Maserati Project24 unleashed

Maserati has launched a lighter, more powerful, track-focused version of its MC20 supercar that’s called the Maserati Project24.

Created to rival track-only cars like the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 and McLaren Senna GTR, the 2022 Maserati Project24 follows on from the MC12 Versione Corsa that was briefly sold back in 2006.

Maserati says it will build just 62 units.

Releasing only three sketches of the Project24 at this stage, the Italian marque has clearly made huge changes over the regular Maserati MC20.

Sharing the same carbon-fibre monocoque as the MC20, the Project24 sports an entirely new carbon-fibre body that includes some components made of natural fibres.

Featuring motorsport-inspired aerodynamics, the wild new supercar’s advanced air-bending aids extend to a gaping wide front air intake, an F1-style diffuser and a huge rear wing that is connected to a central dorsal fin.

At the rear there’s ultra-slim trident-shaped LEDs and high-mounted exhaust pipes that look different to the standard car.

Under the rear boot lid the twin-turbo 3.0-litre ‘Nettuno’ V6 carries over but gets a pair of uprated turbochargers that boosts total power to 544kW – up from the road car’s 463kW.

Other changes include a new six-speed sequential racing gearbox that replaces the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

A mechanical limited-slip differential also joins the party in place of the electronic limited-slip diff.

Tipping the scales at less than 1250kg, Maserati claims the Project24 is a considerable 250kg lighter than the MC20.

Most of the weight loss comes from liberal use of composites, a stripped-out interior and polycarbonate windows.

There’s no word on just how much downforce the Project24 musters but both front and rear spoilers can be tweaked to adjust the aero for different circuits.

Maximising grip, the extreme Project24 sports a set of forged 18-inch centre-lock rims that are wrapped in slick tyres.

Reining in big speeds are Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with race-spec callipers that get extra cooling.

Carrying over double wishbone suspension from the MC20, there’s adjustable damping and adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars.

Within, there’s a six-point race harness and race seat (the passenger seat is optional), a carbon-fibre steering wheel and adjustable pedal box.

Options available for the Project24 include onboard telemetry, in-car cameras and air jacks to make tyre swapping easier.

Set to come with a seven-figure price tag, Maserati says it will offer track-specific experience and support for each Project24 car.