F1-tech for Maserati’s new supercar

Maserati has demonstrated just how quickly the automotive world advances, revealing its new turbocharged V6 is a performance match for the V12 that powered its last supercar.

The Italian brand has announced technical details of its new ‘Nettuno’ engine, which utilises Formula 1 technology to produce as much power as the 6.0-litre V12 that powered the MC12 back in 2005; its most potent model ever.

The new engine will power the brand’s forthcoming MC20 mid-engine supercar, which will spearhead the next wave of models from the brand. It will also return the brand to motor racing in an official capacity.

Nettuno is an all-new powerplant developed in-house by Maserati (the V12 which was borrowed from Ferrari), measuring 3.0-litres in capacity with a pair of turbochargers to help extract 463kW of power. Not only does that match the output of the old V12, an engine twice as large, the new V6 has even more torque, punching out 730Nm; while the V12 managed 652Nm.

While Maserati says the engine is a “technical revolution” and its secrets are “protected by international patents” it has highlighted three key elements that help make the small engine produce such big performance figures.

All three are part of a combustion system derived from F1, and Maserati claims this is the first time it’s been used on a road car.

It starts with a combustion pre-chamber that is placed between the central electrode and the traditional combustion chamber and connected by specially-designed holes. There’s also a traditional spark plug that can support the engine at certain levels when the pre-chamber isn’t required, ensuring constant combustion.

Finally there’s “Twin injection system” with both direct and indirect fuel injection. Maserati says this set-up allows for the engine to reduce noise, emissions and fuel economy low in the rev range.

While the MC20 will be the first model to receive the Nettuno, it’s expected to find its way into other Maseratis in future as the brand sets up for a range of new models. That should include hybrid offerings, with this new engine reportedly capable of integrating an electric boost if required.

The MC20 will be unveiled to the public at a special Maserati event dubbed, “MMXX: The Time to be audacious”, scheduled for September 9 and 10 in Modena.