The delta between a highway automobile and a purpose-built monitor machine is extra usually a spectrum than a spot. Porsche markets its GT3 and GT3 RS as circuit-ready machines, even when the latter is much extra hardcore than the previous. Consider the SF90 Asseto Fiorano versus the SF90 XX in Ferrari phrases. Though one may make a compelling argument that any supercar ought to be track-worthy, I’ll persist with the specials for brevity.
Final 12 months, throughout The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Monterey, Maserati pulled the covers on its first limited-run particular because the Enzo-based MC12. But, the Maserati GT2 Stradale exhibits its hand lengthy earlier than you step into its Sabelt carbon buckets, strap in your four-point harness, or peer via its raked windshield at its vented hood and fenders.
Its title drops all reference to the MC20 supercar that serves as its base whereas concurrently aligning the Stradale with the championship-winning GT2 racecar with which it shares a reputation. As I stand by the pits on the Circuito Ascari in Málaga, Spain, watching a GT2 barreling in the direction of the uphill part that makes up turns one and two, I’m left questioning: is the Stradale a correct monitor automobile or simply an MC20 in a borrowed racing swimsuit?
I, sadly, have to begin with an apology. As lengthy of a circuit as Ascari is in its full configuration, throwing 26 corners at you in just below 3.4 miles, my time on it’s scheduled to be frustratingly temporary. Maserati’s itinerary solely permits for a complete of eight laps over two stints for a complete of round 20 minutes on monitor. I’ll be studying the GT2 and Ascari concurrently.
Lengthy earlier than I ever throw a helmet on, Maserati factors me into one of many open garages the place a GT2 Stradale sits subsequent to the racecar that impressed it. Though impressed is the unsuitable phrase, provided that the identical engineering and design groups developed the pair in tandem. With the 2 aspect by aspect, the visible ties between the highway automobile and the racer are unmistakable.
Each GT2s sport widened shark nostril grilles, vented hoods, louvered fenders, enlarged aspect intakes for improved cooling, and large adjustable swan-neck wings. The Stradale shrinks the racecar’s elements to highway automobile measurement. Nevertheless, constructed by such a style-focused model, you may guess that Maserati gave it a boomerang-style spoiler as a lot to realize its peak 1,102-pound downforce determine as for dramatic impact.
Whereas the MC20 wears a chic and delicate aesthetic, the GT2’s visible presence creates a extra lasting affect. It’s simply extra thrilling to take a look at. Even when its aggressive aero, solid 20-inch center-lock wheels, and matte carbon panels find yourself being not more than racecar cosplay, at the least it’s a sharp-looking costume.
As Maserati’s engineers rattle off stats with my time on monitor approaching, my expectations for the GT2 Stradale solely improve. It shaves 132 kilos over a typical MC20 via a strict carbon fiber eating regimen whereas its spring charges rise by eight and ten p.c entrance to rear. In the meantime, its 3.0-liter V6 sports activities revised turbochargers and new exhaust manifolds to assist increased enhance strain, upping its output to 631 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque.
An optionally available $13,750 Efficiency Pack fitted to my check automobile swaps the GT2’s ventilated metal brakes for upsized carbon ceramics, wraps its center-lock wheels in semi-slick Michelin Cup 2R rubber, and trades a mechanical limited-slip differential for an electronically managed unit within the rear. To capitalize on this new {hardware}, the pack provides 4 adjustable sub-modes inside the high Corsa setting, permitting you to additional dial your traction management, stability management, e-LSD, and ABS settings.
A name from the clipboard-wielding lady accountable for corralling my group means it’s time to get within the automobile lastly. As if the two hours of standing round earlier than my 20 minutes on the circuit wasn’t unhealthy sufficient, I quickly be taught I’ll be chauffeuring an teacher the entire time. A lot for these hard-fought weight financial savings.
Shortly after exiting the pit lane, a small crest drops us into turns three and 4, also referred to as “The Screw.” Even with such a brief stint forward, the vocal teacher insists that I begin and keep in Sport mode, the center of three core choices should you don’t depend the superfluous Moist setting. Whereas this slight corporations up this automobile’s dampers, quickens shifts, and relaxes its stability management system, it immediately turns into obvious that it’s not up for monitor responsibility.
Tipping the scales at a claimed dry weight determine of three,009 lb (nearer to three,200 lb with fluids), the Maserati GT2 Stradale is gentle even by fashionable supercar requirements. But, even this featherweight squats below acceleration and dives below heavy braking in its Sport setting. The nostril dips a lot that the Stradale’s carbon splitter ultimately makes contact with the tarmac under, shedding treasured layers of clear coat.
With my first ten minutes on monitor gone in 60 seconds, I’m again within the pits, tailing an engineer to ask about this automobile’s softly sprung nature. The reply is telling. At its core, the GT2 Stradale inherits the racecar’s carbon tub construction, a chassis that the racer borrows from the MC20. As such, the Stradale’s dampers carry over from the MC20 with no bodily updates, simply recalibrated software program. Solely its springs are new, being barely firmer, taller, and sporting a wider diameter.
When requested why this automobile’s suspension wasn’t stiffened additional, the engineer identified that the GT2 Stradale doesn’t have to be firmer as a consequence of its chassis’ excessive torsional rigidity and lack of extra weight. Nevertheless, as I’m nonetheless within reach of a entrance splitter with uncovered carbon fibers shimmering below the Spanish solar, that’s a troublesome actuality to simply accept.
The lady with the clipboard hollers, and I’m again within the automobile, strapping my harness and settling into its carbon buckets. The trainer says we’re within the high Corsa mode subsequent. I strive to not sound too excited on the prospect of correctly driving the automobile I flew midway world wide to expertise. We set off, however the pleasure doesn’t final.
As I attempt to decide up the tempo, my passenger chimes in for me to upshift halfway via the rev vary. With peak energy not approaching till 7,500 rpm, tugging the column-mounted paddle at 4,500 rpm looks as if a waste. The trainer insists. At the same time as we come on to the ultimate straight, blasting by the pits, the decision to upshift early comes once more.
By the point I roll again into the pits on the finish of this second stint, I’m mentally drained from juggling a brand new monitor, the GT2, and a relentless stream of instructions. Simply as I prepare to speak away, feeling as if I’ve realized nothing, Maserati North America’s beneficiant head of communications informs me that he’s secured me a 3rd session, this time all alone.
As the author within the automobile forward reaches the monitor’s midpoint, I get the inexperienced gentle to set off for the ultimate time. Immediately, the single-passenger GT2 Stradale feels faster on its ft. Freed to choose up the tempo, I push at full throttle down the primary straight, this time clicking up a gear solely when the steering wheels shift lights absolutely illuminate.
The GT2’s acceleration is, to make use of the proper time period, batshit fast. It could generate 40 fewer horses than an Artura, however the GT2’s acceleration feels virtually similar outdoors of instrumented testing. But, it doesn’t really feel any extra fast than a typical MC20. It would sound shocking till you be taught that the Stradale solely develops ten additional horses whereas its torque output dips by seven lb-ft.
By sending that energy to the rear wheels by way of the identical eight-speed dual-clutch transmission because the MC20, its 2.8-second time to 62 mph and 201 mph high velocity stay unchanged. Fortunately, a brand new exhaust system permits its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged 90-degree V6 to carry a low-toned notice that virtually buzzes as you method its 8,000 rpm redline.
On Ascari’s ultra-fast sweepers, this automobile’s lateral grip is spectacular, made attainable by its new aero elements and a contemporary set of semi-slick tires. This automobile’s entrance finish is agile and immediately responsive within the slower sections. Nevertheless, even in its high Corsa setting, the Stradale’s delicate dampers wrestle to mitigate extra physique motions via tighter turns.
Whereas its electrical energy steering rack is fast, it doesn’t decide up sufficient weight below load or reward you with tactile suggestions. As exact because the Stradale’s steering is, its vagueness leaves you questioning how a lot grip you could have as you decide up the tempo. It’s efficient however removed from participating.
It’s an identical story with its carbon ceramics and the GT2’s brake-by-wire system. Whereas its distinctive set of Brembos are highly effective and positively extra progressive than you’d get in one thing like a Corvette Z06, they’re completely devoid of suggestions. You’ll hear this automobile’s flashers go off as you lean laborious on the brakes earlier than the pedal signifies you’re approaching its limits. Once more, extremely efficient however not significantly involving.
As I pull into the pits for the ultimate time, one other GT2 Stradale awaits me for the drive residence. On the winding roads surrounding the famed circuit, this Maserati makes it clear the place it falls on the highway and monitor spectrum.
Its delicate suspension simply soaks up the odd bump, even cruising in Corsa. When you don’t really feel any of the consequences of its aero elements, its steering continues to be exact, and its brakes potent. If its 631-hp output felt like lots on monitor, it’s downright extreme on public roads. But that is the place the GT2 Stradale feels probably the most at residence. Its title as soon as once more makes a press release, with “Stradale” being Italian for highway.
Herein lies the reply to my earlier query. The GT2 Stradale is completely track-capable, particularly with the Efficiency pack. Nevertheless, every little thing it does nicely on monitor, it does higher on a winding mountain highway. Right here, it faces robust competitors from inside its personal home.
By borrowing extensively from the MC20, the GT2 Stradale recreates a lot of its on-road manners. Though an extended check drive would possibly reveal delicate nuances not detectable in a complete drive time of round an hour, they didn’t stand out on this temporary first drive.
Exterior of a monitor day, this particular version’s most important variations are its wonderful racecar-inspired styling, carbon fiber and Alcantara inside, and spectacular Sabelt buckets. As a result of whereas everybody swoons over the trending Porsche or Ferrari fashions, the GT2 arrives as a extra IYKYK possibility. Nonetheless, whilst Maserati plans to cap its manufacturing at 914 models, its practically $80,000 worth soar to $311,995 stays robust to abdomen.
The difficulty is, for that sum, there are various compelling rivals on provide. The apparent first alternative is the GT3 RS and its 9,000 rpm screaming flat-six, whose theatrics far exceed the V6 GT2’s. For over $300,000, you may even account for the inevitable supplier markup that’ll accompany it. Suppose the final word sensation of connectedness and involvement is extra your velocity. In that case, the McLaren 750s exists, and if uncooked sound is the precedence, the naturally aspirated Corvette Z06 affords it for lower than half the Stradale’s price.
Whereas the GT2 Stradale is the Trident’s first limited-run particular in a long time, this temporary first encounter creates the impression that it’s nice in isolation. But by providing an expertise so just like the MC20’s, when stacked towards the trade’s greatest, it doesn’t really feel particular sufficient.
