“MC” stands for Maserati Corse, and vehicles bearing that mark have all the time been particular. Leaning on the model’s immaculate racing heritage, machines just like the MC12, and even the final GranTurismo MC Stradale, have been true stand-outs. In principle, which means this automobile ought to knock my socks off.
The automobile in query is the MCPura, a refresh of the already sensible MC20, with a reputation change that fully is smart when you think about what the automobile units out to perform. It wants to suit the MC ethos and reside as much as the historical past.
I flew to Florence, Italy, to search out out if Maserati nonetheless has what it takes to make me all racy. With a full day of driving by the hills and on the coast of Tuscany, in excellent climate, and with each MCPura Coupe and Cielo (convertible) accessible to check, the stage was set.
Maserati’s Fuoriserie Program Is No Joke: Ask And You Shall Obtain
All of the vehicles on Maserati’s Italian drive journey have been Fuoriserie examples – that’s a part of the model’s bespoke customization enterprise. The corporate says that over 80 p.c of MC20 vehicles have been thusly optioned, so far. The personalization can embody particulars as small as a particular shade stitching, or a single uncommon possibility. And a few vehicles are handled to a considerably extra advanced construct course of.
If you’d like your grandmother’s tablecloth used as a sample for the seats, Maserati will do it. Any exterior shade you need is technically achievable. Badge shade and brake caliper paint: title it. You’ll be able to even have graphics hand-painted onto the automobile (no vinyl decals allowed, solely the actual deal).
As with so many good and particular issues in life, your Fuoriserie-curated MCPura may be a little bit of a wait. Whereas easy adjustments like particular distinction stitching could be had in roughly 4 weeks, brand-new paints, or these seats solely your Grandma can love, might push a construct by eight to 12 months. A virtually limitless curated supply of your one-of-one Maser – additionally a characteristic of this system – makes the wait extra worthwhile, at the very least.
The Finest Components Stay
Powertrain
Whereas the times of Maseratis endowed with rowdy, cross-plane-crank, Ferrari V-8 engines are gone, the corporate’s fashionable, turbocharged “Nettuno” V6 is epic in its personal proper. The corporate makes use of the engine throughout its car lineup, however the 621-horsepower, 538-pound-foot-of-torque variant within the MCPura is considerably extra dramatic than the norm.
Turbo noises are ever-present. You should utilize the sound of them spooling to higher perceive when the engine is in enhance (although it’s mainly on a regular basis). There’s little or no sense of lag, and the powertrain feels immensely stout at any engine velocity.
Pulling onto the Autostrada was breathtaking; 60 miles per hour occurs in 2.9 seconds. The automobile was quick sufficient that I even struggled with the physicality imposed at a full-tilt acceleration run. And, for these protecting rating, the automobile will high 200 mph if you happen to’re courageous sufficient to maintain your foot down.
Steering
The steering in MCPura is direct however mild, far lighter than I’d imagined for a supercar of this ilk. This phase tends to favor high-effort steering, however MCPura is all about fast inputs and agility, so its lighter steering matches the general character. The curb weights of three,307 kilos for the coupe and three,565 kilos for the Cielo go an extended technique to permitting the automobile to really feel pointy, too.
Contemplating the technical nature of a number of the roads we have been driving, and occasional gusts of wind, the automobile’s excessive sharpness was appreciated.
Supple Suspension
The MCPura might completely be pushed each day. The experience high quality is shockingly easy. Even over the harshest of bumps (and within the stiffest suspension setting) the automobile offers with highway inconsistencies so properly, you’d suppose you’re in a Quattroporte.
I additionally admire you can change the suspension stiffness independently of the drive mode. Setting the engine response to Sport, however with the suspension on the softest setting, is a very nice technique to discover tight and difficult roads.
Laser Etched Seats
Some will criticize the MCPura for having “funky” patterns within the seats, however there may be artwork within the course of and the product. Maserati makes use of a laser to very exactly take away small bits of fabric at a time that, when seen from a couple of toes again, create a mural impact.
Typically, the highest layer of Alcántara is a singular shade, with the second layer beneath (revealed by the laser) stunning as a color-shift mesh-like materials. It’s an exquisite visible impact that brings a ton of character to the inside of the automobile, applicable for a automobile at this value and stage of rarity, and certain to be a dialog starter. I do want a number of the different inside supplies have been equally up to date to a lavish customary.
A Refined Facelift
The MC20 has all the time been a good-looking factor, so a drastic change wasn’t wanted – particularly with comparable mechanical underpinnings. However the cool MCPura visible updates, together with the renewed concentrate on bespoke vehicles, permit the timeless design to actually sing.
What’s New?
All of the wheel selections, apart from the usual set, are solid. There’s a new elective spoiler that integrates completely with the rear of the automobile, and you may order that in both uncooked carbon or painted to match the physique.
There’s additionally a brand new steering wheel design, which, optionally, can characteristic a neatly built-in shift-light bar. Stated lights are solely accessible on the coupe, presumably as they’ll be helpful for monitor work.
As Italian As It Will get
Driving a Maserati in its house nation simply feels proper. The sense of nationwide delight is alive and properly in Italy, particularly the place the Carabinieri are involved. In America, we should tiptoe previous police when driving hardcore sporting machines. In Italy, when in an Italian supercar, one may get extra of a nod of approval when “exploring the canyon roads spiritedly.”
Past that, the military of Maserati workforce members who joined us confirmed not solely true delight of their nation, but in addition a deep understanding of the model’s historical past and the autos they produce at this time. The present lineup, although not excellent, is probably the strongest in current reminiscence.
A Extra Becoming Title
The MCPura is, for sure, worthy of inclusion within the Maserati Corsa lineage. The automobile is a pure expression of the corporate’s most deeply held values: magnificence, velocity, agility, and aptitude. Versatile sufficient to be day by day pushed, or flogged with the highest down by Tuscany, the MCPura presents an excellent variation on a deeply lovable supercar.