Maserati surprised us all when it announced it’s working on a track-only hypercar based on the MC20, called Project24 that will be produced in just 62 units. The special hypercar is a spiritual successor to the racing version of the Enzo-based Maserati MC12 celebrating the Trident brand’s rich motorsports heritage. Maserati has released three official sketches to preview its upcoming hypercar. The body panels are made of carbon fiber combined with a few components from natural fibers. The connection to the MC20 is evident only from the shape of the greenhouse, with everything else appearing to be bespoke. Even the windows are unique to the Project24 since they are made of Lexan for weight-saving purposes.
Not limited by regulations for road-going
vehicles, the designers at Centro Stile Maserati went for extreme looks with
thin LEDs on the bumpers, an F1-style splitter, large openings on the bonnet,
extended side sills, a new kind of flying buttresses, racing mirrors, and a
massive rear wing that is connected to a central fin. The rear end also gets
LED taillights inspired by the trident emblem, high-mounted dual exhaust pipes,
and a racing-spec diffuser. Maserati says that the front and rear aero are
“multi-adjustable”, producing high levels of downforce. Finally, the
center-lock 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with special aero covers were
specifically designed for the Project24, and come fitted with slick tires.
We didn’t get to see sketches of the cabin
yet, but we expect a spartan, motorsport-like atmosphere. Just like a racecar,
the Project24 gets an FIA-homologated roll cage, fire extinguisher, and a
special fuel tank. It will also feature a carbon-fiber multi-function steering
wheel with an integrated display, a racing seat for the driver with a six-point
harness, gearshift paddles, adjustable pedal box, adjustable steering column,
air conditioning, a data acquisition system, and switches for adjusting the ABS
and the traction control. Optional features include an extra seat for the passenger,
a “driving performance optimization” display, a rear-view camera display, an
in-car camera, telemetry recording, and tire pressure monitoring.
The Project24 is sharing the lightweight
carbon-fiber monocoque chassis with the MC20 but benefits from a series of
track-focused upgrades, better suited to its new role. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter
V6 dry-sump Maserati Nettuno engine here produces 730 hp, a
healthy increase compared to the 621 hp of the road-going
MC20. The higher output in combination with the lower weight which is less than
1,250 kg, results in a power-to-weight ratio of 1.69 kg/hp.
Power is transmitted to the rear axle
through a six-speed sequential gearbox, with a racing clutch and a mechanical
limited-slip differential completing the motorsport-inspired setup. The double
wishbone suspension is specifically tuned for the track with adjustable dampers
and anti-roll bars. The hypercar also benefits from Brembo CCMR ventilated
brakes with racing calipers and a bespoke brake cooling system. Maserati didn’t
reveal pricing for the Project24, but we guess that the 62 units will be sold
out pretty soon. The owners of the track-only hypercar will gain access to a
range of services including track-specific experiences and support, like in
other similar programs from rival automakers.
