We’re at a stop sign, facing a T-intersection. To the left, a short uphill stretch curves through a series of esses before straightening out. The Maserati MC20’s twin-turbo Nettuno V6 hums quietly behind us, its idle surprisingly subdued, a common trait among Italian engines. We wait as traffic clears over the crest of the hill. My passenger, a first-time Maserati experiencer and a seasoned F1 enthusiast with BMW M3 seat time, is absorbing the cabin, her gaze sweeping over every detail. She appreciates speed, but nothing could quite prepare her for this.
“Hang on,” I say, finally losing patience.
She settles into the seat, phone recording.
I floor it. The red coupe explodes into the intersection, charging uphill, defying physics. Forty, seventy, ninety-five, one hundred and twenty mph flash by. Releasing the throttle, a quick downshift, a gentle tap of the brakes at the summit, a slight turn of the wheel, and back on the gas as we dive into the first ess. We instantly encounter the traffic we’d been waiting for. Hard braking, and we’re stuck behind a slow-moving caravan. The irony of a 200 mph supercar encountering mundane traffic is not lost on me. And, as usual, no one is eager to move aside.
“Did you get a good video?” I ask.
“Video? Oh, I completely forgot!” she exclaims, eyes wide. “WOW. This thing is AMAZING.”
That word, “amazing,” echoes throughout our days with the MC20. Involuntary expletives are also common. The ferocious acceleration seems to short-circuit vocabulary, leaving only the most primal reactions.
We turn onto a side street for another acceleration run. The rich alcantara seats press against our backs as I engage the exquisitely crafted carbon fiber paddle shifters. The Nettuno V6 roars behind us, climbing towards its 7,000 rpm redline, the traction control fighting to manage the fat rear tires and prevent them from dissolving into expensive blue smoke. My senses sharpen, attuned to the MC20’s lightning-fast responses. Restraint is paramount; keeping the speed under triple digits requires immense self-control. The next road offers more fluidity than the typical midwestern grid, hinting at the MC20’s true potential.
Navigating a series of curves and valleys, along winding ridges, we tread the line between exploring the car’s limits and staying within legal bounds. We effortlessly glide around a tight 70-degree corner. As I ease off the throttle, the rear end momentarily steps out. A quick correction, a slightly gentler application of the accelerator this time, and we’re back in line. The MC20 is remarkably composed, unflappable. Its ease of driving, even in Race mode with traction and stability control disengaged, speaks volumes about its exceptional engineering and balance. Another stop sign, clear traffic ahead, and we launch onto the freeway on-ramp. The Nettuno’s roar intensifies, the wheels grapple for traction once more, and the MC20 rockets onto the freeway, merging seamlessly into traffic. Our giggling passenger is returned, mission accomplished.
Maserati has been crafting impressive vehicles recently, but the MC20 truly embodies the brand’s promise. For many, “Maserati” conjures images of speed, exotic allure, and Italian automotive artistry. While the Trofeo models deliver on much of this with their stunning designs and potent 590 hp turbocharged V8s, the MC20 elevates the experience. Just look at it. It’s breathtaking. The closest Maserati has come to a race car in decades. Every element, every vent, every curve – it’s all about functional performance, wrapped in sheer beauty. Especially in Rosso Vincente, a triple-coat red paint so deep and rich it’s mesmerizing. It’s a magnet for attention. Stopped at traffic lights, I’d notice everyone around staring. Returning to the car after a quick stop, I’d often find small crowds admiring it, cameras out, captivated by its design, eager to learn more, to peek inside. And honestly, I couldn’t blame them.
Reach for the door handle, press the button, and the large forged carbon-fiber butterfly doors gracefully ascend, surrendering to the sky. Fully opened, the carbon-fiber monocoque’s inward sweep becomes apparent, facilitating surprisingly easy entry and exit. You can either slide onto the seat and swing your legs in, or step into the monocoque and lower yourself into the embrace of the seat. Having driven only one other monocoque chassis car, the Alfa Romeo 4C, the MC20’s accessibility is a welcome contrast. The doors contribute to this ease, positioning you closer to the seat, and the sill is less intrusive than the 4C’s.
Once inside, these seats become a place you won’t want to leave. Supportive yet not restrictive, they strike a perfect balance for comfort and performance. The slightly reclined driving position is exceptionally comfortable. The substantial steering wheel, adjustable for both height and reach, allows for quick and effortless attainment of the ideal driving posture. The interior is a symphony of matte and forged carbon fiber, black leather and alcantara, accented with yellow stitching and aluminum details. It’s a purposeful, performance-oriented environment. A touchscreen infotainment system is integrated into the center stack, while the central console houses the driving mode selector and essential controls. Headroom is generous, even accommodating a helmet for my 6’1” frame. The view through the windshield is dominated by the fenders and the road ahead – precisely what you need for precise corner placement. The side mirrors offer excellent rearward visibility over the sculpted rear haunches, and Maserati’s smart rear-facing camera, projecting onto the rearview “mirror,” further enhances awareness. The digital rearview takes a moment to adapt to, but once you adjust your focus, the video image becomes natural.
The start button, Ferrari-esque, is located on the steering wheel. Maserati’s new turbocharged 3.0L V6, the Nettuno, might sound unassuming at idle, but like any great Italian engine, it awakens as the revs climb. Producing 620 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, it revs with such eagerness from idle to its 7000 rpm redline that it feels as if the tachometer needle is racing ahead of the engine’s actual speed. Maserati claims a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds, a figure I wholeheartedly believe. A top speed exceeding 200 mph is also claimed, though testing that required a longer, less congested stretch of road than available. Joking aside, the car’s ferocious acceleration from 90 mph on the freeway leaves no doubt about its capabilities. The Nettuno engine possesses immense lung capacity, propelling the lightweight MC20 with breathtaking velocity. It’s paired with Maserati’s rapid-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, operable in full automatic mode or manually via the large carbon fiber paddle shifters. Gear changes are instantaneous, responding as quickly as you can flick the paddles. An electronic differential manages power delivery to the rear wheels, effectively controlling wheel slip even when pushing the car hard, and its subtle power adjustments are palpable during aggressive acceleration with traction control engaged.
Surprisingly, the MC20 isn’t an intimidating car to drive. Initial impressions might suggest otherwise, especially after reviewing the specifications and price tag. Starting the engine with its robust bark can heighten anticipation. However, once underway, it quickly becomes apparent that the MC20 is not a beast waiting to bite, but rather a willing partner. In default driving mode, traction and stability control systems provide a safety net, provided recklessness is avoided. Comfort with the MC20 comes swiftly, encouraging exploration of its more aggressive driving modes: Sport, Race, and Wet, each progressively unleashing more of the car’s raw potential.
The steering is incredibly sharp, with a remarkably quick ratio. Navigating esses requires only minimal steering input, allowing you to almost anticipate curves by thought alone. Its responsiveness is exhilarating and makes maneuvering a pure joy.
The suspension inspires unwavering confidence. Employing double-wishbones and active dampers, it effectively filters out minor road imperfections while absorbing larger bumps with composed resilience, all while delivering sharp and responsive handling. We intentionally provoked the rear end to step out on occasion, but it remained consistently controllable, fostering a deep sense of trust in the car’s chassis dynamics. A hydraulic lifting system is integrated to protect the vulnerable front splitter from damage caused by speed bumps and steep inclines. For anyone accustomed to carefully approaching angled driveways to prevent splitter scrapes, this feature is deeply appreciated, especially given the exquisite carbon fiber detailing on the car’s front.
Braking is handled by Brembo carbon-ceramic matrix units: massive rotors and calipers that inspire immediate confidence. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of braking technology, they live up to their reputation. While familiar from other high-performance cars, these Brembos feel particularly user-friendly in real-world driving. Initial pedal feel might seem slightly firm before they engage, but once warmed, their bite is phenomenal. Under hard deceleration from speed, they are nothing short of exceptional – easily modulated, providing crystal-clear feedback, instilling complete control.
My local roads are far from ideal for a car of this caliber. Typically, I seek out a 120-mile stretch of winding roads with elevation changes to truly evaluate performance. However, Maserati’s mileage limitations (understandable for such an exclusive vehicle) meant I had to make do with a mix of freeway and less-than-ideal country roads. Over our days with the MC20, we gained a comprehensive understanding of its character. My expectations were high, but the MC20 surpassed them. It’s a unique blend of exotic sports car and race car, simultaneously refined and raw. It demands heightened reflexes, urging you to push harder, making even a short twenty-minute drive intensely engaging – mentally, physically, and emotionally. It can be docile when needed, but for those who relish performance driving, the engine’s siren song under load, the rapid rush to redline, and the blurring scenery become utterly irresistible.
Fuel efficiency? Honestly, it was irrelevant, and frankly, I didn’t care. This car isn’t about economy, and anyone mentioning “carbon footprint” in its presence would likely receive a swift lesson in priorities.
The stereo system? Truthfully, I have no idea. I think it might have been on briefly at some point, but with the sonorous Italian V6 just behind my head, orchestrating a symphony of roars and pops, who needs music?
Would I buy one? In a heartbeat, if lottery winnings or a sudden inheritance materialized. Though, personally, the Ciello roadster holds even greater appeal. The allure of open-air driving, closer to the raw engine sound, is undeniable. Perhaps, if Maserati can forgive my delayed review, they might grant us a Ciello test drive someday.
The MC20 starts around $212,000 USD. Our test car, loaded with approximately $90,000 in options, was undeniably enhanced by them. The exterior carbon fiber package ($35,000), carbon-ceramic brakes ($11,200), suspension lifter ($4,000), carbon fiber engine cover ($5,000), and the $10,000 Rosso Vincente paint were all highly desirable. I wouldn’t have changed a single option.
Equal parts visceral racing machine, exotic sports car, work of art, and status symbol, the MC20 proved to be an absolute joy to drive. Used as a daily driver for nearly three days, it was surprisingly comfortable. Not once did I encounter issues with driving position, entry/exit, excessive heat, or control placement – there were simply no complaints. It’s a car that commands attention, captures your heart, and somehow, justifies itself to your rational mind.
Frankly, the 2023 Maserati Mc20 seduced me on every level.
Performance: 10
Handling: 10
Design: 11
Interior: 10
Infotainment: 10
Sound: 10
Fun: 10
Overall: 10
Special thanks to Nick Nardi for his assistance with the rolling shots.
