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At the wheel of the Maserati MCPura: a declaration of intent

At the wheel of the Maserati MCPura: a declaration of intent

In an era where plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are dominating the scene, Maserati has decided to go against the grain. It does so with a car that seeks the essence of driving and mechanical pleasure, unfiltered, like the sports cars of the past. The MCPura inherits the essence of the MC20, but refines its design, interior, and emotional connection with the driver.

The name is no coincidence. For months, debate raged in Modena over whether to retain the MC20 name or opt for a new one. The second option, "Pura," won out, as a statement of intent: purity of design, sensations, and combustion. In times of electric silence, Maserati reclaims the essence of a sports car, authentic roar, without hybridization, without adding extra weight.

The two body styles: coupe and convertible (Cielo)
The two body styles: coupe and convertible (Cielo) MASERATI
Design details

The MCPura retains the spirit of the MC20, but is more elegant and Italian. The front end adopts a more aggressive stance, inspired by the GT2 Stradale, the car with which Maserati returned to racing. The side skirts and the new rear diffuser create a tauter, more sculpted silhouette, while the optional spoiler adds a touch of drama that turns the MCPura into a moving sculpture.

And what about the colors? The AI ​​Aqua Rainbow hue, debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, changes depending on the light, as if the car were breathing. It's a liquid blue, with magenta highlights, that appears to move even when stationary. It's hypnotic in person. In the case of the Cielo, the experience is amplified, as the retractable glass roof opens in just 12 seconds and can go from opaque to transparent with a simple touch.

Cabin

Opening the MCPura's butterfly-wing doors is still a spectacle. You're greeted by an unsophisticated interior, where Alcantara covers the seats, doors, and dashboard. Maserati has decided to dispense with traditional leather in favor of a lighter, more technical, and grippier material. Every surface has a purpose; there are no superfluous lines or gratuitous embellishments.

The new steering wheel is an example of this functional purity. Inspired by GT2 racing cars, it has a flattened top and bottom to improve both visibility and handling, and a thickness that's perfect for your hands. In the center are the Start and Launch Control buttons; behind them are the large fixed paddle shifters in dark aluminum or, optionally, carbon fiber. Everything conveys mechanical precision, as if each element were calibrated to the millimeter to match your reflexes.

With 630 HP of combustion

The multimedia system, with two 10.25-inch screens, is better integrated than before and adds the GT2 Stradale's "performance pages," which display turbo boost pressure, brake temperature, and torque output. But the best part of the cabin isn't the digital aspect, but rather a simple harmony that gives the spotlight to the mechanics, not the interface.

When it's time to press the blue button on the steering wheel, the V6 Nettuno awakens with a roar that sends goosebumps roaring down your spine. It's a three-liter, twin-turbo engine with 630 hp and 720 Nm of torque, mounted in a mid-rear position. It's derived directly from Formula 1 thanks to its pre-chamber combustion system with twin spark plugs, a technology that allows for a more efficient mixture and instant response.

At the wheel

From 5,000 rpm onwards, the sound transforms. The metallic, melodious exhaust note fills the cabin and makes it impossible not to smile. At 8,000 rpm, the car continues to push as if there were no limits. There are no annoying vibrations, just a feeling of surgical precision.

In GT mode, the MCPura behaves like a long-distance grand tourer: it shifts smoothly, the engine hums, and the suspension filters the asphalt with a sweetness unbecoming of a sports car of this caliber. But just turn the selector to Corsa and everything changes.

Throttle response is instantaneous, the exhaust valves remain open, and the dual-clutch transmission shifts with delightful force. This is when the MCPura shows its true colors: a car that demands attention and rewards every tenth of a second. Halfway between these two driving modes, we have a Sport mode, plus other modes specifically for slippery surfaces (Wet) and for driving on the track without any assistance, not even the traction control (ESC off).

Less than 1,500 kilos

The secret to that sensation lies beneath the skin. The carbon fiber monocoque, developed in collaboration with Dallara, weighs less than 100 kg and combines rigidity and lightness like few others. The result: less than 1,500 kilograms in weight, with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.33 kg/hp, the best in its class.

The active suspension, with electronically controlled dampers, allows for adaptive damping in milliseconds. Even on rough roads, the car maintains its composure, without bouncing or jerking. The balance is such that you can enter a fast corner with complete confidence: the front axle grips as if reading the road, and the rear axle follows with a fluid, precise, almost artistic movement.

The carbon-ceramic brakes are another lesson in consistency. The first part of the pedal stroke is smooth, just enough to control the application; the rest is pure force. In sporty driving, fatigue is nonexistent.

Driving the MCPura isn't just about acceleration, it's about feeling. The car communicates everything: the weight shifted under braking, the grip gained when braking, the turbo's whisper when you release the throttle. Nothing is artificial. Every gesture has a response, every sound has a reason.

Almost physical connection with the road

And therein lies its greatness. The McPura doesn't need to be the fastest, nor the most technologically advanced. What it offers is an almost physical connection with the road. That complicity that only great Italian cars have been able to create: passion with method, dynamism with precision.

The MCPura is built at Maserati's historic Viale Ciro Menotti plant, the same place where the first Trident model was born over a century ago. The GT2 Stradale and the new GranTurismo and GranCabrio are also assembled there. Each unit passes through the Fuoriserie department, where customers can customize every last detail: paint, stitching, wheels, and commemorative plaques.

Neither against Ferrari nor against Lamborghini

This obsession with craftsmanship is part of its magic. Maserati isn't competing with Ferrari or Lamborghini here; it's competing with itself, with its history, with its promise that there's still room for analog emotion in a digital world.

The Maserati MCPura is a car that makes no apologies for what it is. It doesn't try to justify its combustion engine, its price, or its character. It is, quite simply, the most honest interpretation of what Italian sports luxury means: power, beauty, and emotion.

elmundo

elmundo

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