Maserati continues the development of the MC20 supercar prior to commencing production later this year. In addition to testing the car at race tracks around the world and performing hot weather tests in South Africa, Maserati is also taking it along snow-covered roads in the Valtellina valley in Italy as well as the Ghiacciodromo Livigno, a famous snow and ice circuit.
Maserati says the cold-weather testing has
been performed to evaluate engine cold starting, the low-temperature
performance of its elastic components and the car’s handling on cold and
low-grip asphalt surfaces. Maserati has also been conducting tests of the
battery, suspension, and braking systems in the cold, as well as ensuring that
the climate control system works as intended in even the harshest of
environments.
Found beneath the sculpted bodywork of the
MC20 is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 621 hp and 730 Nm of torque. This engine uses cutting-edge technology as it features a
dual injection system and an F1-inspired pre-chamber combustion system with
twin-spark plugs.
Coupled to the V6 is an eight-speed
dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear wheels courtesy of a
limited-slip differential. Maserati says it can hit 100 km/h in less
than 2.9 seconds and will reach a 325 km/h top speed. Maserati is
also developing an all-electric version of the MC20 that will apparently need
just 2.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h, max out at 310 km/h and
travel 323 km on a single charge.
