Snow and ice seem to pose no threat to the mid-engined super sports car
It has been a while since we last heard about the MC20. According to Maserati, the model is currently undergoing a series of reliability tests in extreme cold weather in Italy.
The tests are conducted on the snow-covered roads of the Valtellina and at the Ghiacciodromo Livigno, the country’s most notable snow and ice circuit.
The MC20 was tested to evaluate engine cold starting, the low-temperature performance of its elastic components as well as its handling on cold and low-grip asphalt surfaces.
In addition, its Climate Control System, battery, suspension and brakes were also subjected to the testing.
“The extreme conditions have not stopped the new MC20; in fact, they have enhanced the opposing personalities of this car, born from the Brand’s racing DNA but designed for series production,” said the press release.
First introduced in September 2020, the MC20 (which stands for Maserati Corse 2020) marks the beginning of a new era for Maserati. Unlike its predecessor which sourced its engine from Ferrari, the MC20 features an in-house developed engine.
Dubbed Nettuno, the twin-turbo 90-degree V6 engine measures 3.0 litres in displacement, which is achieved by bore and stroke of 88 mm X 82 mm. With a compression ratio of 11:1, the engine develops 630 hp at 7,500 rpm and 730 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm, which equals to an output of 210 hp/litre.
Other highlights of the engine include Formula 1-derived pre-chamber combustion system with twin-spark plugs and a dry sump. What makes it even more special is that it is hand-built at the new Maserati Engine Lab in Modena.
With an eight-speed automatic transmission, the MC20 is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 325 km/h.
Maserati previously said that an electric version of the MC20, which boasts a century sprint time of 2.8 seconds and an operating range of 323 km, is also in the pipeline.
