To survive, Maserati returns to the essentials

Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Maserati MCPURA marks a return to the fundamentals for the Trident brand.

After a voluntary but confidential foray into the fully electric segment with the Folgore range, Maserati chooses to reaffirm its expertise in the domain that has forged its reputation. Here comes the return of the high-end thermal sports car, designed with technical rigor and mechanical passion.

Derived from the MC20 launched in 2020, the MCPURA is available in coupe and convertible Cielo versions. Aiming to be more than just a simple evolution, it embodies a synthesis of Maserati’s historic values. It showcases everything that has made the Trident’s glory with unfiltered performance, artisanal elegance, and a direct link between the car and the driver. The valiant Nettuno V6 twin-turbo engine remains at the heart of the setup. This 3.0-liter block generating 630 horsepower, 100% designed and assembled in Modena, utilizes pre-chamber technology from F1 with dual ignition, allowing for increased efficiency and responsiveness. With a weight kept under 1,500 kg, the MCPURA boasts a very respectable power-to-weight ratio of 2.33 kg/hp, positioning it well within the turbulent pack.

The carbon fiber chassis, fully developed in-house, offers both rigidity and lightness. The Cielo version features a retractable glass roof capable of transitioning from opaque to transparent in one second. Another visual signature is the butterfly doors, which reveal not only the cockpit but also the vehicle’s carbon structure.

Maserati Polish its Image

The interior, like the exterior, receives special attention. The model showcased at Goodwood sports an “Ai Aqua Rainbow” hue, developed as part of Maserati’s Fuoriserie customization program, and a laser-engraved Alcantara Ice upholstery, blending technology and refinement. The entire assembly is produced in Modena, at the historic Viale Ciro Menotti factory, where Maserati ensures comprehensive assembly, including the engine.

This return to the very essence of the sports car comes at a time of uncertain transition for the brand. While Maserati has announced plans for electrifying its lineup in the medium term, with upcoming GranTurismo and GranCabrio Folgore models, it seems here to be taking a pause, even making a statement of intent. It is perhaps by reconnecting with its thermal roots that Maserati hopes to secure its survival and maintain its status as an iconic manufacturer of Italian luxury sports cars.

But in a rapidly changing automotive landscape, this reprieve cannot last forever. All the more reason for this MCPURA to fully exist, here and now.

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