A year and a half ago, when the veil of MC20 was lifted for the first time in Modena, many fans shouted "Grandpa Qinghui". This brand, which has been called "sports car queen" for so many years but has no sports car, finally has a mid-mounted rear-drive supercar. But just a few years ago, it was hard to predict the future of the Italian sports car brand, because it only had three models on sale, including an SUV to survive. So when Ferrari flew solo from FCA Group for 15 years, the opportunity trident had been waiting for for more than a decade finally came.
MC12 released in 2004 and MC20 released in 2020
MC20 stands for: Maserati Corsa 2020
630Ps/730N·m helped MC20 break 2.9s
In my opinion, compared to the MC12 that everyone recognized 18 years ago. Today's MC20 makes even more sense for Maserati. Because the MC12 is actually a track version of the Ferrari Enzo in the maserati look. The Enzo's F140 engine was also used, but the power was reduced to a certain extent. And for a long time, Maserati did share the engine with the Prancing Horse.
The MC12 is considered a track version of Enzo
The MC12's F140 engine
The MC20 is a supercar developed completely independently by Maserati, the most notable of which is the Poseidon 3.0T V6 engine lying behind the cockpit. Born in the Maserati Innovation Lab, this machine has the strongest 3.0T data. 630Ps/730N·m allows the MC20 to break through 100km/h in 2.9s. What you need to figure out is that this is a supercar with a pure internal combustion engine. Compared with mcLaren Artura and Ferrari 296GTB, which have entered the hybrid era, neither the power unit power nor the acceleration performance has made the opponent half cheap.
MC20 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
MC20 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Poseidon engine
Performance: The strongest 3.0T engine and a number of F1 technology support
So how did the MC20 achieve such results? In fact, this is a mass production supercar with F1 pre-combustion chamber technology, which is also the first time that this technology has been mass-produced for civilian use. Unlike other models, the MC20 has a total of 12 combustion chambers (pre-combustion chamber and main combustion chamber) and 12 spark plugs in its six cylinders. The fuel air mixture is pushed into the pre-combustion chamber during the compression phase of the piston and then ignited. The combustion gas is ejected into a conventional combustion chamber through a special nozzle, triggering a larger area of the cylinder to burn. As a result, the MC20 has a 210Ps/L liter power data.
Poseidon engine with dual combustion chambers and double spark plugs
Pre-combustion chamber technology enables combustion over a larger area
Even though the displacement and cylinder count are half as different from the MC12, the power of the MC20 has increased. And after the introduction of the turbine, it still retains the characteristics of the Italian high-rotor engine. 7500rmp reaches maximum power, with a red background of 8000rmp. Even if Bridgestone customized a 20-inch irregular pattern tire for the MC20, the instantaneous wheel output, the tire's final struggle horror was futile.
Red line of 8000rmp
Bridgestone custom tires for the MC20
The F1 elements of the MC20 are much more than that. Maserati also equipped the MC20 with a carbon fiber monocoque shell cockpit, and the supplier of this part is the Italian chassis manufacturer Dallara, which has served several F1 teams. In addition to the consideration of weight reduction and increased body strength, the choice of carbon fiber monocoque shell is also for the subsequent pure electric version of the MC20. The body structure can be adjusted more conveniently, and the strength of the carbon fiber can further protect the safety of the battery pack.
MC20 carbon fiber monocoque shell cockpit
If I were to distinguish Maserati from other Italian sports car brands, the GT would have been the label I would give it. The destination of the MC20 is not just the track, and even that will be a place that domestic MC20 owners will not go after picking up the car. Daily transportation, going in and out of various important occasions is the scene it will face.
The MC20 features four driving modes to switch, including the GT, and even in Sport and Corsa modes, you can still actively adjust via the central adjustable suspension button. The chassis below 40 km/h can also be lifted by 4 cm. The streaming rearview mirrors in the car have eased the poor rear line of sight of the mid-range supercar. The blessing of these features makes the MC20 more suitable for becoming an everyday supercar.
Driving mode and suspension soft and hard adjustment buttons
Design: A masterpiece of designers and engineers working together
In terms of dynamics, we see a split compartment of the MC20's elegance and performance. That's also true when the car stops right in front of our eyes. Maserati split the body and lower part of the MC20 in two, the upper part is the sensual Italian on the clay, and the lower part is the precision industrial product completed by the rational Italian.
MC20 Design Director - Klaus Busse
MC20 design sketch
In order to preserve the integrity of the MC20 body shape, the designers abandoned the active spoiler design. This affects the MC20's downforce performance to some extent. According to official data, the MC20 can generate 100kg of downforce when it reaches 250km/h. In the same case, the downforce of 296 GTB is 360kg. But this also has the advantage that an extra trunk remains in line with the properties of the MC20 GT.
MC20 direct competitor Ferrari 296GTB
The Ferrari 296GTB is equipped with an active spoiler version
But there's no need to worry about aerodynamics for the MC20. At Dallara's wind tunnel laboratory, the MC20 conducted more than 2,000 hours of wind tunnel testing. Both the flat chassis design and the rear cocked diffuser provide a powerful ground effect for the MC20.
MC20 for wind tunnel experiments
The MC20 has undergone more than 2,000 hours of wind tunnel testing
Dallara's wind tunnel site also undergoes wind tunnel testing for the car
The MC20's flat chassis creates a powerful ground effect
The two-sided personality also reflects the moment the butterflies open. It is undeniable that Maserati used it to set off the aura of a supercar. But the lower edge of the door is also part of the carbon fiber cockpit, and this opening size may make the MC20 the most convenient supercar for you to sit in.
MC20 Butterfly Door
Butterfly door openings are larger but also require larger parking spaces
But sitting in the car, the MC20 gives me a sense of atmosphere that is not as stunning as it looks. In the interior tone of the overall black element, only the Italian tricolor flag and the huge carbon fiber paddle can inspire some of my hormones. The 10.25-inch LCD dashboard and central control screen, whether it is the size or layout position, are no different from ordinary family cars. Klaus Busse, Maserati's Design Director, explained that the MC20 is committed to creating an immersive driving atmosphere. So you can't see the buttons that have nothing to do with driving in the car, and holding the steering wheel tightly is what you need to do.
Slightly more ordinary cockpit layout
Interior nameplate and Italian flag
MC20 Design Director - Klaus Busse
Maserati waited to break through the fog
Summary: With the MC20, Maserati sees an opportunity. Don't get me wrong, this opportunity is not as simple as building a mid-range supercar. The real chance is the chance to get trident back on track. Maserati has announced its participation in the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championships. At this time, it occurred to me that the MC20 and the just-released Glene were all about providing pure electric models, and it was obvious that Maserati was playing a big game. Just like the picture below, returning to the track is destined to be difficult, but after breaking through the fog, there will eventually be light. Maserati, which broke away from Ferrari and became the crown jewel of the Stellantis Group, is just around the corner.