Dangers Maserati GT2 Stradale—Fast Flounder

The sports car brand celebrated its first victories on the racetrack last year with the flat two-seater GT2. Now the Italians are releasing a largely identical model with road approval.

The world of supercars has become limited. Many horsepower heroes are not allowed on public roads by law. But there are exceptions: The list of hypercars with road approval includes well-known names like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, the Ferrari SF 90 "Stradale," or the Lamborghini Huracán STO. What they all have in common are the exorbitant prices that fortunately prevent their mass proliferation in public traffic. Although the new Maserati GT2 "Stradale," with its price of 380,000 euros (413.440 USD), might be considered a bargain among the super-rich of the world and spark desires.

When accelerating from the pit lane onto the racetrack, the handling of the right of the two pedals is accordingly respectful. The slightest touch makes the three-liter V6 engine with twin turbo gently vibrate, sending a pleasantly powerful sound into the interior, with the first pressure building up in the sports seat shells. Numerous curves and bends await on the over five-kilometer-long private racetrack in the hilly area near Ronda above Malaga. This, then, will be the playground for the future owners of the Maserati.

Thermal management

Corvette ZR1 with perforated air vents

The "Stradale" may be derived from a real race car, but even in its first few meters, it offers a cozy-looking comfort and luxury in its interior for all those who have not attended a racing driver's school and do not have to demonstrate any special skills. Maserati assigns the vehicle the role of a link between the two characteristic traits of Maserati: elegance meets motorsport. The newcomer, with its 471 kW/640 hp, is the most powerful combustion engine with the trident permitted on public roads.

Power destruction before entering the corner

Only the Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore, with its three electric motors delivering a combined 570 kW, surpasses it in rank. But before the typical Maserati customer is ready to switch to a noiseless sports car, the Pope would likely have to become Protestant.

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The experience of curve chasing delivers what the sober numbers on the data sheet promise. The steering is lighter than expected, yet still provides the necessary tracking stability, and the carbon brakes reliably eliminate the power from the straight before turning into the curve. Back on sure ground, the sprint power is fascinating, foregoing any delay when accelerating. The sports car completes the sprint to 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph) in 2.8 seconds. Out of consideration for the lack of track knowledge and the potential loss of value due to the absence of professional talent, we refrained from testing the promised top speed of 324 km/h (approx. 201 mph).

Butterfly doors as an eye-catcher

The realization remains that the GT2, even as the Stradale, delivers what the price list promises. Especially when the usual safety nets of the electronic assistants are not turned off. Because on the country road down towards the Costa del Sol, we are then in the real life of a road car, attracting curious glances at the sports car while adhering to traffic rules. Appropriately, the butterfly doors open skyward during a parking stop, allowing for back-friendly entry and exit.

The view is of a modern navigation system with an Apple CarPlay appearance. This creates familiar normality in everyday life. The technical finesse of the aerodynamics and air intake, thanks to the influx from the front and the side cooling openings above the rear axle, is less noticeable on country roads than it will be someday on the left lane of a German highway.

Before returning the test Maserati, pangs of guilt do creep into the mind. Are such cars still timely, what does the Paris Climate Agreement say again, what is the use of the home heat pump when such a sports car emits 265 grams of CO₂ per 100 kilometers (approx. ? It is somewhat reassuring that only 914 units of the GT2 Stradale will be built, which the manufacturer will then distribute worldwide. Yet, the fascination with this technical masterpiece from Italy is undisputed, and it is granted to the wealthy on the sunny side of life.

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