Maserati returns to the supercar sector with the MC20. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The MC20 is everything you might want a Maserati sports car to be - fast, grand and gorgeous. Everything's been developed from scratch, including the engine, and there's a choice of coupe or convertible body styles. Both with plenty of 'want one' factor.

Background

A Maserati supercar. It's been a while since we had one of those. In fact, it's been a while since we had a new Maserati sports car of any kind, but this model, the MC20, puts that right, the first mid-engined Maserati in a generation. Let's start with the name. The 'M' stands for 'Maserati', the 'C' for 'Corsa' [Italian for 'racing']; '20' designates the year of model unveiling - which you might not have guessed because this car's most direct predecessor, the low volume MC12, was unveiled back in 2004. Yes, it's been that long since Maserati has had a contender in the Ferrari segment. Perhaps that partly has something to do with the brand's previously close ties with Ferrari, which often left it reticent to step on Maranello's toes. But with the switch of Maserati ownership to the sprawling Stellantis Group in 2021, those ties have been severed: Maserati's no longer deferential to Ferrari; it wants to beat Enzo's brand on its own terms, a quest that starts right here with this car, offered in both this coupe form and as a glass-topped Spyder model.

Driving Experience

As you set off, there's a satisfying exhaust crackle from the twin turbocharged V6 behind your head. Maserati engines are no longer sourced from previous partner Ferrari. This one, a 3.0-litre powerplant known as 'Nettuno' (Italian for 'Neptune') was entirely developed in-house and puts out 630hp to the rear wheels via an 8-speed auto gearbox borrowed from the current Chevrolet Corvette. You select gears via huge shift paddles off the steering wheel and a rotary controller offers four drive modes - 'Wet', 'GT', 'Sport' and 'Corsa' [which is the race mode]. Two levels of damper stiffness feature in each of the drive setting. Helped by launch control, the MC20 is brutally quick off the line, dispatching 62mph in just 2.9 seconds. 124mph passes in just 9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 203mph. Whether you'll like the dramatic orchestral accompaniment as you go quite as much might depend on how much of a Maserati loyalist you are. The elegant roar of the brand's past normally aspirated powertrains is replaced here by an altogether different melody of turbocharged whooshes and guttural barks. Which is all very supercar-like, but Maserati says that its also developed this car for everyday driving and the supple quality of ride really reflects that; you can enjoy this car as much on a long distance GT trip as on your favourite winding back road. Even more pleasingly, this car stops as it goes thanks to standard carbon ceramic discs - 330mm at the front and 350mm at the rear - which work with calipers that have 6-pistons at the front and 4 at the rear. Through the turns, the MC20 loves to change direction - like a shark turning towards a meal, but without the track refugee nervousness that you might get in a rival McLaren or Lamborghini of this kind. It's just everyday more usable. Despite quite a prodigious kerb weight of well over one and a half tonnes, the Italian maker's really nailed this, with traction through the turns aided by a mechanical limited slip differential you can, on request, swap out for an even faster-reacting electric system.

Design and Build

There are two body styles available - the Coupe and the Cielo Spyder model. Either way, this is one of those cars that looks better the longer you stare at it. It's certainly striking and brand enthusiasts will note cues to Maserati's of the past; touches like the low-set grille and the chromed Trident symbol. Beneath the skin, carbon fibre and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic panels shroud an advanced monocoque fashioned from, you've guessed it, carbon fibre. Plus there are aluminium subframes at either end. To get in, you pull on the butterfly doors which arch up, leaving a wide entry aperture to gain entry to the dark trimmed cabin. There's a minimalist vibe, with very little switchgear on the narrow centre tunnel. You get a couple of high-res displays, one for the instruments and another for infotainment functions. And neat touches include a rear view mirror that projects real-time video provided by camera situated on the boot lid. The carbon fibre-backed Sabelt seats are low-set and of the race variety but they feature powered adjustment and lots of lateral support. There are no token rear chairs but even so, luggage space is at a premium; there's 100-litres in the back and another 50-litres in a recess up front.

Market and Model

At the time of this test in Spring 2024, Maserati was asking just over £227,000 for the MC20 coupe, but most owners will be spending close to £250,000 once they've specced up their cars to taste. The alternative MC20 Spyder open top model listed from about £252,000 at the time of our review, so quite a few of those will leave the showroom specced to over £300,000 too. Maserati is also preparing to launch a full-electric MC20 model, the MC20 Folgore, which will probably be just as fast as the combustion version. But would you really want to do without that signature V6 Nettuno roar? We wouldn't. Standard features include 20-inch 'Birdcage gloss dark miron design' alloy wheels fitted out with black calipers and a carbon ceramic braking set-up. And you can tick off full-LED headlights, all-round parking sensors, keyless entry, a rear-view camera and LED tail lamps. Owners also get 10 years use of the Maserati Connect app, which allows you to control vehicle status functions and get alerts on your smartphone or smart watch, plus it will help you find the car if you've forgotten where you parked it. Maserati includes an indoor car cover and a battery charger too. And there's an alarm, but the brand unfortunately doesn't include the vehicle tracking system that an exotic sportscar of this kind really ought to have. If you're urban-based (or even if you're not), we'd suggest you consider paying extra for the suspension lift system, which helps when ground clearance is needed - for example to cross over speed humps. With this, you just press a button to lift the front axle by 50mm. The system works at speeds up to 25mph. If faster, it automatically returns to the normal ride height. You'll also want to trim out the interior to your taste; there's a choice of the finest leather, Alcantara and carbon fibre. And you can have what Maserati describes as 'the best sound made in Italy', courtesy of the optional Sonus faber High-Premium Audio System.

Cost of Ownership

A full-electric MC20 is under development, but if you've an ounce of petrol flowing through your veins, you're going to want the V6 turbo version. And you're going to have to pay for the pleasure at the pumps of course. Maserati quotes a combined cycle figure of 24.6mpg for the coupe - and a lowest figure of just 13.6mpg - which you'll probably be lucky to hit if you're using the car on track. It's 24.1mpg for the Spyder version. If you don't drive too hard, you could think in terms of a range of about 300 miles from the 60-litre fuel tank between fill-ups. Exercise your right foot just a little though and if our experience, the predicted range figure on the instrument cluster will quickly fall to half of that. What about emissions? Well the combined CO2 reading for the coupe is just as bad, rated at 261g/km. It's 265g/km for the Spyder. But again, those figures are based on driving a lot more frugally than an MC20 owner normally would. Exercise your right foot a little and those efficiency figures will fall like a stone. To give you an idea of what that means, the 'low' rate CO2 figure for the coupe is quoted at a smoky 470g/km...

Summary

So the wait was worthwhile. For as long as most of us can remember, a Maserati sports car was a model you chose if you couldn't quite afford a Ferrari and wanted more of a GT. Or, more recently, it wasn't a sports car at all but a luxury saloon or an SUV. Now however, just as Maserati returns to motorsport, it returns to the super sportscar sector - and in some style with this MC20. Predictably perhaps, the price is almost as arresting as the offered performance. And not everyone will like the turbocharged aural accompaniment of the potent Nettuno engine. But otherwise, this represents a grand return to form for this famous Italian marque. Be in no doubt, if you're fortunate enough to be looking at a Ferrari Roma, a Lamborghini Huracan, a McLaren GTS or something similar, this Maserati should also be in your thinking. After all, there's so much about it you might love - the styling and the carefully crafted cabin combining with an engaging yet accessible driving experience which has a lot to do with the way that it's rather better than the competitors just mentioned at being both a super sportscar and a GT. And the best bit is that with new Stellantis investment behind the company, this might be just the start of what Maserati can achieve. A new era has begun.

Body Glass

Electric front windows

Brakes

Ventilated and drilled discs 390x36mm front rotor, 360x28mm rear rotor with 6 piston at front and 4 piston at rear in monoblock aluminium calliper

Hill holder

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Carbon ceramic brakes

Maserati stability programme (MSP)

Electronic parking brake

Carpets/Rugs

Specific floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Double wishbone sport suspension with active dampers

Communication

TBM (Telematic Box Module) for Connectivity

Apple car play and Android auto

SIRI/Google assistant

E-call

Bluetooth

Driver Aids

Active cruise control

Front and rear parking sensors with graphical display on central digital cluster

Digital drive mode selector (GT, WET, SPORT and CORSA)

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Driver Convenience

Wireless charger

Driver Information

10.25" HD touch screen central display with Maserati Inteligent Assistant and satelite navigation, powered by Android automotive OS

10.25" full digital TFT display cluster with on-board computer and dirver info

Connectivity Services (Europe)

Driving Mirrors

Frameless digital rear view mirror

Imperial system speedometer

Engine

Battery charger and maintainer

Launch control

Trident logo embossed on engine bay polycarbonate glass

Entertainment

DAB digital audio broadcast

Exterior Body Features

Indoor car cover

Black front grille

Rear boot

Autoclave carbon fibre monocoque

Side skirts, front splitter and rear diffuser in dark miron

Protective films kit - Matte or gloss

Exterior Lights

LED 3rd brake light

Full LED taillights including LED stop lamp, turn indicator, reverse light and fog light

Full LED vertical headlights including LED day time running lights and front turn indicators

Daylight opening (DLO) in black gloss finish

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic climate control

Interior Features

Cup holder in central tunnel

Lightweight sport pedals in stainless steel and aluminium footrest

Dashboard with glovebox

Multifunction steering wheel

Microfibre cloth

Nero alcantara sport steering wheel with carbon fibre inserts

Matt carbon fibre interior trim on central tunnel

Height/reach adjustable steering column

Alcantara headlining

Emergency kit

Safety

Driver and front passenger airbags and side airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Seats

Front headrests

Single front passenger seat

6 way power sport comfort seats with 4 way lumbar adjust

Security

Alarm system with GPS

Security alarm system upgrade with volumetric sensor and anti-lift sensor

Keyless entry and keyless go function with easy entry system

E-latch opening system

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 462

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 275

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 223

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 211

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 261

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 462

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 464

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 275

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 276

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 223

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 224

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 208

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 211

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 262

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 261

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 88

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 82

CC: 3000

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: V6

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: MID ENGINE NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 11.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 13.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 23.3

WLTP - MPG - High: 28.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 30.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 24.6

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 13.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 13.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 23.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 23.2

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 28.8

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 28.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 30.7

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 30.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 24.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 24.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 20.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 12.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 9.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 11.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 20.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 20.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 12.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 12.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 9.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 9.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 9.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 11.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 11.6

General

Coin Series: N

Coin Description: V6

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 630

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 2.9

Top Speed: 202

Engine Power - BHP: 630

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 463

Engine Power - RPM: 7500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 538

Engine Torque - NM: 730

Engine Torque - RPM: 3000

Engine Torque - MKG: 74.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/35 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 305/30 R20

Tyre Size Spare: N

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: BIRDCAGE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4669

Width: 1965

Wheelbase: 2700

Width (including mirrors): 2178

Height: 1224

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1475

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 60

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 150

No. of Seats: 2

Max. Roof Load: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.8

Brakes

Silver painted brake calipers

Brake calipers in red

Blue brake calipers

Black brake callipers

Yellow painted brake calipers

Brake calipers in Matte black

Fuoriserie bianco painted brake callipers

Fuoriserie orange painted brake callipers

Fuoriserie lime painted brake callipers

Fuoriserie rosso corse painted brake callipers

Fuoriserie blue classic painted brake callipers

Fuoriserie rosso anodised brake callipers

Chassis/Suspension

Suspension lifter

Driver Aids

Blind spot alert with rear cross path

Driver Convenience

Homelink (programmable garage door opener)

Driving Mirrors

Auto dimming exterior rear view mirrors

Engine

Carbon fibre engine covers

Entertainment

Sonus Faber high premium sound system (695watts) with 12 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Three layer paint

Special solid paint

Black roof

Carbon fibre roof

Carbon fibre bonnet in body colour

Matte paint

Two layer paint

Exclusive three layer paint

Dual pipe exhaust system in dark matte finish

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Double stripes in Bianco

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Double stripes in Nero

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Double stripes in Rosso corse

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Birdcage in Blu Emblema

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Birdcage in Rosso corse

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Birdcage in Bianco albostro

Fuoriserie - Liveries - TIPO 151 - Rosso corse and Blu emblem

Fuoriserie - Liveries - MC12 Competition - Nero

Fuoriserie - Liveries - MC12 Competition - Bianco

Fuoriserie - Liveries - MC12 Special

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Asymmetric Al aqua solid

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Asymmetric Rosso corse

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Asymmetric Hyper green

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint

Fuoriserie - Solid paint

Fuoriserie - Matte paint

Fuoriserie - Special matte paint

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint

Fuoriserie - Special three coat paint

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint

Fuoriserie - Texturized paint

Carbon fibre rear boot spoiler

Fuoriserie - Liveries - Double stripes in Blu emblema

Interior Features

Stainless steel door sills

Trident stitching on headrest

Extended alcantara upholstery with contrast stitching and laser effect

Carbon fibre seat back

Power steering column

Front and rear trunk matts

Fuoriserie - Alcantara and leather upholstery with racing seat backing colour upholstery

Fuoriserie monochrome leather upholstery

Packs

Interior carbon pack - MC20

Driver assistance pack - MC20

Fuoriserie - Blue carbon kit - MC20

Interior carbon fibre light pack - MC20

Paint - Metallic

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Urban green

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Blu victory

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Verde royale

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Blu maserati

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Orange zest

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Night interaction

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Rose gold liquid metal

Paint - Solid

Solid - Grigio incognito

Fuoriserie - Solid paint - Blu pastello

Fuoriserie - Solid paint - Bianco pastello

Paint - Special

Matte paint - Bianco audace

Two layer paint - Grigio Mistero

Three layer paint - Blue Infinito

Exclusive three layer paint - Rosso Vincente

Exclusive three layer paint - Giallo Genio

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Giallo genio

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Liquid metal

Fuoriserie - Special matte paint - Military teal

Fuoriserie - Special matte paint - Blu corse

Fuoriserie - Special matte paint - Azzuro astro

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Bianco alabastro

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Vintage ochre

Fuoriserie - Special three coat paint - Al aqua rainbow

Fuoriserie - Texturized paint - Powder nude

Fuoriserie - Texturized paint - Blu graphite

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Orange glow

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Hypergreen

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Blu graphite

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Blu denim

Fuoriserie - Special matte paint - Digital Mint

Fuoriserie - Special three coat paint - Aquamarina

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Bianco audace

Special solid - Nero essenza

Seats

Heated front seats

Transmission

Electronic limited slip differential

Trim - Alcantara Suede

Extended alcantara upholstery with contrast stitching and laser effect - Nero/blu

Extended alcantara upholstery with contrast stitching and laser effect - Nero/Grigio with rosso stitching

Extended alcantara upholstery with contrast stitching and laser effect - Nero/Grigio with giallo stitching

Extended alcantara upholstery with contrast stitching and laser effect - Nero/Grigio with grigio stitching

Trim - Leather

Fuoriserie monochrome leather- Tan

Trim - Part Leather

Full premium leather/alcantara - Nero

Fuoriserie - Alcantara and leather - Orange with racing seat backing colour

Fuoriserie - Alcantara and leather - Blue with racing seat backing colour

Wheels - Alloy

20" Birdcage gloss black diamond cut design alloy wheels

20" Corsa forged matte dark miron design alloy wheels

20" Corsa forged gloss dark miron diamond cut design alloy wheels

20" MMXX gloss black diamond cut design alloy wheels

20" Trident gloss black alloy wheels - Fuoriserie

20" Trident matte black machine polished alloy wheels - Fuoriserie

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go kit