The somewhat disappointing MC20 has been given a track-focused sibling that isn’t even called the MC20. Instead, the House of the Trident calls this guy the GT2 Stradale.
GT2 may bring back memories of the GT2 class of the FIA GT Championship, but the GT2 Stradale is not a race car. Described as an ode to sportiness, the mid-engined supercar is the Italian automaker’s most powerful internal combustion production car to date, developing 640 Cavalli Vapore compared to 630 for the MC20. In mechanical power, that’s 631 compared to 621, with a displacement of 3.0 liters and two snails.
The V6-powered thriller is better described as a road-legal version of the GT2, and has two other advantages. The GT2 Stradale is 60 kilograms lighter than the MC20, and stands out from the latter by having 500 kilograms of downforce at 280 kilometers per hour compared to 145 kilograms. In old money, these figures correspond to 132 pounds, 1,102 pounds, 174 miles per hour and 320 pounds.
Most of the additional downforce is generated by the generously dimensioned rear wing. As for the aerodynamic downforce between the front and rear axles of the car, Maserati claims 130 and 370 kilograms, compared to 35 and 110 kilograms for the MC20. Designed for handling rather than pure speed and acceleration, the GT2 Stradale is no slouch. 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) takes 2.8 seconds, and the top speed is 324 km/h (201 mph).
However, availability and pricing will be announced at a later date. The carbon-clad supercar uses the front suspension of the GT2 race car, while the Corsa EVO mode offers four levels ABSTraction control and intervention of the electronic stability program. Corsa EVO is only available with Performance Plus, which builds on the Performance Pack.
Photo: Maserati
Performance Pack means ultra-high-performance rubber in the form of semi-slick tires from Michelin, an electronic limited-slip differential with specific drive mode calibrations, racing brakes of the carbon-ceramic variety and faster calibrations for ABS, ESC and stability control. If you upgrade to Performance Plus, you get the aforementioned Corsa EVO drive mode, a fire extinguisher and four-point harnesses.
It goes without saying that the list of optional extras also includes plenty of carbon parts, including optional carbon fiber gearshift paddles. Designed in the Maserati Centro Stile, the GT2 Stradale is available in four standard paint finishes and eight special colors. Digital Mint Matte is arguably the most nostalgic color of all, as it recalls the Vitaphone-sponsored MC12 GT1 of old.
Although the GT2 Stradale is a more extreme version of the MC20, it is not spartan inside. Not only does it have a wireless phone charger, but it also has infotainment with Android Automotive. The Maserati Intelligent Assistant includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, wireless map updates, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
Maserati has paid particular attention to the character of the GT2 Stradale and has given the 10.25-inch digital instrument a glare-free and anti-reflective surface treatment. This treatment naturally also applies to the touchscreen display.
