it will be a Maserati first.

AND INSIDE?

The interior of the new Maserati MC20 features a spartan business-like interior with only the most essential controls on the center console. The sport seating is covered in black leather with contrast-blue stitching. Elsewhere, carbon-fiber trim and aluminum pedals get the party started. Rearward visibility is challenging, especially when it’s a low-riding vehicle with an engine behind you. Maserati figured out a workaround with a digital rearview mirror and rear-facing camera. It’s similar to systems found in many other new vehicles this year.

LET’S BE SAFE OUT THERE.

The new Maserati MC20 will include the latest in safety and security features. Expect standard safety items like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, available adaptive cruise control and standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. They will all be included to provide the peace of mind you deserve while driving your new Maserati MC20.