New Maserati MCXtrema Is An MC20 On Steroids

Bowing last weekend during the Monterey Car Week event, the newly announced Maserati MCXtrema track-only special is, simply put, the marque’s new MC20 that’s been given a sizeable dose of steroids. As you can see from the images and sketches released, the results are pretty dramatic.

“MCXtrema embodies the sporting spirit typical of Maserati's DNA, a declaration of a new pathway for our brand, devoted to superlative manufacturing and able to stand out in the world of luxury engine production with uncompromising performance," writes the brand when describing the MCXtrema.

Based on the road-going MC20, the MCXtrema sports radical new looks largely driven by the need for extreme downforce levels.

Standing as a spiritual successor to the Ferrari Enzo-based MC12 GT racer, the MCXtrema bears little no to resemblance with the MC20 sportscar that it underpins. Driving the dramatic visual transformation was the incessant quest to create extreme downforce to match its extreme powertrain.

Besides rich use of lightweight carbon fibre to construct, this new aero-focused exterior design sees several notable touches like deep bonnet airflow scoops shaped like the marque’s famed trident crest, massive diffusers both up front and at the rear, not forgetting an enormous adjustable rear wing too.

Much of the exterior and aerodynamic parts were constructed using lightweight carbon fibre.

Other notable traits include the low front nose housing a pair of slim LED lights, massive bonnet-mounted emblem, as well as an integrated twin race exhaust setup. There’s even both a roof-mounted air scoop connected with a spoiler via a shark fin designed to cool this extreme track car’s powertrain.

Speaking of which, the road-going MC20’s 3.0-litre ‘Nettuno’ V6 twin-turbo mill continues being positioned in the middle of the MCXtrema’s chassis, but it now gets two massive and new turbochargers plus extra airflow. Altogether, this heavily tweaked Nettuno mill delivers 730 HP and 730 NM of twist.

With a claimed 730 HP and 730 NM outputs plus 1,300 KG heft, the MCXtrema promises to be both lightning quick and equally agile track car.

Said mill drives the rear wheels via a 6-speed sequential racing transmission, but no exact performance data were released. Nevertheless, with a claimed heft of just 1,300 KG, expect the MCXtreme to command serious acceleration and speed on track, whilst the aero works should see it tackle corners quickly too.

On board, Maserati placed huge focus here too to create a single left-hand seat brimmed with a carbon fibre racing wheel that sport a built-in display. The cockpit is surrounded by clusters of control knobs and buttons to adjust steering calibration, traction control levels, brake balance, engine strategies, and toggle the pit limiter.

The MCXtrema's cockpit sees Maserati taking on a focused and futuristic approach, the latter evident through the steering wheel with a built-in display.

Though presented as a track-focused racer, a host of interior options, including a passenger's seat, rear-view camera display, telemetry recording, and tyre pressure monitoring system, point to the Maserati’s luxury positioning.  Additional upgrades even include carbon-ceramic Brembo CCMR ventilated brakes.

Just 62 units of the Maserati MCXtrema will be built, and all are already spoken for, each tagged at an undisclosed sum – reportedly exceeding seven figures. Maserati adds production of the MCXtrema will commence in the second half of 2024 before deliveries begin in autumn.