A few days after the announcement of the Project24 supercar based on the road MC20, Maserati throws a high bomb by publishing on its official web channels a couple of photos of a racing variant of its mid-engined model, intended for participation in the Fanatec GT2 European Series Championship from 2023. It is called MC20 GT2 and is built, again, from the production MC20, which proved to be an excellent starting point for designing more exclusive and high-performance models. Specifically, the MC20 GT2 is a car dedicated exclusively to circuit racing and you immediately notice it, starting from the exterior, where much of the bodywork has been redesigned, focusing on aerodynamics and mechanical cooling.
In the front area there is a large carbon fiber splitter, a bonnet with large air vents, and large slits on the fenders. The profile features 18-inch aluminum wheels with a single center nut fitted with slick tires. Then we find racing-style mirrors, with the quirk of the Italian flag on the shell and super-enlarged air intakes on the rear fenders, which in turn are much wider.
A generous air intake is mounted on the roof to let the engine breathe, finally, there is a large multi-adjustable wing, a full carbon fiber rear with dual exhaust pipes, and a significantly larger extractor than the standard MC20. The windows are made of Lexan for weight-saving reasons.
Interior
Inside, an FIA homologated roll-bar has been added for greater safety, while the pedals and steering column are adjustable, with the bucket seat which is fixed and equipped with six-point belts. There is also a carbon fiber multifunction steering wheel, air conditioning, adjustable ABS, and traction control, as well as a data acquisition system. The MC20 GT2 also has a small list of options that includes a rearview camera, an in-car camera to record laps, a display for optimizing driving performance, and monitoring tire pressure, among others.
Maserati MC20 GT2 Engine
The 3.0-liter dry sump Nettuno V6 twin-turbo engine delivers 630 hp on the production MC20, but Maserati hasn’t bothered with the data for the GT2 variant because the prototypes are still under development. Instead, we know that power is transmitted to the rear axle via a six-speed sequential gearbox with an oversized clutch and mechanical limited-slip self-locking differential. The carbon fiber monocoque frame of the original model remains unchanged.
The suspension uses a double wishbone pattern with adjustable shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. The brakes have been updated with more performing calipers and larger diameter ventilated discs with a more effective cooling system. The Maserati MC20 GT2 marks the return of the Trident brand in covered wheel motorsports and GT racing after the MC12 era (2004-2010) in the FIA GT Championships. It is understood that the Italian manufacturer has already announced its future participation in the Formula E championship.
