The last time Maserati had a GranTurismo in the showrooms was in 2019, and then production of the model stopped after some 40,000 cars had been sold worldwide. At that time, the carmaker didn’t say it was the end of the line but rather that it was focussing on factory renovation. It also said that it would develop a new ‘Made in Italy’ high-performance sportscar which would undoubtedly continue the iconic model line that began 75 years ago.
The all-new GranTurismo must be nearing launch as it has now been revealed in public without camouflage. With ‘a selected number of employees from the Maserati Family in the driving seat’ and travelling many kilometres, prototypes must be undergoing final real-world testing. This is the time when pictures start to appear in social media so the company has probably decided that it’s more practical to simply allow the car to be seen uncamouflaged.
One of the frustrations for engineers is that there are so many regulations they must meet when developing a model for sale. There are emission regulations and safety regulations to comply with otherwise the car cannot be registered for use on public roads.
With racing cars, it’s a bit different and while there are also regulations, they are generally focussed on safety while allowing more freedom in performance. This is why manufacturers sometimes have models which are strictly for track use (or on private roads) and then the engineers can go all out to achieve maximum performance. It’s a dream project for any engineer.
At Maserati, there’s such a dream project now in progress, codename Project24. This is going to be a super sportscar and it is based on the MC20. Besides inheriting the main specification, the V6 Nettuno 3-litre dry sump engine will have new turbochargers to raise its power out to 740 ps. The drivetrain will consist of 6-speed sequential racing transmission with a racing clutch, and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Maserati MC20
Besides suspension uprating, there will also be a carbon-ceramic braking system by Brembo and slick tyres specially chosen for racing, as well as FIA-approved safety features. The passenger’s seat will be an optional item but air-conditioning will be installed.
Based on the brand’s obsession with lightness, the target weight of the sportscar will be below 1,250 kgs. With the higher output and lower weight, a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 1.69 kgs/ps will be possible.
The bodywork has also be lightened with carbonfibre cladding. Aerodynamic studies in the wind tunnel will provide guidance on how to make the body more slippery, and there will be adjustable front and rear wings.
The Project24 will not be a one-off car but will be produced in 62 copies. Each owner will have assistance in getting the car on the track and also support services. Of course, how many owners will race it on a track remains to be seen but it will certainly become an instant classic collector’s item.
The last time Maserati had a true supercar was 15 years ago and that was the MC12 (which was largely a Ferrari Enzo derivative). Since then, its range has been aging and declining sales have diminished revenues to fund new product development. But the downhill slide has been arrested and the Italian brand with a history of over 100 years is preparing for a renaissance with an all-new model – the MC20.
All-new engine by Maserati
Unlike the MC12, the new MC20 (which stands for ‘Maserati Corse’ and ‘2020’) has been developed almost entirely by Maserati and this includes its engine, which it also makes in-house. The 3-litre 90-degree V6 engine, called Nettuno, is a brand new power unit which generates 630 bhp – coincidentally almost the same as what the MC12 produced. However, this output, along with 730 Nm of torque has been achieved with half the number of cylinders and cubic centimetres.
The achievement is due in a large part to using twin turbochargers as well as Maserati Twin Combustion (MTC), an approach which increases combustion efficiency by using a pre-combustion chamber with twin spark plugs. The concept has so far been used only in F1 engines so this is another example of F1 technology being transferred to a road car.
Power delivery to the rear wheels passes through an 8-speed, dual-clutch transmission and a mechanically locking rear differential (an electronic differential is available as an option). From the moment the power is transferred to the road, it takes a claimed 2.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h, another 5.9 seconds to go past 200 km/h and top out at 325 km/h.
If the driver cares about fuel consumption at all, the claimed figure for lowest consumption is 10.4 kms/litre but most drivers would probably be burning fuel from the 60-litre tank at around 5 kms/litre.
Electrification-ready platform
The 1,500 kg MC20 has a carbonfibre monocoque tub enclosed by a lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium coupe bodystyle which will, in due course, be accompanied by a convertible. The platform is also ready for electrification in future (probably in 2022) without requiring much structural alteration.
Aerodynamic efficiency was given a lot of attention and over 2,000 man-hours were spent in the wind tunnel with specialists from Dallara (the racing car team) refining and optimising the shape. More than a thousand Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations were also done and the resulting car has a sleek 0.38 Cd profile, with no mobile appendages. Only a discreet rear spoiler projects from the otherwise clean surfacing, providing the necessary downforce at high speeds.
Cabin designed for sporty experience
The 2-seat cabin, accessed through ‘butterfly’ doors, is configured for sporty driving with the driver as the central element. A conscious effort has been made to keep everything simple and clean to minimise distractions. However, the driver is kept fully informed of what the car is doing at all times with two 10-inch screens that also enable management of functions.
Simplicity is also evident in the carbonfibre-clad central console, which minimal features – a wireless smartphone charger pad, selector for 5 driving modes, 2 speed selection buttons, power window controls, Multimedia System controls, and a storage compartment. All other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right.
To stay connected to the outside world, the MC20 comes with the Maserati Connect program. This offers a full range of services that include connected navigation, Alexa and wifi hotspot. Maserati provides an app for interfacing with a smartphone or smartwatch.
At launch, Maserati offers 6 colours to characterise the MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. Each of them has been conceived exclusively for the new model with themes that relate to Maserati and Italy.
Return to motorsport
Both visually and conceptually, there are strong references to the MC12. In the same way as its predecessor, the MC20 is an indication of the brand’s return to motorsport. It will be built at Maserati’s plant where its cars have been built for more than 80 years.
A new production line, created in the spaces where the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models were assembled until November 2019, will now be for the MC20. The site also has a new paintshop incorporating innovative, environment-friendly technologies. The Nettuno will also be built in Modena, at the newly established Maserati Engine Lab.
More accessible than the MC12
Only 50 units of the MC12 were ever made and they were very expensive. The MC20, however, will be available in larger numbers and at a more accessible price. Production starts at the end of this year with orders are now being accepted.
The launch of the MC20 marks the beginning of the new era for the company that has been involved in automobiles since the beginning of the last century. Part of a long-term plan to return to greatness, especially in the performance segment, it should gain prominence with a secure future in the FCA Group.
