Maserati’s ambitious plans to electrify its MC20 supercar have hit a snag. The highly anticipated MC20 Folgore, slated for a 2024 release, promised blistering performance with three electric motors generating around 800 horsepower and electric torque vectoring.
But the automotive landscape is constantly shifting. Reportedly, Maserati has decided to cancel the EV project. Instead, the MC20 will undergo a facelift, potentially receiving a power boost for its existing gasoline engine.
Originally, the MC20 Folgore was a key part of Maserati’s ‘Dare Forward 2030’ plan, with the company even unveiling a chassis model that showcased the battery pack’s placement where the V6 engine normally resides. However, according to Auto Express, the project has been outright canceled.
While there’s a possibility the project could be revived in the future, it seems unlikely. Mariangela Del Vecchio, Maserati North Europe’s boss, confirmed the cancellation. “The Folgore has currently been discontinued because of a lower demand of BEV in the super-sports car segment,” she stated. Del Vecchio did not comment on how this decision might affect the company’s wider EV strategy, but it may have substantial ramifications since Maserati has already announced its intention to go fully electric by the end of the decade.
Instead of a fully electric powertrain, Maserati will be investing in a facelift for the existing MC20 model. Del Vecchio revealed, “We will have a revised version in the second half of the year.” She further added, “I’m sure our CEO will be keen that it looks different.” This suggests the refresh will include exterior modifications, possibly interior updates, and the usual cosmetic enhancements.
Additionally, Auto Express speculates that the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V6 engine, which currently produces 621 horsepower, might receive a power upgrade. The Nettuno V6 shares design commonalities with Ferrari’s similarly sized V6 engine, which can produce over 770 horsepower, without hybrid enhancements, signaling the potential for a significant performance increase in the facelifted MC20.
This news comes shortly after Stellantis made a US$1.57 billion investment write-off in Maserati, leading to the cancellation of some projects. While the MC20 Folgore is now apparently among those, it is considered unlikely that Maserati would spend that much on its supercar alone. In the meantime, the Italian brand is left with limited offerings, seeing that the gas versions of its Quattroporte, Levante, and Ghibli models were discontinued in the US this year.
