Wild track

The 2024 Maserati MCXtrema emerged at the Monterey Car Week in California last weekend, billed as “the most formidable and extreme track-only” supercar ever built by the Italian trident brand.

Restricted to a production run of 62 units – all of which are already spoken for, at a price of more than $1.9 million – the single-seater is also Maserati’s most powerful car to date, producing 540kW from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 ‘Nettuna’ engine.

The MCXtrema is based on the Maserati MC20 road car, drawing inspiration from the legendary Maserati MC12 racer from two decades past but also designed to “set the pace for the future of the Italian luxury brand, enhancing its racing spirit”.

You can check out the full specs below, but let’s run through a few highlights of the boldly named track special that was built under the ‘Project24’ codename.

Free of the restrictions that come with road car homologation, Maserati’s Centro Stile designers have created a stunning track car with an unswerving devotion to aerodynamics, from the big front splitter and trident-shaped airflow channels on the bonnet to the prominent shark fin and huge adjustable rear wing.

Built on a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, the MCXtrema has a dry weight of just 1300kg while the Nettuna engine – fitted with two new turbochargers compared to the (463kW) MC20 road car – produces 730hp/540kW at 7500rpm and 730Nm from 3000rpm.

Acceleration data and other figures haven’t been released (the MC20 reaches 100km/h in 2.9sec), but Maserati promises “mind-blowing racing performance”.

That will stem from not only the MCXtrema’s light weight and powertrain upgrade (delivering a power-to-weight ratio of 1.8kg/hp) but a full racing spec including double-wishbone front/rear suspension, carbon brakes and a six-speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle shifters that sends all those Nettuna neddies to 18-inch forged alloy rear wheels via a limited-slip mechanical self-locking differential.

The interior was created around the concept of “minimalism, driver immersion and destructure” (naked effect/no trim) and includes a roll cage, fixed racing bucket seat with FIA-homologated six-point harness, adjustable pedal box/steering column and carbon/aluminium steering wheel with integrated 5.0-inch display, buttons and rotary selectors and “ultra-ergonomic grip”.

“Maserati MCXtrema was created with the aim of offering an incredibly exclusive product that can set a new paradigm for our track cars,” said Maserati CEO Davide Grasso.

“The project is dedicated to a selected clientele who are particularly attentive to distinctive details, ranging from the most refined and innovative design to exceptional performance.

“MCXtrema embodies the sporting spirit typical of Maserati’s DNA, a declaration of a new pathway for our brand, devoted to superlative manufacturing and able to stand out in the world of luxury engine production with uncompromising performance.”

2024 Maserati MCXtrema highlights:• Single-seater non-road-homologated race car• Length: 5199mm, width: 2045mm (w/o rear-view mirrors)• Dry weight: approx 1300kg

Chassis• Ultra-light carbon fibre central monocoque• FIA-homologated safety roll-cage (FIA Art. 277)• FIA-homologated FT3 120-litre fuel tank• Air jack system (4)

Brakes• Ventilated carbon-fibre racing brakes• Brake-bias remote adjuster• Latest adjustable racing ABS

Engine• Water-cooled V6 90-degree twin-turbo engine (rear-mounted) based on MC20 Nettuno engine• Displacement: 2992cc• Bore/Stroke: 88x82mm• Maximum output: 730hp (540kW)• Maximum torque: 730Nm• MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion)• Dry-sump lubrication with oil/water heat exchanger• Engine control unit (ECU): Bosch MS 6.4 Evo• Maserati Corse traction control• Race exhaust system with twin tailpipes mounted centrally and catalytic converter

Suspension• Front and rear axle with double wishbones• Front and rear adjustable anti-roll-bar blades (left/right)• Electric power steering• Wheel hubs with centre lock wheel nuts• Motorsport four-way adjustable dampers front and rear

Drivetrain/transmission• Six-speed sequential racing gearbox with paddle shift• Internal forced oil lubrification with oil/air heat exchanger• Racing clutch and limited-slip self-locking mechanical differential

Wheels/tyres• Bespoke 18” forged aluminium rims with centre lock fixing• Racing slick and wet tyres

Bodywork• Lightweight full-composite bodywork with high-aerodynamics performance• Adjustable rear wing• Fully closed carbon-fibre underfloor• Integrated safety roof hatch (FIA Art. 277)• Polycarbonate windscreen and side windows

Cockpit• Fixed racing bucket seat with four-point mounting• Adjustable racing pedal box• Adjustable steering column• Six-point racing safety harness• Air-conditioning system• FIA-spec fire extinguisher system• Carbon-fibre multifunction steering wheel with integrated display

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