Yahoo Autos Maserati's GT2 Stradale Is a Road-Going MC20 Racer
The MC20 supercar that launched in 2020 has been a major step forward for Maserati, but of course, the platform had more to unlock beyond what was initially unveiled four years back. So far, Maserati has shown that potential in a race car variant and a track variant — and now the brand is bringing those lessons to the road in the form of the new GT2 Stradale.
The GT2 Stradale is not exactly an MC20. It's a road-going version of the Maserati GT2 race car — which is based on the MC20 and built for the GT2 class. That's distinct from the MCXtrema, another MC20-based track car not built for any particular class. In other words, the GT2 Stradale is not part of the core MC20 model line, but is a road car based on that race car... which is itself based on the MC20. (Confused yet?)
Branding aside, the GT2 Stradale is best thought of as a performance evolution of the MC20. Weight is down by 132 pounds versus the regular production car, while output from the Nettuno twin-turbo V-6 is up 10 horsepower to 640 hp, contributing to a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds. That — plus substantial aerodynamic elements that bring downforce to a claimed 1102 pounds evenly distributed over the car at 174 miles per hour — make the GT2 Stradale five seconds faster than the MC20 around Maserati's preferred 3.5-mile loop at the Balocco proving ground. Despite the added drag, the GT2 Stradale still claims a top speed of 199 mph.
Notably, all that cut weight does not necessarily mean the removal of comfort features. Maserati stresses that the GT2 Stradale is still a viable road car, one that can be equipped with a nose lift and the brand's advanced driver assistance systems. The car even retains a sizable luggage compartment, just in case you want your suitcase to experience all that downforce, too.
Inside, a more spartan interior is highlighted by new Sabelt-designed seats. These can be had in two sizes and fitted with either three-point or four-point harnesses if requested, although the four-point harnesses require the addition of a bar behind the seats. A buyer can also opt for more typical sport seats rather than the racing buckets, if preferred.
Optional performance upgrades come in two packages. The first is headlined by an electronic limited-slip differentual, carbon ceramic brakes, "semi-slick" Michelin tires, and unique calibrations to the car's stability control and ABS systems; a more advanced performance package adds a fire extinguisher and the bar for mounting the aforementioned four-point harness. Both also boast a special driving mode called Corsa Evo, which allows the driver to select between four levels of settings encompassing the car's traction control, stability control, e-LSD tuning, and anti-lock braking. All GT2 Stradales use an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which Maserati says now shifts between gears faster than the transmission does in the MC20.
Pricing, production numbers, and production timelines for the GT2 Stradale have not yet been shared. That said, the standard MC20 starts above $250,000, so the more extreme GT2 Stradale is unlikely to be any more affordable than that.
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