Why the MC20 is far from the most popular supercar The Maserati MC20 has been with us for four years now. Launched in 2021, it was Maserati’s first official mid-engine dream machine since the last Merak rolled off the production line in 1981 (not counting the extreme MC12 hypercar), almost forty years prior. Unlike most modern supercars that use hybrid technology, the MC20 remains charmingly old-school. Using a carbon-fibre tub similar to what is found in most McLarens and powering it is a 3.0l Twin-Turbo V6, that though Maserati claims as an all-new engine, actually on closer inspection, shares the same firing order as an Alfa Giulia V6. Whilst it is undoubtedly a beautiful car, it must be said in terms of metrics the MC20 falls rather short. Its engine produces 621 horsepower, which in today's day and age, makes it the least powerful supercar on sale. And despite the carbon fibre construction, the car weighs a pulverising 1.7 tonnes. That’s more than a Ferrari 296 and a McLaren Artura, Read More The Bespoke MC20 Maserati per Maserati – The Heirloom to the Maserati Family As a result, 0-62 takes 3.3 seconds and the top speed is just north of 202mph, which though speedy, actually makes it the slowest supercar on sale. Similarly, though it’s a delight to drive, it lacks the precision of a McLaren, the drama of a Lambo and the all-together perfect pitch of a Ferrari. And to top it all off, it starts from $290,000, before options, more than both a Porsche 911 Turbo S and a McLaren Artura, both of which are faster and more complete. Maserati have launched variants of the MC20 including the convertible Cielo variant and the limited-run, 914-built track-hard GT2 Stradale variant. However, don’t think even this variant is considered a solid investment. By the time you splash over $400,000 on a Stradale, you’ll have just under half its value by the second year of ownership. Not to mention, Maserati isn’t exactly in a stronghold at the moment. The brand has seen a 60% decline in sales last year, selling just 11,300 units. Read More Maserati Celebrates its 110th Birthday: The Legacy of the Trident In fact, by 2025, Maserati have only shifted just over 3000 MC20s worldwide, significantly less than all of its key competitors. Undoubtedly the MC20 has its charm and it’s by no means a bad car. It’s just that, like most things, Maserati builds, it's somewhat underwhelming and definitely niche. Making the MC20 Autonomous Yet somehow, a team at Milan’s Polytechnic AIDA team believed there was potential with the MC20. Using cutting-edge sensors, machine-learning algorithms, and precision control software, the AIDA team have created a completely autonomously driven MC20. It should be noted that this isn’t Maserati’s first divulge into autonomous driving. The brand previously tested a self-driving GranCabrio in the 1000 Miglia. Prof Sergio Matteo Savaresi, leader of the AIDA explained, "This test pushes the boundaries of autonomous driving by improving safety and reliability. Conducted in a controlled environment, it assesses AI stability, robustness, and reaction time. Enhancing safety even for low-speed urban mobility situations." The Record-Breaking Run Before this run, the Indy Autonomous Challenge AV-21, a dedicated autonomous racer, held the title for the highest autonomous top speed. In April 2022, at the 2.8 mile-long, Kennedy Space Centre, this Indy Racer achieved an impressive 192.8mph. A target that even a bespoke supercar, with the limitations that a road car would struggle to achieve. However at the same Kennedy Space Centre, three years following this run, the Autonomous AIDA-controlled MC20 blitzed the record, achieving a frankly impressive 197.7mph. What makes it especially astonishing is that the MC20s top speed is 202mph. This means the AIDA team were quite literally pushing this MC20 to the max. It should be worth noting that Maserati themselves previously ran an autonomous MC20 at the Piacenza Military Airport, at 177mph. An impressive feat undoubtedly but the fact that an independent team could run this car quicker than the people who built it is surprising. And really showcases that Maserati delivers results as underwhelming as their cars. Paul Mitchell, CEO of IAC, stated “These world speed records are more than just demonstrations of future technology; they represent the cutting edge of AI-driver software and robotics hardware. Achieving such speeds with a street car helps transition autonomous racing learnings into safe, high-speed mobility for everyday highways.” Are Autonomous Top-Speed Runs the Future? Now undoubtedly this record doesn’t really change anything about the MC20. It’s still far from the best supercar of the moment and certainly doesn’t establish this car as a true game-changer or record-breaker. But the fact that AI can push this thing to within 97% of its claimed top speed proves that AI has the capabilities that even a racing driver can’t achieve. Undoubtedly if this is what AI can do with the semi-quick MC20, imagine what it could do with a Bugatti Tourbillon? However, that being said, whilst this test is impressive, in showing the capabilities of AI, as well as finally achieving the goal for the MC20, one must question whether there is any implication of soul. Part of what made top-speed runs and blistering lap records is the skill, talent, bravery and emotion of the driver behind the wheel. Pushing himself to the max, and really showcasing how far, we as humans are willing to push ourselves and our souls to break records. Souls that AI, no matter how good they are, can never ever have. Source: Top Gear
