2026 Maserati MCPura revealed
It's only when parked alongside the MC20 you'll see how very different it is from the sleek five-year-old supercar it replaces.
Claimed to be the result of more than 2000 hours wind tunnel testing and thousands more spent on advanced fluid dynamics simulations, speak to the wind wrangler, or aerodynamicist as they're more commonly known, and they will go to great lengths explaining how different the MCPura, compared to its predecessor.
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2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
Maybe they're right, after all the entire lower half of the body is new from the front bumper, rear diffuser, side skirts and underbody.
Peek under a MCPura and there's supposed to be fancy vortex generators and less exciting-sounding air channels that carefully manage wind to that enlarged rear diffuser.
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2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
At the same time other air benders were finessing how to extract hot air from an engine, while channelling cold fresh air to a hungry twin-turbo V6. â¨â¨If it all sounds complex, it is – and the result is a car that offers less lift and more downforce without any naughty speed-sapping drag.
Pop open one of the still-glorious butterfly doors and you're greeted by wall-to-wall Alcantara – the suede-like material beloved by motorsport because it is light, hard-wearing and UV-proof.
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2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
Other changes include the introduction of a flat-topped steering wheel, which is unusual and apparently helps improve visibility ahead and links the new Maserati supercar with the GT2 racer that competes on the weekend.
Under the rear bonnet, Maserati hasn't been foolish by adding any electrification to its already-advanced twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. In the latest Lamborghini Temerario the extra hybrid tech saw the kerbweight climb over the model it replaces by an astonishing 300kg.
2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
Sadly, engineers haven't managed to liberate any more power from the 'Nettuno' engine's advanced twin-combustion tech, but both 470kW of power and 730Nm of torque seems to suffice and, compared with a swift-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, a 0-100km/h dash takes just 2.9 seconds, which is actually a few tenths off the pace in the new crazy age of electrified supercars.
Along with the new downforce figures, Maserati hasn't announced what exactly has occurred when it comes to suspension changes but has said that the Android-powered 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen now comes with some of the same track-focused telemetry developed for the hard-core GT2 Stradale, suggesting more of a hard edge.
2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
Enhancing agility both on road and track is the MCPura remains based around a full carbon-fibre monocoque, instead of the less exotic aluminium spaceframe favoured by the Ferrari 296, that means it weighs just 1475kg – the same as the MC20.
There was little wrong with the way the old Maserati supercar demolished a cross-country sprint and the new MCPura is expected to only elevate near-class-best dynamics, although if we're honest the droptop Cielo roadster was always our pick and the new one now throws in some fancy electrochromic roof tech into the mix which can, at the touch of a button, turn the clear glass to opaque.
2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
The same tech also enhances thermal insulation and ensures the Maser's cabin stays cool in hot weather and warm when it gets chilly, making the droptop even more desirable.
Now available in ten colours, including the wild glass-prism-mimicking matte Ai Aqua Rainbow hue it was launched with, Maserati will allow owners to customise their new supercar using its bespoke Fuoriserie division which can realise even the wildest imaginations in automotive forms.
2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
Available to order now with first deliveries expected to take place either before the end of this year or early in 2026, prices for the new Maserati MCPURA are expected to hover around the $500k mark, with the Cielo roadster commanding a premium of around $65,000.
To sum up, the MCPura is a facelift that doesn't look like a facelift – normally we'd lambast any car-maker for not being brave enough to embrace change but when you remember the MC20 remains one of the most beautiful supercars any amount of money can buy, who can blame Maserari?
2026 Maserati MCPura. Picture: Supplied
The new name, meanwhile, is less easy to forgive. Why would you want to plough half a million dollars into a car that sounds like a drink you get with a Happy Meal.
2026 Maserati MCPuraâ¨
PRICE: About $510,000+ plus on-road costs â¨â¨
ENGINE: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, 470kW/730Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICING: Three years/unlimited km, 12 months/15,000kmâ¨
SAFETY: Four airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection,
Matrix LED adaptive headlights
THIRST: 11.5L/100km (WLTP Combined)â¨
CARGO: 150 litresâ¨
SPARE: Repair kit
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