With the GranTurismo being discontinued in 2019, Maserati’s lineup wasn’t only small but also largely uninteresting. With existing models like the Quattroporte, Ghibli, and Levante all getting too old for many to care, the company needed something big to revitalize itself, and that’s where the new Maserati MC20 comes in. Considered by most as a spiritual successor to the iconic MC12, the MC20 not only made Maserati relevant again, but also marked the brand’s return to racing and established its independence with an engine built in-house.
All of that said, the MC20 comes from an impressive lineage of mid-engine cars from the past, and it’s the brand’s first mid-engine car since the very limited Maserati MC12 went out of production in 2005. So, does the MC20 live up to the historical racing roots from which it is derived, and is it a true successor to the MC12? These are questions that can only be answered as history unfolds, but the MC20 is ridiculously quick, has razor-sharp handling, and has one of the most pleasant eye-catching designs of any car launched for 2022
What We Love About The 2022 Maserati MC20
It wasn’t long ago that we’d be very hesitant to say that Maserati was going to survive the decade. Its entire lineup was aged, with even the newest model, the Levante, failing to really make its mark in the world. Needless to say, Maserati had lost its way, but then the MC20 came to usher in a new Era. Its recipe of perfection all starts with the new carbon fiber tub and the double-wishbone suspension, but it’s the engine that serves as the real centerpiece of this story.
The MC20’s 3.0-liter V-6 was built in-house by Maserati, which is a huge shift for a brand that once borrowed engines directly from Ferrari. Now, it must be said that the term “in-house” is implied a bit loosely here, as it has become common knowledge that Maserati’s new Nettuno engine has some Ferrari and Alfa Romeo DNA and is, in fact, based on a Ferrari V-8. It still sounds like a Maserati, though, and it provides jaw-dropping performance: 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque.
These figures mean that the MC20 delivers a cool 207.6 horsepower per liter, which is impressive in its own right when you consider that it’s better than any powertrain coming from rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or even Porsche. Declared by Car & Driver as a “202-mph declaration of independence,” the MC20 was able to hit 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and could run a quarter-mile in 11.0 seconds at 131 mph in independent testing. Maserati claims that it can make the same sprint in 2.9 seconds and can top out at 202 mph on a perfect day. On top of this, the car is able to deliver razor-sharp handling and truly gives a race car experience on the road – words rarely used for anything with a Maserati badge.
The MC20’s Flaws Make It A Better Car
Now, we would be negligent if we didn’t point out that the MC20 does have some flaws. Yes, the engine is part Ferrari, part Alfa-Romeo, yet billed as an exclusive in-house powertrain. You’ll find some parts from other models too. The gear shift, for example, comes straight from the Dodge Challenger, and the steering wheel sure does look like it comes from the Alfa Romeo Giulia, and the door strap most likely came from the Alfa Romeo 4C. This doesn’t mean that the MC20 is a parts-bin special, but it’s these “little flaws” that help make the MC20 the best supercar of 2022.
The Maserati MC20 has a starting price of $216,995, which is a lot cheaper than the McLaren 720S ($299,000), the Ferrari 296 GTB ($322,986), and the Lamborghini Huracan EVO ($261,274).
Maserati MC20 | Lamborghini Huracan EVO | Ferrari 296 GTB | McLaren 720S | |
Engine | 3.0-Liter V-6 | 5.2-Liter V-10 | 3.0-Liter V-6 Hybrid | 4.0-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 8-Speed DCT | 7-Speed DCT | 8-Speed DCT | 7-Speed DCT |
Horsepower | 621 HP | 630 HP | 819 HP (Combined) | 710 HP |
Torque | 538 LB-FT | 443 LB-FT | 546 LB-FT | 568 LB-FT |
0-60 MPH | 3.2 Seconds | 2.9 Seconds | 2.9 Seconds | 2.8 Seconds |
Top Speed | 202 MPH | 202 MPH | 205 MPH | 212 MPH |
Price | $216,995 | $261,274 | $322,986 | $299,000 |
With a much lower starting price than any of its most formidable competitors, the Maserati MC20’s flaws are largely forgivable. But this isn’t even the best part, as the Maserati MC20 is now available as a downright gorgeous convertible known as the Cielo – a car that has been coined as the most advanced spyder ever made, and the car that we’ve argued proves that Maserati is once again at the top of its game. It’s what the future holds beyond this; however, that really matters.
2022 Maserati MC20 And The Future
We’ve told you that the MC20 ushers in a new era of independence for Maserati, and the new in-house engine is a big part of that. But, thanks to the MC20, and the products that will come after it, Maserati could soon take the path of Porsche and truly be an independent company. With the new MC20 Cielo launching for the 2023 model year, all eyes have shifted to the Maserati Grecale, which also happens to be offered with the MC20’s Nettuno engine.
Following these new models, the MC20 Folgore will open the door to yet another new era for Maserati and, potentially, put it ahead of its competitors. The electric MC20 will feature three electric motors and all-wheel drive with two motors in the rear and one on the front axle. It will reportedly be just 250-300 pounds heavier than the fuel-powered MC20, and it will be Maserati’s halo car with more than 700 horsepower. From here, things will only get better for Maserati, and it all started because Maserati returned to what made it great in the first place. This is why we’ve labeled the Maserati MC20 as the best supercar of 2022.