Meet the 621 hp Maserati MC20: the supercar of your dreams

Every car model debut has its own unique character. While some showcase updated versions of an established line, others simply repackage existing platforms with a new brand identity. However, on occasion, a debut will reveal a vehicle that transcends its individual components, carrying the legacy of the brand and potentially shaping its future success.

The Maserati MC20, with its impressive 621 horsepower and recent unveiling, is a prime example of such a debut.

Maserati's legacy as a high-performance automaker and early motorsport powerhouse have a longer history than its neighbor Ferrari, a brand once overshadowed by the trident logo. In fact, Maserati's achievements from the ‘30s and the early ‘40s, including back-to-back wins at the Indianapolis 500 and four first-place finishes at the Targa Florio, outshone Ferrari's first car by seven years.

What’s more, in the 1950s, Maserati continued to dominate with renowned drivers like Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, the latter securing a victory in the Formula 1 World Championship.

What you may not know is that in the subsequent decades, the Maserati brand experienced a decline in its prestige, beginning with its sale to Peugeot in 1968 and later to the Fiat Group, which also owned Ferrari, in the 1990s. As a result, in the new millennium, Maserati increased its production, but this expansion came at the cost of exclusivity, resulting in lower levels of prestige as prices decreased. The MC12 racer, primarily developed for motorsport and introduced in 2004, was an exception to this trend, with only a limited number of street-legal versions produced.

Against this backdrop, the MC20 supercar's unveiling in 2020 was a critical moment for the brand, as it represented a significant opportunity for Maserati to reestablish itself in the market. This momentous occasion occurred just months before the onset of the Covid pandemic, which would dominate the global stage for the following two years, unfortunately.

Powering the MC20 is Maserati's in-house Nettuno 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine, which made its debut on this model. This impressive engine generates features an F1-inspired twin-spark-plug, and a pre-chamber combustion system, resulting in greater efficiency. Power is transmitted to the wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, allowing the car to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in around 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 202 mph. Despite the significant power output, there is a minimal lag in the MC20's acceleration, though some drivers may find the staccato bursts of the turbochargers' air management unsettling.

But the car's handling is equally impressive, thanks to its carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and curb weight. The MC20 navigated the Autodromo di Modena's circuit with ease, diving in and out of apexes with precision and immediacy, aided by the car's highly responsive steering. Which, of course, has some inputs that are flawlessly executed through its Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires and controlled by Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, with six-piston calipers in front and four-piston calipers in the back.

The car's agile handling also shines on narrow byways and winding country roads, where the performance-oriented suspension exhibits unexpected refinement. Inside the Alcantara-lined cockpit, the overall high-end aesthetic is amplified by an Italian Sonus Faber sound system featuring 12 speakers and a power output of 695 watts.

Finally, priced at $212,000, the base model of the MC20 is in direct competition with the McLaren Artura, which offers 671 hp and a similar price point. While the 819 hp Ferrari 296 GTB outperforms the MC20, it comes at a starting cost that is more than $110,000 higher than the Maserati.