We were previously aware that Maserati had committed to steering away from V8 engines sourced from Ferrari in favor of developing its own turbocharged six- and four-cylinder powertrains. Now, the Italian automaker has officially revealed the six-cylinder engine that will power its upcoming MC20 supercar. Undoubtedly, it’s a stunning piece of machinery.
Dubbed “Nettuno” officially, Maserati’s fresh engine is a twin-turbo 3.0-liter dry-sump V6 packed with an impressive 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque, positioning the MC20 in the same league as the 647-hp Ford GT and 600-hp Nismo GT-R, both propelled by larger 3.5- and 3.8-liter V6 powerplants correspondingly.
Capable of reaching 8,000 rpm, Maserati emphasizes that this V6 is entirely their own creation, crafted entirely in-house. Despite not having a Maserati engine in Formula 1 competition since 1969, the Nettuno engine implements a pre-chamber combustion system with twin-spark plugs borrowed from the modern Grand Prix racing world. Allegedly enhancing both performance and efficiency, this will purportedly mark the first appearance of such a system in a road car engine.
According to Maserati, “a combustion chamber is positioned between the central electrode and the conventional combustion chamber and linked by an array of specially-designed apertures” while “a standard spark plug acts as a backup to ensure consistent combustion when the engine operates at a level not requiring the pre-chamber to engage.” Furthermore, a dual injection system is connected to the fuel supply at 5,076 psi, ostensibly reducing emissions.
Maserati
Although F1-inspired combustion chambers and lateral spark plugs are undoubtedly intriguing, the attention-grabbing carbon engine cover surely deserves a commendation for its cool factor. Perhaps it adds an extra 15 horsepower on its own, who knows?
Anticipate seeing toned-down iterations of Maserati’s novel V6 engine in the brand’s more mainstream models like the GranTurismo, GranCabrio, and the upcoming compact crossover positioned below the Levante. The mid-engined Maserati MC20 will be unveiled during an event slated for Sep. 9-10, reportedly marking Maserati’s return to the realm of racing. The spy shots suggest a traditional mid-engined supercar silhouette.
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