The latest Maserati sports car embodies a new direction for the brand.
On Sept. 9th, Maserati unveiled the MC20 sports car in Modena, Italy, broadcasting the world debut via the Internet to enthusiasts around the globe. The 621-hp successor to the MC12 boasts a 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of 325 km/hr.
“The MC20 marks the beginning of a new era for Maserati,” Karl DeBoer, Maserati MC20 Brand Manager told Autosphere Mag. “This MC20 super sports car is the embodiment of a new design language for Maserati.”
A key ingredient to the MC20’s personality is a new V6 powerplant, designed in-house. “It was important for Maserati to return to producing its own engines so that the MC20 could be 100% produced at the historic Modena, Italy plant,” DeBoer added. “The factory has been modernized so these vehicles can be hand-built in this location. We added engine assembly and painting facilities specifically for the MC20.”
The 3-litre, 6-cylinder twin-turbo features a unique pre-chamber combustion system with twin-spark plugs. This technology, Maserati says, is derived from Formula 1 and is now available, for the first time, in a vehicle destined for the road. The MC20 will be the first Maserati to adopt the new engine.
Demanding buyers
Maserati believes their new sports car will appeal to drivers with a refined taste. “The typical buyer for the Maserati MC20 supersport car is someone who appreciates the combination of fine design and pure clean lines combined with high-performance,” DeBoer said. “That combination of luxury and performance and sportiness that Maserati is known for.”
He added that luxury super sports car buyers are predominantly male in their 50s, live in metropolitan cities or suburban communities and own four or more vehicles. That’s the demographic Maserati is after.
The MC20 prototype is currently on tour across North America, with stops in Canada as well. Following the main unveiling event in Italy, Maserati held media previews in New York City and Tokyo. The prototype then travelled to Montreal and Toronto in mid-September for a series of private previews with customers at dealerships.
“Our dealers are hosting small customer previews with target prospects,” DeBoer said. “Observing local COVID restrictions, our dealers are inviting small groups to either their dealerships or private locations to preview the MC20 prototype.”
Advanced design
The MC20 not only looks futuristic—it’s also packed with technologies that prepare it for the future, including a fully digitized interior. Maserati says the MC20 was designed to enable coupé and convertible versions, and for full-electric power.
And when it hits the road, the MC20 will be connected at all times via the Maserati Connect program, which means that a full range of services will be available including connected navigation, Alexa and a Wifi Hotspot.
Dealers are already taking orders in Canada and around the world (they started taking orders in September after the unveil). Deliveries for the CDN $249,990 sports car are scheduled for the fall of 2021, as 2022 model year vehicles.
