Tuesday 18th June 2024

Oof: new MC20 Leggenda lives up to name 

Maserati launches brace of limited edition liveries to mark 20 years since its return to racing

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We probably don’t talk about the Maserati MC20 enough. Given the state of play elsewhere, we should probably all be down on our knees on a daily basis thanking God that it’s still possible to buy a mid-engined, drop-dead gorgeous and enthralling-to-drive supercar with 630hp from a twin-turbocharged V6. Maserati thinks we should be talking about it more, too - which is probably why it has just launched two special edition models, ostensibly to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the firm’s return to racing. 

In fairness, that return does tend to stick in the memory because of course it featured the MC12 - not just an eventual success in the FIA GT Championship, but also a once-in-a-lifetime V12-powered road car. The MC12 has always been cited as the inspiration for the MC20, so the reasoning behind the limited edition MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda is straightforward - as is the livery chosen for both cars, which will each be limited to 20 examples. 

On the basis that the Icona is based on the MC12 Stradale, it will likely seem familiar. In fact, you may have seen something very much like the Bianco Audace Matte and Blu Stradale livery before, and that’s because it was already a (very expensive) option via the Fuoriserie personalisation programme. To distinguish the Icona from any previous example, you get some additional logos, including the Italian flag on the door, as well as a contrasting hubcap design on the chrome-plated Trident design wheels and four-way monocoque racing seats inside. 

It’s a great look, clearly - but on the basis that there’s already a Cielo very much like it for sale on PH right now - we’ve reserved a deeper level of appreciation for the Leggenda; one, because it has a better name, and two because the Nero Essenza and Digital Mint Matte (mimicking the livery of the championship-winning Vitaphone Racing team) is a proper head-turner. It gets a similar level of additional detailing, including (brilliantly) the Trident in yellow. Oh you also get badges on the engine cover that say, “ICONA. UNA DI 20” or “LEGGENDA. UNA DI 20”. No word yet on how much the firm is charging for the pleasure, but expect the hardcore Maserati fan to have already announced ‘SOLD’ down the phone this lunchtime. 

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• Maserati goes back to black with new MC20 Notte
• 2023 Maserati MC20 Cielo | UK Review

 

 

[chrisironside]

The blue and white one looks ok, but I'd prefer a white or grey one.
The other one is really quite unpleasant imo.

[asci.white]

I wonder if they will ever give the model the 'longtail' treatment for GT racing.

Lovely looking car, although a more general colour does seam to lend itself to the shape.

[C5_Steve]

Blue and white one is stunning but that black and mint green one is shockingly bad IMO. Doesn't work at all.

[DannyScene]

As above the MC12 one looks great, the mint and black one looks terrible

[matrignano]

Struggling to sell them already, so need to come up with special editions that don’t add much?

[MyV10BarksAndBites]

Loving the MC12 paint.... Will they do a longtail?

[nismo48]

That shade of Turquoise is rather nice..
Car is not bad

[pycraft]

matrignano said:

Struggling to sell them already, so need to come up with special editions that don’t add much?

I can't tell if that's a question or a statement. Are they struggling to sell them? Given the positive press, if they are struggling is it because the brand has been tarnished by the likes of the Ghibli and the Levante?

[InfamousK]

Does anyone else see a lot of F430 on the rear quarter with the air intake?

Lovely car though, saw one a year or two ago and it had real presence.

[gruppeb86]

matrignano said:

Struggling to sell them already, so need to come up with special editions that don’t add much?

I agree. Especially if a colour scheme is very niche.

[Wren-went]

Wouldn't say No to either colour .