McLaren GT vs Maserati MC20: That's Amore

Back in 1953, Dean Martin skillfully combined his native English with his Italian background in an eponymous song – an evergreen song that has long been ingrained in music history.

From a automotive perspective, the mid-engined GT also comes from the Italian-speaking region, although it is associated with McLaren GT it was the Anglo-Saxon who recently brought this genre back into focus. Write to us if we have forgotten something, but a short investigation among colleagues has shown that the name of the intellectual ancestor of the McLaren GT is basically attached to maserati Excellent from the early 1970s: compact, two-seater, mid-engine, V8.

That makes it all the more legitimate that Maserati is now poaching in this area with the new MC20. The Italian can’t match the GT’s cruising talents, but at the 2020 presentation Maserati deliberately talked about the GT as a high-performance sports car and not a super sports car. (Maserati MC20 Cielo: The Italian builder of heaven)

There are no fender flares, and yet the MC20 feels right at home on the racetrack.

At the time we still thought that we might want to underestimate the situation if the finished production model does not live up to the performance promised by the excellent bodywork from the pen of German designer Klaus Busse in the first tests on the race track.

But Maserati quickly dispelled these doubts when, a few editions ago (edition 8/2022), they dared to compete with the MC20 in our ultimate uncompromising test. And he did very well, after all he was in a very bad mood.

The difficult comparison fails for McLaren

Lausitzring lap time: 1:31.41 minutes, a tenth faster than one Audi R8 The V10 performance finished the course in 2019. But a good two seconds slower than that McLaren 600LT from the previous test.

Unfortunately, this exact match failed McLaren, which theoretically does not see the GT on the race track and therefore does not allow lap times or readings. It’s really sad, because based on our demos, we rate the GT at the MC20 level. Maybe not in terms of racing emotions, but at least in terms of pure numbers.

Weapons are evenly distributed: 630 hp here, 620 there, the Italians manage 100 Nm more torque despite the smaller engine. The modern V6 displaced by three liters and the innovative ignition chamber from Formula 1 has become the best engine. Despite the biturbo concept, it responds immediately and its power output can be reduced well.

On the other hand, the V8 in the McLaren is definitely not a bad engine, quite the opposite. Its basic definition is more carefully laid out here. Fortunately, salt and pepper shakers are available in the form of buttons and rotary controls for driving modes, so that the customer can adjust the level of spiciness according to their taste. It’s almost reserved and comfortable or rock-solid and more responsive. To some extent, everything is in it.

456 kW (620 hp) at 7500 rpm

Rear wheel, 7-speed dual clutch

463 kW (630 hp) at 7500 rpm

730 Nm at 3000-5500 rpm

Rear wheel, 8-speed dual clutch

Maserati also manages this spread, but generally places its layout windows a little further in the sport direction. But McLaren shines with its switching mechanism. A real rocker switch made entirely of carbon fiber is placed in the column. No paddles, a real saw. This means that when the right is pulled to shift in a higher gear, the left side moves away from the driver.

From 0 to 100 in second gear

In theory, the driver could also go down by pushing the rocket switch on his right side. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is a good fit, 0 to 100 is easy in second gear, but the Maserati with its eight-speed DCT can do that too – albeit a tad tighter.

Its shift gate is controlled by very rough carbon paddles, which, however, are firmly attached to the steering column and therefore do not rotate. Because of its sheer size, however, this doesn’t bother you like it does with other elite athletes.

We have already dealt with the performance data, now we come to the driving performance. McLaren says 3.2 seconds to 100 km / h from a standing start and 9 to 200 km / h. Maserati is sharper with 2.9/8.8 – which matches the basic concept.

Unfortunately, the MC20 also achieved a value of one hundred in less than three seconds on our measuring device, to accelerate it measured 9.0 – ie the same as the British, who, however, demand from us confirmation of factory values.

McLaren more luxury and more comfortable

But let’s move on to the unusual topics of the best sports car comparisons: the interior, the “look and feel” so to speak. McLaren certainly has the most luxurious and comfortable interior in this curvy area emblem carried from Working.

Leather and Alcantara everywhere you look, comfortable seats that see more lateral support as an additional feature, a high-quality sound system from Bowers & Wilkins as standard and storage options: small compartments in the doors, nets, cup holders, place. for that Smartphone – simply everything that makes driving fun.

In addition, our model painted in “Abyss Black” is equipped with an electrochromic and switchable glass roof (8,500 euros). Depending on your situation, the GT offers an open view of the sky or a closed roof.

What makes it truly unique in this segment, however, is its trunk and space above the carefully insulated engine cover. Letting the large tailgate open electronically, you first have a clear view of the exposed carbon frame construction of the roofline.

McLaren doesn’t just use any carbon fiber here: it has to be forged. Some manufacturers, such as Lamborghini, charge a horrendous surcharge for this. According to the specifications, 420 liters of cargo fit in the rear end. In addition, there is a super usable, because the depth of 150 liters in front. The rear trunk looks small, but its full length makes it easy to use.

MC20 12,000 euros more expensive

A golf bag, snowboard or skis should fit perfectly. We couldn’t test it because the author didn’t test it golf it was playing and it was summer, but the descaling system in the basement needed new salt. So: go to the hardware store, carry four 25 kg bags, that’s it! Looks of other customers – priceless.

This is possible for Maserati to a lesser extent. Its 100-liter compartment in the back is complemented by a small 50-liter compartment. It’s enough for a short weekend trip, but the partner packs so badly, an assistant must be inside Quattroporte follow suit.
We’ve never been too excited about the storage space and trunks in the 600-plus horsepower group, but let’s get to the financial point at the very end.

At launch, Maserati priced the MC20 at €210,000. This will be more than 198,000 euros for McLaren. However, the base price is now 20,000 euros higher. Functionality offers more usability, but more emotional touch and appeal comes from Modena.