The 2026 Maserati MCPura coupe and MCPura Cielo roadster have both been unwrapped at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
More of an evolution of the current MC20 than a complete reskin of the supercar that was introduced back in 2020, the new Maserati MCPura pinches design elements and innovations developed on the latest GT2 Stradale.
It’s a bid to keep it fresh against newer rivals like the Ferrari 296 GTB and the inbound Lamborghini Temerario.
Ensuring you don’t miss it at Goodwood the new MCPura is painted in a wild new Ai Aqua Rainbow hue that gives it a rainbow-coloured appearance, mimicking a glass prism.
In the flesh, aside from the new MCPura badges and some aggressively styled rims, it isn’t immediately obvious what’s happened on the outside of the Maserati supercar, aside from it featuring a sharper take on the firm’s striking ‘shark nose’.
Instead, designers say you must look lower to discover the fruit of their labours.
Said to be the work of more than 2000 hours in the wind tunnel and thousands of advanced fluid dynamics simulations, the lower front and rear body and side skirts are new.
Under the skin, the advanced air bending includes new vortex generators, additional venting channels plus a fresh rear diffuser. It has all been implemented to reduce lift over the front axle, while boosting downforce without adding speed-sapping drag.
As well as performance, engineers also worked hard to boost the efficiency of MCPura’s cooling system, improving the air intakes on the front bonnet and side panels that feed air into the engine intake and intercooler. The lower side inlets, meanwhile, channel fresh air to the radiators.
For the first time, there’s also the option of a new oversized rear spoiler that is said to work with the bigger and more effective diffuser.
Access to the cabin remains via a pair of dramatic butterfly doors where you discover an interior almost entirely covered in Alcantara. The lightweight material is used to wrap the door panels, dash, seats and the MCPura’s new steering wheel.
Speaking of which, it’s new for the MCPura, with the Italian supercar adopting a flat-topped rim inspired by the ones used in GT2 racing that provides a better view of the road ahead.
For the first time, the steering wheel in the coupe gains the option of LED shift lights. Behind it are the generously proportioned shift paddles that remain mounted to the steering column and are now available in either dark aluminium or carbon-fibre as part of the carbon-fibre interior pack.
Like before, engineers claim the new MCPura is one of the lightest supercars you can buy, tipping the scales at just 1475kg.
Carrying over is the full carbon-fibre monocoque that is both ultra-rigid and lightweight – so much so that it doesn't need any extra strengthening for the Cielo roadster version.
The open-air Cielo becomes even more desirable with the introduction of the MCPura as it now features a retractable glass roof that can open or close in just 12 seconds.
Featuring state-of-the-art electrochromic tech, drivers can switch from clear to opaque at the touch of a button. The same glazing also offers best-in-class thermal insulation, keeping the cabin warm in cold conditions and cool under the blazing sun.
The current MC20’s mid-ship-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine lives on and escapes electrification delivering 470kW and 730Nm. The ‘Nettuno’ unit combines a high compression ratio with twin spark plugs, as well as an F1-derived pre-chamber combustion technique.
Since power and weight remain the same, it’s unsurprising that the MCPura is no quicker than before, with 0-100km/h taking an identical 2.9 seconds, while the top speed is more than 325km/h.
Like before, the MCPura comes with five different driving modes Wet, GT, Sport, Corsa and ESC Off – all adjust engine boost, pedal sensitivity, gear shift speed, the adaptive dampers, traction control and when the exhaust valves open for full noise.
Usefully, the suspension system can then be altered independently of the driving modes, reducing the dampers’ firmness in both sport and Corsa modes if you find yourself on a bumpy road or track.
Maserati believes once owners experience the retuned suspension and improved aerodynamics, they'll spend more time exploring the MCPura's limits. Hence the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) that runs the firm’s latest Android-based operating system now offers the telemetry introduced with the GT2 Stradale. It displays data relating to the turbo, torque output and oil pressure.
On track you can even monitor temperatures of the engine, transmission and how hot the carbon-ceramic brakes are getting after big stops in real time.
The system still works with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that is combined with a 10.25-inch infotainment system.
Finally, the MCPura comes with a lightweight six-speaker stereo, although many will be tempted to forgive a few kilos and upgrade to the more powerful premium 12-speaker Sonus Faber sound system.
As well as the new rainbow-coloured paint, the MCPura is available in up to 10 different hues, including a new Devil Orange – and if that’s not enough the Italian brand will happily direct you to its Fuoriserie bespoke division to create your own one-of-one model.
Maserati has announced that the MCPura is available to order now with first deliveries expected to take place either before the end of this year or early in 2026.
Pricing will be announced closer to its local introduction but currently the MC20 coupe costs $510,000 plus on-roads, while the MC20 Cielo roadster is $575,000.