The last 40 years of Maserati’s history suggest that this venerable Italian manufacturer offers fast family cars designed to Balance the family’s demands for a practical vehicle with the edgy Italian driving experience or luxurious touring cars such as the GranTurismo. However, the basic idea that the Maserati brothers started with 121 years ago today was different. It was about providing racing machines capable of conquering and dominating tracks, just as the GT2 car participating in the Fanatec GT2 European Series by Pirelli races recently did, from which the GT2 Stradale that we are testing on the Ascari circuit emerged.
Although the car’s exterior lines are similar to what is available to MC20 on which it is based, what is hidden is greater. Thanks to the modification process that the famous car engine underwent, which is characterised by the dual combustion chamber technology, the car now enjoys an additional 10 BHP of power. Suppose this extra power is not a significant increase; the dynamic modifications that the vehicle received are. as all the elements that distinguish the GT2 racing car found their way to this car from the larger air intakes to cool the engine, the aerodynamic structure, the wheel arches, and the large GT2 wing fixed with screws at the rear.
It’s not a complete copy-paste from the race car, as the front and rear design have had their share of modifications to be more aggressive than what is available for the MC20 on the one hand and less brutal than what is available for the race version of the car on the other hand. There is a lot of carbon fibre, from the rear wing to the panels on the hood, roof, fascias, air vents, and side skirts; in short, there are a lot of parts made of this extreme material.
Mechanically, the Nettuno 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a turbocharger has been modified to generate 631 horsepower at 7,500 rpm by redesigning the exhaust system. However, the most important thing here is the thermal management of the engine, as it has been designed entirely to ensure adequate cooling for the engine even when driving at maximum speed on the race track for long periods.
In terms of performance, the GT2 Stradale accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in just 2.8 seconds, almost half a second faster than its conventional sibling, the MC20.
This result is achieved by the additional power and many other elements, including a 60 kg weight reduction compared to the standard MC20. Much aerodynamic work has also been done, including a massive rear wing that can be adjusted in three positions.
A redesigned diffuser protrudes below the wing, helping to provide downforce and suck air through the underbody channels. The GT2 Stradale can generate 500kg of downforce at 278kmph in its most aggressive setting. To illustrate the difference this car will have on the racetrack compared to its traditional sibling, the MC20, it is enough to mention that the downforce generated by the GT2’s front end alone is more than 90 percent of that generated by the entire MC20 body.
Just as the car’s exterior blends elegance and aggression, this also applies to the driving experience. When activating the Corsa driving mode and adopting a fast driving style, you will find that the GT2 Stradale is a high-performance track weapon capable of providing a driving experience worthy of the GT2 term included in the name. It can enter the Ascari circuit’s harsh turns with confidence and grip.
On the other hand, when you want to cruise generally on the road, you will find that the term Stradale, which means road in Italian, suits the character of the car when adopting a comfortable driving style, as the vehicle then provides a comfortable ride with a suspension able to balance the requirements of controlling the car’s dynamic movement with comfort while driving on poorly paved roads. At the same time, the engine then turns to smooth performance far from ferocity.
Like the rest of the car, the interior design of the GT2 Stradale is supposed to reconcile the gentleness of the MC20 cabin design with the aggression of the GT2 racing cabin, with dark surfaces to reduce glare and maintain focus on driving. There is a volume control knob, a driving mode knob, a reverse button, as well as a screen that provides the ability to control the rest of the car’s functions.
The seats enjoy an attractive racing style but do not compromise on the comfort they provide through the thick cushions fixed to their basic carbon fibre frame.
Price and verdict
For AED 1.5 million or $407,000, the Maserati GT2 Stradale blends Italian elegance with racing spirit and tracks ferocity with everyday practicality. During a controversial electrification transformation in the global automotive industry, it will be limited to just 914 units, meaning that the GT2 Stradale is on its way to becoming a rare classic car.
