Maserati MC20 (Sept 2020)

[TheCracker]

Does anyone else wish that the MC20 was more of a 911 competitor than a tweener supercar?

There's a new GranTurismo in the pipeline, that was their 911-segment rival. Whether the new one continues to be a front-mid layout or becomes a junior MC20 with a mid-rear layout i think is unknown at this point.

 

[lancia delta hf]

Maserati to return to GT racing with MC20 GT2 | Autocar

Maserati MC20-based racer with slick aero package is spiritual successor to MC12 GT1

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[ProjectWHaT]

MC20 GT2 officially revealed, will race at the Spa 24

Maserati MC20 GT2 Racer Begins Shakedown Process Ahead Of June Debut

The Maserati MC20 GT2 began its shakedown process. It will officially debut at the end of June at the 24 Hours of Spa.

www.motor1.com

The MC20 GT2 inherits the road-going car's Nettuno V6 engine. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 features twin-combustion technology based on Formula 1 engines. Maserati didn't detail the GT2's output but said it took it to "a higher level."

The regular MC20 pairs the engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. However, the GT2 replaces that unit with a six-speed sequential racing gearbox. A racing steering wheel with paddle shifters sits in front of the 10-inch driver's display tucked in the carbon-fiber dashboard.

Maserati replaced the racer's suspension setup with racing components. It gives the GT2 adjustable shock absorbers and adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars. The car also features quick-release removable bodywork and an adjustable rear wing. The Blu Infinito livery completes the coupe's racing appearance.

"We've focused on developing a product that not only stands up to its competitors but is also an ideal car for our gentleman drivers in terms of handling, comfort, and performance," said Andrea Bertolini, Maserati's test driver. "We want them to experience a unique feeling in this car,' he added.

To fit the SRO GT2 regulations, the car will likely have between 640 - 700 hp and will be BoP'd with other GT2 cars

 

[Keef]

GT2

Can somebody explain to me what GT2 is? It doesn't seem to exist in the US at all. Besides reading this news article, I can't tell you a single car model currently racing in GT2.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

Can somebody explain to me what GT2 is? It doesn't seem to exist in the US at all. Besides reading this news article, I can't tell you a single car model currently racing in GT2.

Yeah, the article does a poor job of explaining GT2.

The new GT2 is maintained by SRO (Intercontinental GT Challenge, Fanatec GT World Challenge) and is unrelated to the old FIA GT2 or GTE classes. GT2 is supposed to slot between GT3 and GT4 but has more horsepower and less downforce than GT3. It is targeted more for amateurs and gentleman drivers.

You can read about the original announcement back in 2018 here:

GT2 name revived for new SRO GT category aimed at amateurs

A new category for high-powered supercars that revives the GT2 name has been announced by the Stephane Ratel Organisation

www.autosport.com

There's not many cars homologated but the main ones are:

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport

Porsche 935

Audi R8 GT2

Mercedes-AMG GT2

KTM X-Bow GT2

Here's the final round in the Fanatec GT2 European Series at Paul Ricard from last year

 

[Keef]

Ah so they're basically gnarly GT4 cars, nice. Kind of like what GT3 *should be.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

A completely different MC20 track car now has an official name and will be revealed on August 18th

Maserati Names New Track Car MCXtrema, Debuts On August 18

Maserati will feature its newly named track-only supercar at The Quail on August 18, and only 62 are slated for production.

motor1.com

It's been a minute since we heard about Maserati's forthcoming track-only version of the MC20. No, we don't mean the GT2 race car that debuted in June and is decidedly track-only. We must go back further to something called Project24, which now has an official name: MCXtrema.

We don't blame you if you're drawing a blank on this Project24 thing. It debuted way back in July 2022 as a series of renderings, depicting a highly modified MC20 with more wings, more scoops, and in print at least, more power. Maserati said Project24 would gain new turbochargers for the 3.0-liter V6, elevating the mill to 740 horsepower. Now that Maserati has announced MCXtrema as the official name for Project24, we also learn that output will only be 730 hp.

When Maserati announced Project24, the automaker stated buyers would have numerous options for customization. For that matter, Maserati says no two cars will be identical, so we suspect all 62 were spoken for long before today's announcement.

 

[HobblingNurse]

These cars are so attractive in the flesh.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

MCXtrema

Angular Maserati MCXtrema Track Toy Revealed At The Quail With 730 HP

The track-only Maserati MCXtrema debuted at Monterey Car Week, showing off an MC20-based racing car with 730 horsepower.

www.motor1.com

Making its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Maserati racer will be limited to 62 units, and as a track toy, it won’t be street-legal.

A flying buttress around the B-pillar channels air toward both the rear wing and the mid-mounted engine’s radiator vents. There’s also a roof-mounted split air intake that flanks a prominent, illuminated sharkfin, which improves stability and routes air toward the massive rear wing. Above an oversized diffuser is an imposing design for the rear, with a complex mesh of carbon fiber surrounding the exhaust outlets and trident-theme taillights. Maserati says the underbody of the MCXtrema is almost completely flat for better aerodynamics.

Inside the MCXtrema, everything extraneous has been removed for weight savings and to help the driver focus on the task at hand. That means the traditional dashboard is gone, with only a purpose-built structural crossbeam remaining to house the “command center.” The steering wheel boasts a 5.0-inch display, buttons and rotary selectors, carbon and aluminum construction, and a squared-off grip design for both aesthetics and ergonomics.

Underneath the carbon fiber monocoque and body structure is a version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 found in the MC20. MCX-specific turbochargers give the racer 110 extra hp compared to the production car, for a total of 730 at 7,500 rpm, while torque remains at 538 pound-feet. A six-speed sequential gearbox with a garage clutch sends power to the rear wheels through a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Keeping all that force under control is a four-wheel double-wishbone suspension with MCXtrema-specific geometry. Four-way adjustable racing dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars make it easier to spec the car for a specific track or surface, and four-wheel carbon fiber brakes should resist fade and provide excellent stopping distances.

Pricing for the MCXtrema hasn’t been made public, but Maserati would confirm that all 62 units have been spoken for at a price exceeding seven figures. Production of the MCXtrema starts in the second half of 2024, with deliveries starting that autumn.