The launch of Maserati’s new mid-engined MC20 supercar has been pushed back amid the Covid-19 crisis
Maserati revealed images of a body-on prototype of its new MC20 supercar just last month, but in response to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, its reveal has now been postponed. Set to be the marque’s flagship machine, the new model will pave the way for a number of new cars, and will take Maserati back to the circuit.
With development well under way, a full reveal of the all-new supercar was set for just next month. The Modena marque has recently announced, however, that due to the current global situation, we’ll now get our first look in September.
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Aside from a name, details are predictably few and far between. Rumours point towards the use of a mid-mounted V8 or plug-in hybrid V6, but with Maserati currently developing an all-electric powertrain, it might follow in the footsteps of the Alfieri concept. Under the skin was a three-motor, 800V system, a powertrain that would put the MC20 up against the likes of Rimac’s C_Two and the Pinninfarina Battista should it adopt it.
Whatever the choice of powertrain, with the MC20 described as a ‘natural evolution of the highly successful MC12‘ of 2004, it’s safe to assume it’ll be quite a performance machine, in both road-going and track-only forms…
Earlier this year, a comprehensive investment plan detailed a slew of new models set to join Maserati’s line-up, including not just SUVs and EVs, but the aforementioned super sports model. This renewed investment comes after parent company FCA’s merger with French conglomerate PSA late last year, with Maserati now forming the flagship brand across the merger.
Starting in late 2020, Maserati will commence production of its all-new petrol-powered super sports car based on the Alfieri concept shown way back in 2014. This model will be built in Modena alongside an update to Maserati’s Viale Ciro Menotti central plant to facilitate the new model, including a new paint shop.
Maserati’s main points of investment will be put into its two other manufacturing plants, the first an €800million redevelopment of the Mirafiore facility, which will be Maserati’s electric vehicle manufacturing hub dedicated to EV-only production. The first model to be built in the revitalised plant will be an all-new GranTurismo and GranCabrio, both featuring four seats, a sleek two-door body and a pure-EV powertrain in 2021.
A second block of €800m is to be invested into FCA’s Cassino plant, which is primed to build Maserati’s second SUV model on a new production line alongside current production of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio models. Construction of the new line is planned to commence in the next few months, with pre-production versions of this new midsize SUV to follow in 2021.
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It would be remiss of us if we weren’t a little skeptical of Maserati’s grand plans for its next rebirth, but with a much larger and more confident conglomerate behind it in both FCA and PSA, plus a more defined roll not only as a luxury flagship brand, but also as a technical leader, it could finally be the jump-start Maserati has been crying out for.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
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