The red brick buildings in the northern Italian city of Modena are the heart of Maserati. Sports cars with the Trident have been made here for over 80 years. But those who expect a gloomy workshop with oil stains on the floor will be disappointed. There is an almost clinically sterile atmosphere in the factory halls when we visited. Maserati technicians work in bright white overalls and white gloves under bright white artificial light.
The Maserati prestige model is built here on 30 workstations: the Coupé MC20 and the convertible named Cielo (see video). The Grecale and Levante SUVs, as well as the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, are produced at two other factories in Italy. Only three robots are used for production in Modena – two at the paint shop and one at the so-called “marriage station”, where the V6 engine is combined with the body. Maserati technicians assemble the MC20 almost entirely by hand in 80 operating hours (six parts per day).
Intentionally omitted spoilers
The highlight after our quick visit to the factory is a trip on the MC20. The stylish tank top comes without any spoilers or other frills. Its shape has been trimmed for the best possible aerodynamics, so for example the air duct in the lower side skirts.
Swing doors that open upwards not only look cool, they are also practical. There is no wide entrance threshold that you have to barely climb and get your trouser legs dirty. We settle into narrow sports seats and look into a functional cockpit with digital instruments and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment – with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and wireless charging, of course.
Homemade engines again
We press the start button on the steering wheel and we bring the V6 biturbo unit to life. It is the first engine developed by Maserati itself since 1998. In between, they served at sister company Ferrari. The V6 features a dual ignition F1-inspired front chamber fuel injection system. Thanks to this technology, Maserati reduces consumption and despite its high performance, it can also comply with emissions regulations.
To be specific: 630 hp (463 kW) and 730 Nm go to the rear wheels via automatic dual-clutch without any electrical assistance. The 1,500-kilogram bolid accelerates to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and to 200 km/h in 8.8 seconds. It only finishes above 325 km/h. However, the V6 biturbo petrol engine consumes “only” 11.6 liters per 100 kilometers on average.
We start – and we drive around the city respectfully and carefully. The automatic gear shifts are fine, but at roundabouts it can’t always decide between first and second gear. We’re hitting the gas outside Modena – and the MC20 shows what it’s capable of. The super sports car races across hilly terrain interspersed with bends as if on rails – the hum of the turbos becomes a constant companion on this journey.
Automatic takes time
We switch to “sports” and the transmission hammers in the gears are even more brutal. Ceramic brakes pack a powerful punch before every corner and, with the excellent chassis, keep the MC20 stable even on the bumpy roads of northern Italy. That said, the wired braking system feels a bit synthetic. On the other hand, it reacts ultra-directly to our steering commands. To get out of corners quickly, we downshift manually for more torque – the automatic is a bit too much for our liking here.
But this is a high level of criticism. In any case, we want to make at least 240,450 francs the necessary change to buy an MC20. Or the electric Folgore version, which will arrive after 2025, which, by the way, is produced at the venerable factory in Modena.