The somewhat disappointing MC20 has received a track-focused twin that isn’t even called the MC20. Instead, the Trident brand refers to this one as the GT2 Stradale.
The GT2 may bring to mind the GT2 class of the FIA GT Championship, but the GT2 Stradale is no race car. Described as a celebration of sportiness, the mid-engined supercar is the Italian automaker’s most powerful internal combustion-engined production vehicle, developing 640 horsepower compared to the MC20’s 630. In terms of mechanical power, it’s 631 horsepower versus 621 horsepower, from a displacement of 3.0 liters and two snails.
Best described as the road-going version of the GT2, the V6-powered thriller has two more things going for it. 60 kilograms lighter than the MC20, the GT2 Stradale further distinguishes itself from the MC20 with 500 kilograms of downforce at 280 kilometres per hour compared to 145 kilograms. In old money, those numbers translate to 132 pounds, 1,102 pounds, 174 mph and 320 pounds.
Most of the additional downforce is generated by the generously sized rear wing. In terms of aerodynamic downforce split between the front and rear of the vehicle, Maserati claims 130 and 370 kilograms compared to the MC20’s 35 and 110 kilograms. Designed for handling rather than outright speed and acceleration, the GT2 Stradale is no slouch. 100 kilometres 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 from the GT2 racecar, while the Corsa EVO mode offers four levels of abdominal musclestraction control and intervention of the electronic stability program. Corsa EVO is only available with Performance Plus, which is based on the Performance Pack.
Photo: Maserati
The Performance Pack means ultra-high-performance rubber in the form of semi-slicks from the folks at Michelin, an electronic limited-slip differential with driving mode-specific calibrations, racing brakes of the carbon-ceramic variety, and go-faster calibrations for the ABS, ESC, and stability control. Stepping up to Performance Plus gets you the aforementioned Corsa EVO driving mode, a fire extinguisher, and four-point harnesses.
Needless to say, the options list also includes plenty of carbon fiber parts, including optional carbon fiber shift paddles. Designed at the Maserati Centro Stile, the GT2 Stradale is available in four standard paint colors and eight special colors. Digital Mint Matte is probably the most nostalgic of the bunch, harking back to the Vitaphone-sponsored MC12 GT1 of the old days.
Despite being a more extreme version of the MC20, the GT2 Stradale is no spartan inside. Not only does it come with a wireless phone charger, it also sports Android Automotive-based infotainment. The Maserati Intelligent Assistant includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, over-the-air map updates, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
Maserati has paid particular attention to the nature of the GT2 Stradale, equipping the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel with an anti-glare and anti-reflective surface treatment. Naturally, this treatment also extends to the touchscreen display.
