2022 Maserati MC20
Overview
Maserati has been teasing us with the new MC20 mid-engine sports car for some time now, and we’ve finally driven this sweet little cannoli and sampled its novel 621-hp twin-turbo V-6. The MC20 is offered as a two-seater coupe with a minimalist cabin that’s focused on the driver; a convertible is expected to join the lineup later and eventually an electric MC20 will reach production too. A collaboration with motorsport engineering company Dallara has resulted in a carbon-fiber structure with aluminum subframes for the suspension and powertrain. This construction minimizes weight, which sets the MC20 up for performance-related success.
What’s New for 2022?
The MC20 is an all-new model for the Maserati lineup, and the “MC” in its name refers to Maserati Corse—a signal that the brand will soon re-enter racing events with a track-only variant of the car.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Maserati hasn’t launched the convertible body style yet, but it will almost certainly command a hefty premium over the already pricey coupe model. We’d save the money and go with the coupe anyway. Most of the MC20’s most desirable features come standard, but we’d suggest springing for the optional front suspension lifter to help it clear any speed bumps.
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Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Maserati is using the MC20 as an opportunity to launch an all-new twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that pumps out 621 hp. Called Nettuno, the new engine utilizes a unique twin-combustion system borrowed from Formula 1 race cars and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. In our testing, the MC20 needed just 3.2 seconds to reach 60 mph and strode through the quarter-mile in 11.0 seconds at 131 mph. In addition blisteringly quick acceleration, the MC20’s handling is race-car sharp. Despite the MC20’s otherworldly performance, its ride is refined and with the adaptive suspension in its most comfortable mode it soaks up bumps well enough to consider driving it daily or taking on a road trip. Maserati also says an all-electric variant of the MC20 with all-wheel drive will hit the market in short order. The company hasn’t released any details about the battery or electric motors yet, but we expect to hear more about the EV model soon.
More on the MC20 Coupe and Convertible
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy for high-powered sports cars isn’t usually great, and that’s true for the MC20 too. The coupe model is rated for 15 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. That’s a little better than the Mercedes-AMG GT’s ratings, which earned a highway fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg in its most efficient arrangement. When we get a chance to put the MC20 through our real-world highway fuel-economy test route, we’ll update this story with test results. While details surrounding the all-electric variant are hazy, Maserati has said that a driving range of more than 235 miles is target its engineers are shooting for. For more information about the MC20’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A two-seat cabin is accessed through upward-opening ‘butterfly’ doors. The MC20’s interior design is clean and minimalist, with only the essential controls dotting the center console. The cabin offers upscale materials with a decidedly sporty bent, including black leather seats with dark blue contrast stitching, aluminum pedals, and carbon fiber trim. To help solve the issue of rearward visibility, the MC20 features a digital rear-view mirror that uses a rear-facing camera to feed an image of what’s behind the car to a frameless inside rear view mirror mounted to the windshield in the traditional location. Several current-production vehicles already offer a similar system.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Although Maserati’s current lineup uses a reskinned version of Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system, the MC20 serves as the launchpad for the brand’s next generation system, which uses Google’s Android Automotive operating system. The new interface is projected upon a 10.3-inch horizontally-oriented touchscreen tucked under the air vents in the center of the dashboard; a second 10.3-inch display serves as the gauge cluster.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Few driver-assistance features are available on the MC20 as its focus is more toward performance than day-to-day use. For more information about the MC20’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Available blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The MC20 comes with the same standard warranty package as the other Maserati models, which isn’t really anything special. Rivals such as the Audi R8 and the 911 offer slightly more value here, as both offer the first scheduled maintenance visit free of charge.
Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Maserati MC20
Vehicle Type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $215,995/$260,045
Options: carbon-ceramic brakes, $10,000; 20-inch forged wheels, $5500; carbon-fiber engine cover, $5000; Blu Infinito paint, $4500; black roof, $4000; front-axle lift, $4000; Sonus Faber sound system, $4000; electronically controlled limited-slip differential; $2300; red brake calipers, $1200; upgraded leather and Alcantara interior; $1000; Trident stitched on headrest, $900; auto-dimming exterior mirrors, $650; heated front seats, $500; sport steering wheel with carob-fiber inserts, $500
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2992 cm3
Power: 621 hp @ 7500 rpm
Torque: 538 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.5-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/14.7-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
F: 245/35ZR-20 (95Y) MGT
R: 305/30ZR-20 (103Y) MGT
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.3 in
Length: 183.8 in
Width: 77.4 in
Height: 48.1 in
Passenger Volume: 48 ft3
Cargo Volume: 5 ft3
Curb Weight: 3757 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 6.5 sec
130 mph: 10.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.0 sec @ 131 mph
150 mph: 15.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 202 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 149 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 291 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.08 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 18/15/25 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
