WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: MASERATI
Maserati’s resurgence continues with its spiritual successor to the MC12, the track-only MCXtrema, which debuted at The Quail during Monterey Car Week 2023.
Formerly codenamed Project 24, MCXtrema is based on the MC20 supercar, but comes with aggressive, downforce-generating bodywork that is unconstrained by road-car type-approval legislation.
MCXtrema is based on the MC20 supercar but with aggressive, downforce-generating bodywork
This is immediately apparent when looking at the revised, shark-like front end, which features a low nose, huge splitter and trident-shaped aerodynamic channels running through the bonnet. A large, roof-mounted scoop connects the fixed rear spoiler to the sharkfin engine cover, cooling an uprated version of the Nettuno V6 from the MC20.
The side profile is similarly aggressive, and features gaping engine inlets, while the rear is dominated by the aforementioned wing, integrated exhausts and a diffuser that appears to have been pilfered from a GT3 race car.
A pair of new turbochargers mean the mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 develops 730bhp – 110bhp more than the MC20. The maximum torque output is 538lb ft. All that power is sent to the 18-inch rear wheels via a motor sport-spec six-speed sequential transmission and mechanical, limited-slip, self-locking differential.
With a kerbweight of just 1300kg, the MCXtrema boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 563 bhp per tonne – more than a V12-powered Ferrari Daytona SP3. Maserati has yet to officially reveal the car’s performance figures, but 0-62mph is expected to fall in the low two-second range.
New double-wishbone suspension with four-way adjustable dampers has been fitted at each corner to ensure the handling matches up to the straight-line performance. Stopping power is provided by carbon-ceramic disc brakes with a motor sport-derived ABS and brake-bias system.
The cockpit design is just as purposeful as the exterior, and features a bucket seat with six-point harness, roll cage, racing pedal box, FIA-spec fire-extinguisher system, polycarbonate windscreen and side windows, rear-view camera and carbonfibre multifunction steering wheel with inbuilt display. Air-conditioning is one of the interior’s few luxuries, and a passenger seat can be installed as an optional extra.
MCXtrema production is limited to just 62 examples, priced at £936,000 ($1.1m) each. All are already sold out.
For more information, click here.
