While the heart of Maserati’s new chapter of grand tourers and SUVs is the excellent Nettuno twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 that is equal parts powerful, efficient and characterful, there is no doubt the ultimate expression of this engine is tucked firmly in the space behind the seats in the spectacular MC20 supercar.
The Nettuno V6 debuted in the MC20 back in 2020 and, while the company insists it is “100% Maserati”, it’s hard not to see the similarities between it and both the Ferrari F154 and Alfa Romeo 690T, which also happen to be related twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6s that debuted in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
But, in all honesty, whether or not the Nettuno is “100% Maserati” or a blood relative of a thoroughly excellent Ferrari engine (and its equally excellent Alfa Romeo derivation), the truth is, it really doesn’t matter as it is just a thoroughly excellent engine.
This is made clear from the very moment you fire the MC20 up and the Nettuno erupts into life with a grumpy bark before setting into a refined, grumbly idle. Nail the throttle to the carpet and the MC20 will rip to the legal speed limit in 2.9 seconds with a belligerent, rasping roar that hardens into a guttural, angry howl as the revs rise.
The way the MC20 accelerates is not only ferocious, it also feels very mechanical and alive - you can hear and feel everything in a way that makes you feel like you are a part of the car, hardwired into the seat.
Except for the steering, that is. While still very good and beautifully accurate, the steering is the only part of the MC20 that is a tad remote and muted. Nothing terrible, it’s just that the rest of the car is so damn communicative that the steering stands out by not being quite so chatty and informative.
And of course the MC20 is a superb handler with delightfully sharp, responsive turn-in, and fantastically accurate tracking through a corner. The nose welds itself to your chosen line and rear just goes about the business of getting the power back down as soon as possible.
There are no wayward mid-engined hijinks going on here, with the MC20 being remarkably stable and predictable, regardless of how ham-fisted you are with the whole cornering thing; slam it in too hard or get on the brakes too late and it takes it all in its stride, without even a hint of traditional mid-engined histrionics.
Brutally aggressive but not intimidating, the MC20 is a pure delight on a winding back road, likely even more so on a track.
The MC20 is very much a car that feels deeply analogue, despite packing all the digital tech expected in modern cars. It feels mechanical and raw - but never unrefined or unruly - and every single time you drive it feels like a special occasion, regardless of whether you are hammering across the Alps or popping out to the dairy for bog rolls and a pie.
Of course, pulling up literally anywhere in the MC20 makes it quite a special occasion, as it does look quite spectacular, and all you have to do is pop open one of those butterfly doors to make heads immediately turn and crowds start to gather.
And here’s the thing; people genuinely seem to have a different attitude towards a Maserati than other exotic cars like Ferrari or Lamborghini. It’s more like a McLaren, in the sense that people seem more willing to approach you and ask questions. Which is quite cool.
The MC20 could even function as a daily driver, if you were so inclined - and relatively agile - with the wide sills being the main obstacle. Even then, you simply slide across them on the way in or out, stopping briefly to both admire the exposed forged carbon fibre doors and swear angrily at the lower sill getting the leg of your pants dirty.
Once you are in there, the MC20 provides a surprisingly spacious and comfortable space, with a purposefully spartan race-style interior (plenty of Alcantara and carbon fibre weave) that presents everything you need and nothing you don’t.
All you have to do is pop open one of those butterfly doors to make heads immediately turn and crowds start to gather.
Well, let’s say almost everything, as the infotainment screen and the auxiliary screens in the main display can be a bit fiddly and obtuse to figure out. Still, familiarity quickly solves that particular annoyance.
In fact for all the MC20’s ferocious supercar performance, it actually possesses remarkably few of the traditional downsides of the breed. Yes, the sills are wide and will get dirt on your leg, rear visibility is restricted and you have to be careful how close you park to anything with those theatrical doors, but that’s about it.
Strip those minor niggles away and you are left with a ferociously fast and epically entertaining supercar that also happens to be surprisingly docile and civilised when required, while always retaining a suitably raw veneer, just so you don’t forget exactly what it is capable of.
How much is the Maserati MC20?
Maserati's supercar range starts at $448,000 for the MC20 you see here and heads up from there, depending if you want to go topless (MC20 Cielo) or full race-spec madness (MC20 GT2 Stradale).
What are the key statistics for the Maserati MC20?
The MC20 uses a 463kW/730Nm version of Maserati's twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 mounted behind the cabin and driving the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual clutch transmission. It will propel the MC20 to 100km/h from a standing start in just 2.9 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 320km/h.
Is the Maserati MC20 efficient?
Did you read the paragraph above? With numbers like that (and those big numbers in the price tag), efficiency is utterly irrelevant, particularly to anyone buying one. However, that said, Maserati claims a combined average fuel consumption of 11.6l/100km for the MC20, which is largely fantasy, because despite its surprising ease as a daily driver, most time anyone takes one of these things out will be to thrash it.
Is the Maserati MC20 good to drive?
Oh, it's soooo good. Brutally aggressive but not intimidating, the MC20 is a pure delight on a winding back road, likely even more so on a track. But it is also surprisingly happy to potter around like a Toyota Corolla if you want it to.
Is the Maserati MC20 practical?
No. It is spectacularly and gloriously impractical, as a supercar should be.
What do we like about the Maserati MC20?
It feels completely alive and superbly eager to go harder everywhere. Magnificently responsive and yet still supremely composed, it is also surprisingly forgiving of any shortcomings the driver may have.
What don’t we like about the Maserati MC20?
The infotainment system is a bit of a mess and the steering could be a bit more informative, but that's it really.
What kind of person would the Maserati MC20 suit?
Anyone who wants a properly ferocious supercar that isn't the obvious Ferrari or Lamborghini.
