Maserati just unveiled the MC20, a spiritual successor to the MC12. Unlike its predecessor, it features a twin-turbo V-6 engine instead of a naturally aspirated V-12, but it will be the company's first flagship sports car in years and it will also go racing. More importantly, the MC20 will become available with an all-electric drivetrain. Here's what we know about the upcoming sports EV.
Maserati is already working on an all-electric drivetrain
Somewhat surprisingly, this powertrain won't be borrowed from other brands under the FCA umbrella (or PSA for that matter, since the two joined forces under the Stellantis name recently), but it's being developed in-house in the company's innovation lab in Modena, Italy.
There's no official word on the layout, but the MC20 will probably feature a two-motor configuration with all-wheel drive. Unlike other EVs, it will probably come with just one battery option, the largest of any upcoming Maserati models.
The Maserati MC20 won't be the first EV from the brand
The company's brand-new electric drivetrain won't make its official debut in the MC20. This powertrain will be used first in the next-generation GranTurismo and GranCabrio models, which, just like the MC20, will be offered in both gasoline and all-electric flavors.
The grand tourers are expected to debut in 2021, with the all-electric MC20 to follow a few months later. However, it's likely that the electric drivetrain of the MC20 will be unique, with more power and a slightly different setup.
The Maserati MC20 EV will arrive for the 2022 model year
The electric version of the MC20 will likely break cover in the second half of 2021. This means that it will come to the United States for the 2022 model year.
The electric Maserati MC20 will be quicker than the V-6 version
Again, there's no official information on this model, but previously leaked information suggests that the EV will be quicker than the gasoline car fitted with the twin-turbo V-6.
Top speed, on the other hand, may drop from the V-6's 202-mph mark to less than 180 mph.
What we do know is that Maserati wants its electric motor to sound good and it's working on a signature sound of its own. This doesn't mean that it will sound like a V-6 or a V-8, but Maserati says "it will have a distinctive signature sound, already a unique attribute of all Maserati cars equipped with traditional combustion engines."
The Maserati MC20 EV will have a range of more than 200 miles
This converts to more than 230 miles, but it's a WLTP cycle estimate, so EPA ratings may be different. While this figure is far below what you get from a beefed-up Tesla Model S, which runs for up to 348 miles per charge, it's a decent figure for a sports car.
The Maserati MC20 EV will be expensive
The gas-powered Maserati MC20 will start from around $210,000 in the United States. The all-electric version will fetch much more than that, likely close to the $300,000 mark. This sticker will make it the most expensive series production electric vehicle out there.
Maserati will also launch a Spyder version of the MC20
The regular MC20 will be joined by a Spyder variant. This model was confirmed at launch, alongside the electric version, but Maserati had nothing to say about it.
Design-wise, it will probably be more of a targa-style sports car with removable carbon-fiber panels above the seats. Output, performance, and features will be identical to the coupe. No word on whether the EV will also become available in open-top specs, but it's very likely to happen. The Spyder will be even more expensive than the coupe, with the EV version to surpass the $300,000 mark.