The new Maserati MC20 has finally been revealed, with the mid-engined supercar billed as the start of a “new era for the Trident brand”.

As the company has already revealed, power will come from a new twin-turbo 3,0-litre V6 petrol engine (called “Nettuno”), which generates 463 kW at 7 500 r/min and 730 N.m from 3 000 r/min to 5 500 r/min. Maserati says this engine, which weighs less than 220 kg and revs to 8 000 r/min, is the “highest-powered six-cylinder powerplant in production”.

The result, according to the Italian firm, is a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in “under 3,0 seconds” and a top speed of more than 325 km/h. How long does it take to hit 200 km/h? Well, Maserati lists a figure of “less than 8,8 seconds”. Drive is directed to the rear axle via an eight-speed (oil-immersed) dual-clutch transmission. The top two cogs function as overdrive gears to “ensure emissions compliance”.

Interestingly, the Modena-based brand has also confirmed a battery-electric version of the two-seater MC20 is on the cards for 2022, set to boast a range of “over 380 km”, a top speed of more than 310 km/h, a 0-100 km/h time of 2,8 seconds and a 0-200 km/h sprint of 8,4 seconds. A convertible model is also planned.

Maserati says the new MC20 is lighter than its competitors, tipping the scales at 1 470 kg thanks in part to a chassis fashioned entirely from carbon-fibre and composites. It furthermore boasts all sorts of clever aerodynamic tricks and a frameless digital rear-view mirror fed video from a rear-sited camera. Inside, you’ll also find a digital instrument cluster and a central display, each measuring 10,25 inches.

The MC20 will ship standard with four driving modes: wet, GT, sport and corsa. The default GT mode sees the exhaust valves open only above 5 000 r/min, with the various controls and suspension set to normal. Wet mode offers the “highest level of control on wet or damp road surfaces”, while sport mode increases throttle sensitivity, opens the exhaust valves at 3 500 r/min, stiffens the suspension, sharpens up the gearbox and loosens the traction nannies.

And corsa mode? Well, this setting offers what Maserati describes as the “most extreme experience”. Traction control is “much less active”, engine boost is set to maximum, the throttle becomes even more sensitive and the exhaust valves are open throughout the rev range. Here, the gear-shift and suspension are also set to “race”, and the launch control function becomes available.

The new MC20 is scheduled to arrive in South Africa in "early 2021".

Original article from Car