Maserati’s racing history brings to life the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda, two Special Series vehicles created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Trident’s return to competition – in 2004, after 37 years away from the scene – with the iconic and victorious MC12.
MC12, first launched in a road version and destined to leave its mark on the track by becoming a benchmark in GT championships, inspired the Maserati MC20 super sports car. The 100% Made in Italy MC20 halo car marked the beginning of a new era for Maserati in 2020, as the first model equipped with the innovative V6 Nettuno engine.
The two MC20 Special Series – to be offered in a limited edition of 20 units each – feature special liveries and exclusive content inspired by the MC12 Stradale and MC12 GT1 Vitaphone liveries, respectively.
The Maserati MC20 Icona’s livery conjures one of the most iconic Maseratis ever: the colors are the same as its 2004 predecessor, the MC12 Stradale, a tribute to the style of the Maserati Trofeo Light when it ran in the 24 Hours of Daytona, which was the first car to be inspired by the Maserati Birdcage Type 61, produced between 1959 and 1961.
Several features from the Fuoriserie Personalisation Program are included in the MC20 Icona Bianco Audace Matte and Blu Stradale livery, including exclusive details for refined customization. The Maserati Fuoriserie logo in Bianco Audace stands out on the side of the livery, in the lower panels near the rear wheels, with the Italian flag logo positioned on the door under the MC20 lettering.
In the middle of the chrome-plated wheels, with the specific Trident design, the hubcaps are silver with the Trident logo in contrasting blue. The brake calipers are also painted blue, the mirrors come with an auto-dimming feature and the engine cover is made of carbon fiber.
The history of the MC20 Leggenda also lies in its very name; it sports a livery in Nero Essenza and Digital Mint Matte to take up the unmistakable colors of the award-winning MC12 GT1 under the Vitaphone Racing team: a car that accomplished the feat of bringing home the record of three victories and two placings as runner-up in the 24 Hours of Spa.
The Fuoriserie features of the MC20 Leggenda include trident wheels in Nero Lucido with Nero Opaco and Trident Digital Mint hubcaps; the Trident logo in yellow on the grille, doors, and C-pillar; finally, brake calipers painted black.
The Fuoriserie package for the two special series is completed with racing interiors: lightweight 4-way monocoque racing seats – the central section in Nero/Blu on a silver background for Icona, or in Nero on a silver background for Leggenda – and Trident embroidery on the headrest together with the words “Icona” or “Leggenda”, depending on the model.
On the cover over the powerful Nettuno engine is a badge with the wording “ICONA. UNA DI 20” or “LEGGENDA. UNA DI 20.”
The interior of the two cars also features the sophisticated Sonus faber sound system. Other features shared by both versions include the carbon fiber interior package, electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD), suspension lifter, blind stop and rear cross path systems, and finally mats in the front and in the boot.
The MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beginning of a golden age for the Trident on track, with the legendary MC12 GT1: between 2004 and 2010, it took 27 victories in the FIA GT Championships, three times entering its name on the roll of honor of the 24 Hours of Spa, and won six Teams’ championships with Vitaphone Racing and five Drivers’ championships – including two FIA GT1 World Championships – as well as two Constructors’ championships for Maserati.
In 2004, the MC12 Stradale gave impetus to Maserati’s racing fervor: designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, with its Ferrari-derived 12-cylinder engine (MC stands for “Maserati Corse”, 12 refers to the V12) it remains the fastest production car Maserati has ever produced – the top speed was 330 km/h with acceleration from 0 to 100 in 3.8 seconds. Only 50 of them were made.
Today, the story of those triumphs and of a car that epitomized Maserati’s sporty spirit and DNA devoted to excellence is reflected in the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda, as if to represent a passing of the baton.
