The Goodwood Festival of Speed always has something 'good' in store, and the 2025 version is no exception. One interesting revelation this year is the successor to the Maserati M20. Going by the moniker MCPURA, it is an evolution of its performance legacy. Built entirely in Italy and developed at the brand's facility in Modena, the MCPURA takes the baton from the MC20, which is being retired after 5 years.
The MCPURA retains the 630-CV V6 Nettuno engine, renowned for its Formula 1-derived pre-chamber combustion system wrapped in a carbon fiber body that blends aesthetics and engineering with Italian flair. The result is a featherweight powerhouse under 1,500 kg, with a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 2.33 kg/CV.
The car's name captures its mission: to distill the Maserati driving ethos into its purest form. This is reflected in the car's exterior and interior detailing, such as the exclusive "Ai Aqua Rainbow" body color courtesy of the Fuoriserie customization program.
The dynamic hue shifts under sunlight to reveal subtle rainbow tones, inspired by refracted white light. Magenta-and-blue Trident insignia, burnished diamond-cut wheels, and Alcantara Ice interiors laser-etched with iridescent Trident graphics complete the futuristic and elegant visual language.
Maserati presented the coupé and Cielo at Goodwood, each expressing a distinct aspect of the car's character. The Cielo features a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) retractable glass roof that can shift from opaque to transparent in just one second. This allows for an immersive, adjustable cabin environment that ranges from cocooned privacy to an open-air, skyward gaze at the press of a button.
Design highlights also include dramatic "Butterfly" doors, which enhance access to the cabin while showcasing the carbon fiber monocoque beneath. Inside, the focus on luxury is no less rigorous.
From handcrafted "S" insignia with over 2,500 stitches to bespoke Alcantara upholstery, the MCPURA interior balances high-performance ambition with meticulous artisanship. Maserati's Fuoriserie division offers over 30 body color options and a wide range of trim and material combinations, all curated in-house in Modena. After all, why would you want your MCPURA looking like any other?
The Nettuno engine also delivers 720 Nm of torque from 3000 rpm. With a power density of 210 CV/liter, it remains one of the most advanced road-legal powertrains on the market, giving the MCPURA razor-sharp responsiveness. With its distinctive V6 growl, every drive becomes an auditory celebration of Maserati performance.
All that sounds great, but one can't help but wonder if this car deserves a new name. It feels more like an MC20 1.5 (not even a 2.0). If you didn't know any better, you could mistake it for an MC20, as they look nearly identical. In contrast, the GT2 Stradale, released last year, while based on the MC20, has its own design identity. No one will mistake that for an MC20.
That said, it's clear that the MC20 delivered a great platform for Maserati to innovate with impressive offerings like the MCXtrema and now the MCPURA. It's only fair to wait to drive one before offering any further opinion on the new car.
