Maserati Project 24: The Ultimate Racing Machine

Introduction

Speed that cripples the tarmac, aerodynamics that defy all the eccentricity of Physics, and a design that oozes the perfect character to tag a hooligan—these are just the basic traits of a thoroughbred, mean and lean Godzilla when it incarnates the ferocious traits of a car which prays to the track. What you will be bearing witness to is something which has already set out to bring turmoil in the lives of other race cars and become a revered ICE icon that will make itself reside in the hearts of avid car enthusiasts, making them brimming with frisson as it gets their pulse racing.

Maserati Project 24 Overview

After wraps were taken off the mammoth-looking machine MC20, the Maserati Project 24 is the brand’s yet another attempt at providing voracious F1 drivers and their loyal fans with something that raises the bar further in terms of speed, agility, poise, and emotion.

Dazzling Enough?

Before the jaw-dropping figures, it would be an injustice to the car if verbs weren’t spelled out on its design. The visage looks extremely in-your-face from the front. Characteristics which enthrall one in a flash include:

• Deep indentations on the hood
• A great chunk of carbon-fibre covering
• A dual-tone livery of blue

This design perfectly blends with the aggression it is trying to emanate while posing a bossy stance. This treatment also provides it with a promotion in the downforce generated for acceleration, giving a superfluous feeling of taking off into outer space. Some nifty bits such as Maserati’s trident emblem, which doesn’t use any chrome but is portrayed in blue to shed some mass, are also notable.

Further down, one wouldn’t be able to help himself from coming out of hypnotism when a glance is thrown at the diffuser kit. Apart from its drool-worthy proportions, the carbon-fibre wedge-shaped structures and striking LEDs illuminate its presence, making one endear it even more.

Intriguing Midriff Section

Things are retained to be intriguing and sophisticated around the midriff section. Unlike most contemporaries that seduce with a plateau-like stance, the Project 24 gives a perception as if two separate chunks of material’s fusion led to the birth of this masterpiece.

Integrating these slabs of bodywork is a roof scoop perfectly divided by a sliver extending till the rear. The second portion has the Maserati sign on it, which also shrouds some portion of the door. However, those elements will start to feel trivial upon a gaze at the wheels, giving a ludicrous view as if the brand had collaborated with Lego for the rim design. While the yellow color might not be in conformity with the other hues, it doesn’t appear jarring.

Striking Rear Design

The hind portion appears to have been borrowed from an artist from Mars, as it looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. The split rear spoiler, a trait which cannot be dismissed, adds weight to its design. Below that are two rotund exhausts with segmented rectangular appliques, lending a menacing personality alongside a trio of LED tail lamps resembling the brand’s iconic logo. A diffuser kit steals the styling game.

Performance and Specifications

The exterior features a new suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, and tyres that have been worked upon to highlight its racing credentials. A prerequisite for a frowning track car is its weight. Claimed to be under 1,250 kg, this car is as bantamweight as it can become, leading to achieving a power-to-weight ratio of 1.69 kg/hp. Crikey! How they managed to pull this off.

This 2-seater homologated model also features a roll cage for better stability and diminishing body roll.

Conclusion

Rapid or Vapid?

One might feel deceived by its mien, giving the belief of an electric hypercar. However, for those clamouring over the woebegone times of ICE cars to come, here’s your chance to grin as the car is propelled by a 3,000 cc V6 engine that unleashes 740 hp, transmitted via a 2WD format, through a 6-speed sequential racing gearbox supplemented by paddle shifters for last-minute drama to leapfrog the only opponent invisible in the rear-view mirror. An uber-light monocoque construction and adaptive dampers ensure there’s enough to write home about without feeling disconcerting at any speeds.

Pamper That Controls the Temper

On the inside, the driver is welcomed by racing seats, a regal carbon-fibre multi-function steering wheel, adjustable ABS, and traction control. There are optional enhancements too, such as a rear view camera, telematics, a camera for video recording, and a driver performance display.

The codename Project 24 is only momentary until it is eponymously crowned with a distinct Italian name. Maserati has given us some of the finest looking cars that ooze raw character while driving, giving millions of enthusiasts dreams that they saw with open eyes to own one. The Project 24 lives up to expectations and takes things many notches above to add to the legacy its progenitors have constructed. An interesting question would be: What would it be called finally? Massacerati? Do let us know in the comments.