When you think of Italian exotic cars, Maserati is undoubtedly one of the names that comes to mind for most of us. Automobile enthusiasts the world over associate the brand with beauty, performance, power, and elegance. After all, this is the company that gave us utterly gorgeous cars like the Bora and Khamsin, and of course, the iconic 250f, which secured the 1957 F1 title with Fangio behind the wheel. In other words, Maserati possesses the kind of heritage that we petrolheads value and the brand proudly boasts about.

Despite such a glorious past, I find it surprising that in the collection of modern supercars I’ve amassed over 15 years, only one model (MC12) bears the Trident badge.

The reason becomes quite clear when you browse through Maserati’s catalogue in recent years. The company seems to have lost its way and found itself in an identity crisis. Their lineup, dominated by SUVS and sedans, seems quite uninspired and lacks the distinctive allure the brand was once known for.

However, with the announcement of the MC20, Maserati took everyone by surprise, marking its return to the supercar game after nearly half a century! Yes, there was the MC12, but it was nothing but a rebodied Ferrari Enzo, sold exclusively so Maserati could go racing with it. The MC20, on the other hand, is an all-new, ground-up creation. Designed to bring Maserati back to the forefront of the supercar world, the company finally has a car truly deserving of the Trident badge. A perfect opportunity for me to add one to my collection, then!

When the car was first unveiled, reactions were mixed, with many criticizing its design for being a bit too conservative. I, too, agreed with that sentiment at first. However, seeing it in person completely changed my perspective.

In an era of overly aggressive styling and designs that look like origami, the MC20’s simplicity is refreshing. With its stellar proportions and dramatic stance, typical of mid-engined cars, it exudes a clean and elegant presence that will age gracefully. 

At the heart of the MC20 is a turbocharged V6, which features F1-derived pre-combustion chamber technology that delivers 621 hp to the rear wheels. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s capable of a 0-100 kmph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of over 325 kmph! 

Enough about the car. Let’s dive into the review and explore how well BBR captures the spirit of Maserati’s supercar renaissance.

At launch, the various colour options available to choose from included Blue Infinito, Yellow Genio, Red Vincente, Black Enigma, White Audance and Grigio Mistero (Grey). It was tough deciding between white and yellow, but I ultimately settled for the former, and I’m glad I did.

EXTERIOR 

Out of the box, the paint finish is the first thing that grabbed my attention. It’s an iridescent, pearlescent white, with a subtle blue undertone that appears at certain angles as you move it around. And wow, is it ever breathtaking! The application all around is mostly consistent.

Being a white model, the shut lines, particularly around the hood and doors, are somewhat noticeable. Though not necessarily poor, the panel tolerances could have been tighter.

The lower part of the car, which includes elements like the front splitter, rocker panel, side skirts and rear diffuser, is finished in carbon fibre decals that are glossy and quite realistic in appearance.

At the front, the headlight details are rather average. While the inclusion of the tiny Maserati inscription is a nice touch, the chrome-painted bulbs and daytime running lights do little to elevate the overall realism. Given the premium price of the model, the level of detail could have been better.

The openings for the vents in the hood and the front grille feature mesh inserts. However, the mesh installed in the main grille is flat, which is inaccurate. The real car, like most new Maseratis, has a more concave shape. The trident badge mounted in the centre of the grille is well-executed, and so is the oval Maserati emblem on the nose. What’s not so impressive, however, are the side markers on either end of the bumper. They are replicated using orange paint, something typically found on budget models that cost a fraction of the price. I would have preferred if they had been omitted entirely, rather than cheapening the model with this approach. 

Shifting focus to the side of the model, I was immediately captivated by the wheels. They are striking and draw clear inspiration from the iconic Birdcage 75th concept while thoughtfully incorporating elements of the Trident logo. Behind them, the blue callipers adorned with Maserati scripting complement the exterior beautifully, and both the callipers and brake discs are faithfully replicated. Although the overall execution of the rims is quite good, the valve stems could be a bit more refined. Perhaps they could have used separate metal pieces for the air valves. Another point to note is the lack of sidewall branding on the tires, an omission that slightly detracts from the model’s realism. 

The turn signals, much like the side markers, are also painted onto the body, which is unacceptable at this price point. The silver trim next to the blinker, with “MC20” lettering and the three small sections (a nod to Maserati’s signature triple ports), is seamlessly integrated into the door.

As we continue to make our way along the side, it’s worth highlighting some of the cool features that come with the model. BBR has included folding mirrors and an openable gas tank cover. While I was exploring these features during unboxing, tragedy struck. It was quite hard to get the gas tank cover open with the prying tool provided. Although I eventually did manage to do it, the fuel filler neck came loose, and the piece dislodged within the model. While I was able to retrieve the part, fixing it will require the entire model to be disassembled. It is quite disheartening to see how even a high-end model can be so poorly put together.

Moving on, the large air intakes in the shoulders are neatly integrated and come with mesh inserts that are divided into two sections, like on the real car. One has larger perforations, while the other is much finer. Just above it, the Trident badge on the triangular C post is also faithfully reproduced using a crisp photo-etched badge.

Turning to the back, I must say the rear three-quarters is probably my favourite angle to view the car from. The see-through engine cover is executed with great attention to detail and offers a stunning view of the motor. The perforations in the centre are neatly implemented and shaped like a stylized trident motif. The large vent at the bottom of the engine cover, as well as the three vents on either side of the lid, are capped with mesh. The latter are meant to echo the triple ports that have become a signature Maserati design feature over the years. At the bottom of the engine cover, you’ll find the neatly integrated camera for the rearview mirror system. It is accompanied by the third brake light, which is painted silver. Again, this small cost-cutting detail results in the light looking cheap. 

On the topic of lights, I must point out that although the tail light assembly looks good and will satisfy most collectors, there is one detail that I found strange. The turn signal and reverse light elements within the housing are studded to look like LEDs. On the real car, however, they appear like light bars and are more seamless. The photo-etched Maserati logo script located between the two tail lights on the body is precise and legible. 

One thing that cannot be missed when looking at the back of the model is the large diffuser section. It is finished in carbon fibre decals, the application and sheen of which is excellent. The openings for the vents here incorporate perforated mesh and red reflector strips that have a more convincing appearance than the painted ones on the bumpers. As for the exhaust pipes, they have ample depth and, combined with the paint finish, achieve an authentic look. 

INTERIOR AND STORAGE

With the exterior out of the way, let’s dig into the opening features on the model. Although there were some disappointing elements on the outside of the car, the interior is quite impressive.

Lifting the hood reveals a fully flocked storage compartment, which opens smoothly thanks to well-designed hinges and a functional strut mechanism. The inclusion of OEM labels contributes to the overall realism.

The interior can be viewed by opening the dihedral doors, which always adds a sense of drama. Inside, the design follows a minimalist approach. The screen graphics on both the infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster are neatly rendered. Both the Sabelt seats and door cards incorporate an Alcantara-like texture. The blue stitching and accents are to scale and have been reproduced faithfully throughout the cabin. The seatbelts are made of fabric and include photo-etched buckles. The floor is flocked, as you would expect from a high-end model.

Attention has also been paid to finer details such as the buttons and drive mode selector. Decals are used effectively to mimic carbon fibre elements in the interior, and the craftsmanship is excellent. The use of quality materials, varied textures, and colour contrasts brings life to an otherwise minimalist cabin. Overall, the execution is outstanding.

ENGINE

Access to the engine bay is permitted by lifting the see-through window hatch that is supported by sturdy, well-crafted struts. Beneath it lies an additional storage area that is neatly flocked. Visible details such as the fluid reservoir caps, along with the information and warning labels, enhance the model’s realistic appearance.

Since the hatch has a somewhat limited opening angle, closely inspecting the powertrain with it open can be a bit challenging. Funnily, looking down into the engine bay through the closed window actually provides a better view.

As for the motor, it comes with a carbon fibre cover on top, which is impressively detailed, with sharp decal application and photo-etched badging. The rest of the engine exhibits a satisfactory amount of depth and detail, featuring silver-painted castings, along with moulded hoses and cables. Overall, I would rate the execution to be above average.

VERDICT 

BBR has done well to capture the shape and external details for the most part, but there’s still some room for improvement. The cheap-looking reflectors and turn signals, along with a poorly fitted gas filler neck (which may be a quality control issue specific to my example), detract from the overall presentation. At around $500 CAD, the model isn’t exactly affordable, and it does feel a bit overpriced for what you’re getting.

That said, with BBR being the sole producer of this model, your only other alternative is the sealed resin version. The diecast models were offered at significant discounts at one point, and if you can find one on sale, it would make for a much more compelling purchase.