[Star Test Drive] Maserati's Strongest GT Car in History, 'GT2 Stradale' Circuit Test Drive

*This content was translated by AI.

Star One-Line Review

The most powerful punch Maserati has thrown in the 21st-century supercar era

GOOD

- Driving performance more ferocious than its aggressive appearance

- Harmony created by downforce and lightweighting… a new world opens up

BAD

- 600 million won including options

- So low it makes you doubt whether it's a road car; the engine is quiet until suddenly it becomes terrifying

Competing Models

- Porsche 911 GT3 RS: High brand value and stability

- Lamborghini Huracán STO: 640 horsepower unleashed by a V10 5.2L engine

When Maserati unveiled the MC20 in 2020, I was convinced that "Maserati has finally returned to the supercar genre." The GT2 Stradale was Maserati's definitive answer to the expectations of those who held that conviction. I test-drove the Maserati GT2 Stradale on a drizzly spring day at Inje Speedium.

The Maserati GT2 Stradale is the circuit version of the MC20 Stradale. Its exterior undergoes such a dramatic transformation that it recalls a tuxedo-clad Rodolfo transforming into Iron Man. While the MC20 boasted an elegant and clean design, the GT2 Stradale wraps itself in carbon fiber, featuring numerous vents, air intakes, and aerodynamic devices to project a fierce and aggressive supercar image. Paradoxically, it appears compact in the process. It must be because it crouches even lower.

Maserati actually entered the MC20 GT2 in the 2023 Spa 24 Hours endurance race and the Fanatec GT2 European Series. They had already experienced the limits of pushing the MC20's carbon chassis and Nettuno V6 engine to the extreme to meet performance regulations. The result of that effort is the Maserati GT2 Stradale, which I test-drove this time. "Stradale" is an Italian word meaning "for the road" or "street," and in the automotive world, it is frequently used to refer to the road-legal version of a racing car (road car). Given the long history of the name, one might quickly grasp its meaning, but a car bearing the name "Stradale" must prove it has a racing car predecessor to qualify for the title, and Maserati passes that test.

As befits a road-legal race car, it features real glass windows instead of plastic ones, and an 8-speed automatic transmission instead of a 6-speed sequential gearbox. However, in terms of performance, it boasts the most explosive acceleration of any mid-engine Maserati in history. The time to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h is a mere 2.8 seconds. The pedal response for both the accelerator and brake is extremely sensitive. Drive modes include GT, Sport-Corsa, and even a wet road mode. Based on the pre-chamber combustion system derived from F1 technology, its stable output in the high-RPM range is unparalleled. The steering wheel response is that of a race car. Turn it, and it responds without hesitation, with no error of even 0.1mm. Just before test-driving this car, thanks to Maserati Korea's consideration, I was able to test-drive the MC20 Purra. The moment I stepped on the gas, the lightweight body felt immediately apparent, making it agile and light.

Although I could not fully enjoy the Maserati GT2 Stradale on a rain-soaked circuit, it was sufficient to feel the car's potential. The V6 Nettuno engine, spitting out 640 horsepower, raced fiercely like a Gyeongju horse with its reins cut, swallowing corners that twisted up, down, left, and right. The joy of shifting between manual and automatic, along with the engine vibration and noise pouring from behind, made me exclaim in admiration throughout the drive, leaving my mind in a daze.

As the force pressing down on the entire body intensifies at high speeds, it delivers peak pleasure when paired with Maserati's signature thrilling engine sound. This is why, when traversing the straightaways of Inje Speedium, one feels confident even with their whole body pressed against the accelerator pedal. After full braking, the subsequent gentle cornering allowed me to feel how extreme the chassis tuning of this car has become. Downforce increases stepwise from 320 kg to 420 kg to 500 kg, and of this force, a total of 130 kg is always generated at the front of the vehicle. Electronic systems also operate by reducing the intervention of ESP, TC, ABS, and the electronic differential device according to the mode. Additionally, it approaches the driver by tuning performance for each mode, including electronic hydraulic steering assist, damping, and spring stiffness.

The Maserati GT2 Stradale, with a base price well over 400 million won and approaching 600 million won including options. It is meaningless to discuss good or bad in such an expensive supercar. The Maserati brand, the car's attractive driving sensation and body characteristics, and the driver's preferences must all align. Driving this car felt like more than a simple test drive; it felt like embracing the entire brand with one's whole body. It is classic yet modern, cozy yet races fiercely like a Seoul storm.

Since the launch of the MC20, Maserati has shown a completely different trajectory, from the platform and engine to chassis tuning. It seemed to be shouting, "Remember the 1950s when the 250F dominated Formula 1, and the late 2000s when the MC12 ruled GT racing." While the intense performance and aggressive atmosphere may be similar to the Lamborghini Huracán STO or Porsche 911 GT3 RS, it does not seem that Maserati's glorious era will rise again with a car like the GT2 Stradale. And it has become clear that Italy is not home to Ferrari alone.

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*This content was translated by AI.