2022 Maserati MC20 Review: A Supercar Masterpiece of Engineering and Design
2022 Maserati MC20 Review Highlights:
- 2022 Maserati MC20: $216,000 – $300,000 (est)
- Pros: Insane power, excellent handling, and definitely a head-turner. Corsa mode, Corsa mode, Corsa mode.
- Cons: Limited production run, astronomical price.
The Maserati MC20 is more than just a car; it’s a work of art, a testament to Maserati’s commitment to pushing the boundaries. Beyond that, the impeccable Italian Maserati style is hard to miss visually and audibly. Sports cars are a dime a dozen, but the MC20 stands out among the other high-priced performance vehicles in a few ways.
The MC20 has a minimal driver-focused cabin but in a way reminiscent of a race car. There are only essential controls on the central tunnel, with two buttons dictating movement: drive or reverse. It looks more complicated than it is, and the sound of the Nettuno engine is the ultimate reward.
What’s new for 2022?
The 2022 Maserati MC20 was brand new last year, so everything was new for 2022. This sports car represented a return to racing for the Maserati brand. MC20 stands for Maserati Corse 2020, which translates to Maserati Racing 2020. With that said, the MC20 is an immaculate blend of supercar and Maserati, down to its front grille.
Which Maserati MC20 trim is right for you?
For the first year, the Maserati MC20 came in three configurations: coupé, convertible and electric. Our test vehicle was the coupé covered with a striking Blu Infinito paint you cannot miss. The automaker says the MC20 is built to stand out, and it definitely does. With only around 1,400 made, there is only one trim. That’s fine, though, as perfection doesn’t need multiple trims to get the job done.
How does the 2022 Maserati MC20 drive?
Depending on how many sports cars you drive regularly, driving the MC20 is like hopping into a rocket ship. First things first, there is no regular shifting or even a place to select your gear. Press the D/M drive selection button on the central tunnel to take the car out of auto park mode. Pressing the button once puts the MC20 in drive; pressing it again will put it into manual mode. It has paddle shifters for those who opt for manual driving. The reverse button is just under that.
It is initially intimidating, but all that goes out the window (literally) once you get moving. From the engine sounds to the blue leather seats, every piece of the MC20 is a significant part of the experience. Plus, it had wireless Apple CarPlay that flawlessly played Taylor Swift’s Midnights from start to finish. It also connected automatically, which was an unexpected feature that many mass-market SUVs can’t seem to get right.
Since the luxury automaker focused on having the best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, the MC20 weighs just over 3,300 pounds. With 621 horsepower, the weight/power ratio is only 5.3 lbs/hp. Not to mention that the entire vehicle is lightweight, thanks to the carbon fiber chassis. Carbon fiber is everywhere on the interior and exterior, which also helps keep the weight down.
How fast is the Maserati MC20?
The 2022 MC20 has 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Maserati states it has a zero to 60 mph time of 2.9 seconds. We must take that at face value because this automotive journalist is not aiming for a 2.9-second zero to 60 mph time on public roads.
During testing, the MC20 accelerated with lightning speed but handled well the entire time. Maserati’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission made switching gears swift and easy. The automaker used pre-chamber combustion technology called MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion) to make that V6 faster than any Maserati cars before.
Save for some electric vehicles, the MC20 is one of the fastest vehicles on the road most of the time. You might get outpaced by the brand-new Ferrari SF90 or the Tesla Model X Plaid, but this stunner is fast. Plain and simple.
What is the design of the Maserati MC20 like?
Since there was so much riding on this all-new model, the design choices are bold but well executed. Maserati consciously chose to forgo the usual grille design instead of a meaningful mashup. The top part of the entire car is meant to be aerodynamic and sleek, emphasizing elegance. Looking at the bottom of the grille, it represents the technical parts of the MC20 that make it as fast and aggressive as possible.
Nothing on the MC20 happened by chance, as each piece and design element was well thought out and executed. Carbon fiber paddle shifters, buttons for shifting, and even a switch that allows you to raise and lower the supercar without effort all work together to make the Maserati driveable while still being exceptionally fast.
One area of design that was lacking was probably overall space. While the driver’s seat was big enough, the passenger seat felt tight for taller people. It also didn’t have much room for anything. The small trunk area is in the back, thanks to the mid-engine setup, but that leaves only five cubic feet of cargo space, if we can call it that. That didn’t even hold a large camera bag, but that isn’t a deal breaker.
How much does a 2022 Maserati MC20 cost?
The 2022 Maserati MC20 price starts around $216,000 but can go much higher once all the bells and whistles are added. Our test vehicle was painted a special Blu Infinito color to the tune of $4,500. It also came with carbon-ceramic brakes and red brake calipers for a total of $12,000. A Trident stitched on the headrest was around $900, and the carbon-fiber steering wheel was another $500. Even the black roof was $4,000.
With an endless supply of customizable features, the MC20 price can easily hit $300,000. Our version was more like $250,000 with all of the options. The good news is that Maserati allows shoppers to customize the supercar from top to bottom, but it comes at a hefty price.
What is the top MPH of a Maserati MC20?
This Maserati had a top speed of 202 miles per hour and was the first model to use the Nettuno engine. The 621 horsepower V6 uses the Maserati Twin Combustion developed from Formula 1 engines and is actually patented. The engine has three main features: a pre-chamber, lateral sparkplugs, and a two-injection system. No matter how you slice it, the MC20 is impressive.
Even if you aren’t using all that engine power simultaneously, there are a few different modes for a customized ride. These are Wet, GT, Sport, and Corsa modes. Wet mode is sort of self-explanatory, but it makes it easier to drive in the rain. GT is the default driving mode and is perfect for just driving around, as the suspension is softer here.
Sport mode switches to a low-resistance pedal sensitivity, and the exhaust valves open at 3,500 rpm. The suspension is stiffer, and the MC20 benefits from faster shiting. However, Corsa mode is the cherry on top of all the MC20 offers. Traction control is in race mode, and the exhaust valves are all the way open. Gear shifting is faster, and everything is amped up for the ultimate driving experience. You can feel the sports car sink lower and get louder as soon as you turn the selector. Corsa mode also allows you to use the Launch Control system.
All of these modes offer a very different driving experience, but Corsa mode is like hopping into an F1 car with Lewis Hamilton. It is loud, fun, and makes for quite an exhilarating driving experience.
MotorBiscuit awards the 2022 Maserati MC20 with a score of 9.5 out of 10
It is hard to give the Maserati MC20 a low score on anything, even if it doesn’t play by the same rules. The Maserati gets major points for style, handling, performance, tech, and everything in between. We docked a few points for maintenance costs for obvious reasons. The rest can’t be faulted.
If you ever have the chance to drive the Maserati MC20, we definitely suggest you take the opportunity. This isn’t a typical daily driver, but that’s also what makes it so special. Those looking for a seriously fast and engaging sports car that you don’t see on the roads very often will find that in the masterpiece that is the Maserati MC20.