Nocturnal Creature: The Maserati MC20 Notte

Elegant in its discretion, reminiscent of the cars of comic book heroes, the new Maserati MC20 Notte invites us to escape for a night. It was at the headquarters of the legendary trident brand, in Modena, Italy, that the very first limited edition of the MC20 supercar was presented last November. Originally designed for the racetrack, it had been adapted for the road, offering its everyday drivers sensations worthy of the greatest automobile races. At the end of 2023, the limited series MC20 Notte was then presented. Combining a decidedly contemporary aesthetic - it's impossible not to think of the car of a famous masked superhero when looking at its deep black bodywork and sleek design - and inspiration drawn directly from the brand's history on the racetracks, the supercar is already an essential collector's model. With aesthetic choices, power, attention to detail, innovative bodywork, and a structure worthy of racing models, the MC20 Notte reminds everyone of the legendary boldness of the Italian brand with the trident.

Maserati sets the tone with the MC20 Notte, "a fierce creature of the nocturnal world." And we can only agree with this definition upon discovering the supercar. Limited to only 50 units worldwide, this model reconnects with Maserati's origins: motorsport. A jewel with an incomparable look that houses an even more improved V6 Nettuno engine for even more impressive performance. Before exploring its power, it's impossible not to focus on the appearance of the MC20 Notte. Inspired by "the mystical and intense power of darkness," to quote the brand's representatives, it is the result of a fusion between contemporary aesthetics and the inspiration of past automobile races. To achieve this goal between nostalgia and current relevance, the brand enlisted one of its former champions, Andrea Bertolini, who raced with the Trident's creations for many years, winning the GT1 World Championships along the way. To successfully recall the past, particular emphasis is placed on Maserati symbols: the signature, the trident, and the side logos. These iconic elements then take on a shade of matte white gold. "Gold is the color of champions. The Maserati Fuoriserie team has produced a new contemporary tone capable of representing both the enviable brilliance of nightlife and the Trident's racing heritage: Matte white gold, the color of triumph," the brand's teams specified during the presentation held in Modena.

To celebrate this first limited edition model, numerous details have been considered, starting with the aesthetic choices that led to its nocturnal allure, giving it its name, "notte" meaning night in Italian. The body color is then an exclusivity to the already legendary model. Using the latest technologies in the field of body paint, they managed to create a shade that transitions from glossy black to a magnetic matte black called nero essenza. The details of the brand's symbols then shine once darkness falls, contrasting with their brilliance. The same attention to detail is found on the wheels. Measuring 20 inches in a birdcage model, diamond-cut, they are also matte black and are highlighted by matte white accents with golden reflections that stand out even more thanks to the brake calipers also adorned in black. An impeccable look that, we already imagine, makes the new Maserati a true collector's item. If the attention to detail is numerous on the exterior of the supercar, inside, nothing is left to chance either. Unsurprisingly, black dominates, further accentuating its nocturnal character. Marked by a sleek design, the cockpit sees all its features subtly stand out through the play of materials. The suppleness of smooth leather thus meets the elegant raciness of carbon fiber, in turn, complemented by silky surfaces made of Alcantara, a fabric reminiscent of suede. A tribute to motorsport, it is equipped with sports seats with six electric adjustments made of black leather whose curves are highlighted by yellow stitching as discreet as it is notable. The codes of the Italian brand are omnipresent inside as well, with the famous trident placed on both headrests and the steering wheel, here too in its sporty model. Finally, as a limited edition requires, a plaque indicating the car's number proudly sits between the two headrests, bearing the words "Una di 50", meaning one of 50. A detail that will delight more than one lover of fine objects. As with any supercar of this caliber, there are numerous customization options for the MC20 Notte, as Klaus Busse, Head of Design at Maserati, explained to the press, "Our Trident customization program is designed to create unique rolling sculptures for our clients. MC20 Notte celebrates the thrill of racing and the allure of the night by combining supreme performance and Italian elegance with a touch of mystery characteristic of the nocturnal world. It's the first limited edition Fuoriserie (custom-made, editor's note) of the MC20 and is dedicated to supercar collectors and racing enthusiasts." To bring the true Maserati experience to future owners, a track day will be offered by the brand, reminding them that behind this modern jewel lies an inspiration rooted in Maserati's DNA.

Behind its sporty elegance, the design hides an engine whose performance matches the MC20's appearance. Equipped with a 630 horsepower V6 Nettuno engine that incorporates the latest innovations from the brand's racing cars, the limited model promises unparalleled sensations, both on the track and during city outings. Inside the cockpit, numerous easily accessible controls make the most of this exceptional engine's quality. In terms of construction and mechanics, carbon fiber has been favored. Chosen for its lightness and rigidity, it is used in many structural elements, notably from the front splitter to the rear diffuser. While its technical characteristics make it the ideal material to ensure the supercar's performance quality, aligning it with the most efficient racing cars of the trident brand, carbon fiber also enhances aesthetics. As mentioned earlier, it is present in the cockpit to create accents and contrasts, but it is also found on door thresholds and wings. A detail that makes all the difference and adds depth in contrast to the MC20's matte and imposing bodywork.