The Maserati MC20 Is Dead. Long Live the MCPura

Maserati gives its flagship supercar the slightest of facelifts and a new name.

Maserati MCPURA Cielo - In studio

Photo by: Maserati

Chris Perkins

By: Chris Perkins

Jul 10, 2025 at 6:00am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

The MC20 hasn’t done for Maserati what the company had hoped. Debuting in 2020 as a flagship for a revived Maserati, the MC20 has sold slowly as the rest of the brand has struggled. Despite critical acclaim, the MC20 hasn’t eaten into the supercar establishment. For 2026, Maserati has tweaked the MC20 and given it a new name, MCPura.

MC stands for Maserati Corse, the brand’s racing program, and “pura” means “pure” in Italian. The name is perhaps a reflection that, unlike many of its supercar rivals—Ferrari 296, Lamborghini Temerario, McLaren Artura—the MCPura has kept things old-school. No hybrid system here.

Maserati MCPURA Cielo - In studio

Photos by: Maserati

Mechanically, the MCPura is largely the same as the MC20, with just a few detail changes. That means a carbon-fiber tub, a 621-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 driving the rear wheels, and an optional convertible version, the Cielo. The only meaningful differences between MC20 and MCPura are new bumpers, tweaked aerodynamics, new color options, and more Alcantara for the interior.

The engine is particularly interesting. Based loosely on the Alfa Romeo V-6—which itself is based on Ferrari’s twin-turbo V-8—this 3.0-liter engine is the only road car to feature pre-chamber ignition. Essentially, you have a tiny separate combustion chamber with its own spark plug above the main chamber, which helps speed up the combustion. The 621-hp power peak comes at an impressive 7,500 rpm, while the 538 pound-feet torque peak comes between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm. The transmission is the same eight-speed Tremec dual-clutch Chevrolet uses in the Corvette.

Maserati worked with technical partner Dallara—Italy’s most successful race car manufacturer—to refine the aerodynamics of the MCPura in the search for better efficiency. There’s a larger optional spoiler now available, fascias inspired by the GT2 Stradale, and various underbody tweaks. Maserati also says it worked to improve the aerodynamics and heat management of the Cielo with its roof open, so there’s no loss in performance.

Maserati MCPURA - In Studio

Photo by: Maserati

In addition to the new Alcantara interior trim, the MCPura coupe gets the same optional carbon-fiber steering wheel from the GT2 Stradale with shift lights. Both models get an updated infotainment system with Performance Pages, which provides all sorts of real-time vehicle data on the center screen. Otherwise, it’s the same, understated cabin from the MC20.

What do you think?

View

Comments

Maserati is keeping production fairly limited for the MCPura. The US market will get 120 numbered examples for the 2026 model year, while Canada gets just 10. This accounts for around a third of all MCPura production for the 2026 model year. Order books for the MCPura open up tomorrow, and Maserati expects the first production to arrive by the end of 2025, with pricing announced around then.

Clearly, Maserati is not in a position to take big swings with its supercar right now, but as the competition goes all hybrid, it does have a unique offering here. The question remains if this is enough. And, if you don’t want to wait for an MCPura, you can still find a handful of new MC20s on dealer lots with deep discounts.