MC20

Make
Maserati
Segment
Coupe

Maserati has finally got with the times and committed to electrification across its entire lineup within the next five years, but the brand has also got a remarkable non-electric powertrain in the upcoming Maserati MC20, a supercar that we're very excited about. We've been keeping a close eye on its testing as it gears up for production and recently, it's been spotted at Ferrari's Fiorano test circuit, but as important as it is to ensure that the supercar can handle the track in the temperate climes of western Europe, it also needs to be able to handle the heat of more extreme regions. That's why the MC20 is in South Africa for hot-weather testing.

South African journalist and all-round nice guy Jacob Moshokoa got the above shot of the MC20 testing in Upington, one of the country's hottest regions. As the sticker on the rear fascia indicates, this is a prototype that is out in the hot weather to ensure that the new supercar can cope with the heat while running at high speeds, and the Upington region, being a particularly sparse area of the country, is an oft-used place for manufacturers to do this sort of R&D, with BMW and the VW Group regularly testing out all sorts of exotica in the region.

Simultaneously, while this model is doing hot-weather high-speed runs, another test vehicle is at the Modena circuit in Italy, with this one wearing an interesting camo wrap.

We're a bit surprised as to why this car is wearing camouflage at all, seeing as the MC20's configurator is live and we know what the car will look like, but perhaps Maserati is working on some optional aero tweaks. Whatever the reasoning, the MC20's testing is clearly in full swing in various regions across the globe. With the MC20's engine being the first in over two decades that Maserati has produced on its own without Ferrari's involvement, this testing is especially important to ensure that the brand's renaissance in electrification and power plant development doesn't end up doing the brand more harm than good. Deliveries are expected to start very soon, with reports stating we'll see the first customer cars on the road "early in 2021".