Italian supermodel, the Maserati MC20, set to be the face of Maserati in SA…and maybe of supercars as we know them

If luxury, high-performance and unbridled motor bling is your thing, you will be counting the days until the world’s most beautiful supercar suddenly appears in your rearview mirror, before rocketing past.

Voted the World’s Most Beautiful Supercar at the 2021 Festival Automobile International, the Maserati MC20 will be unmistakable — even if you have just 2.9 seconds to see it as it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h and into the distance.

Maserati on the move in 2021

But that is just one part of the good news which came out of Maserati South Africa this week, with the iconic trident-badged Italian carmaker announcing a renewed and robust assault on South Africa’s premium vehicle market segment in 2021.    

Describing its plans for 2021 as the start of a new era, Maserati  SA said it is ready to accelerate into 2021 with a line-up of new models, including, of course,  and the much-anticipated arrival of what may be the most exciting supercar to grace and race local roads this year.

First up for Maserati

The latest news out of Bryanston, Johannesburg-based Maserati House is that the Italian car manufacturer will soon launch its Ghibli Hybrid locally, and as the first model to kick-start the brand’s new era.

“It is only fitting that the Ghibli Hybrid is the first new model from Maserati to be launched in South Africa. It combines petrol and electric power, which is significant for the future of our brand, and South Africa was host to the hybrid testing mules during their hot weather testing cycle,” revealed Nagesh Naidoo, the dealer principal of Maserati Johannesburg.

Following the introduction of the Hybrid, Maserati will shift its focus to high performance cars, with the launch of a complete range of Trofeo models.

New introductions

“Last year we introduced – and quickly sold out – the Levante Trofeo with its bi-turbo 433 kW V8 engine. This year, a new consignment of Levante Trofeo models is on its way, accompanied by bespoke versions of the Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo,” said Naidoo.

The Ghibli Trofeo and the larger Quattroporte Trofeo are fitted with the same Ferrari-sourced V8 engine but, according to Maserati, promises a pure driving experience with 433 kW delivered through the rear wheels. Both models will offer a top speed of 326km/h.

Next, according to Naidoo, and following  the launch of the Trofeo range — which are Maserati’s most powerful models introduced in South Africa to date — the focus will shift to the MC20 super sports car.

Enter the MC20

“Maserati’s new MC20 will make its debut in mid-2021 and will arrive in South Africa towards the end of the year. Maserati Johannesburg placed the first South African orders shortly after the model’s global reveal in Modena, Italy, in September 2020, said Naidoo – confirming the arrival of the automotive world’s newly crowned ‘supermodel’.”

Style meets speed

The MC20 – for Maserati Corse – is the harbinger of a new era of style, performance and passion for the Italian brand. It features a new 463kW V6 engine, made by Maserati, along with that eye-watering 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of only 2.9 seconds.

The two-seater, mid-engined car — with stand-out “butterfly” doors — was originally scheduled to debut in May 2020, but was delayed for reasons including the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The inside story

Maserati has revealed that the interior will feature a steering wheel constructed mostly of carbon fiber, with Alcantara accents. There will be a TFT 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The seats will have leather seating surfaces on the bolsters and headrest, with the middle seating surface made from Alcantara.

More MC20 variants on the cards

Earlier, Maserati also announced the construction of a racing and electric option variants of the vehicle which was developed by the Maserati Innovation Lab.

The MC20 will be produced at the Maserati Modena plant that is undergoing all the necessary modernisations required.