Maserati MC20 vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS race: the winner is not the one you think it is

When Carwow lines up a Maserati MC20 against a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, you'd expect the German track queen to get the better of the Italian exotic. And yet...

On paper, the poster is misleading: although their base price is virtually identical, at around €250,000, these two sports cars have very little in common. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a radical machine, born to swallow vibrators and break circuit records thanks to its active aero, honed chassis and 525 hp naturally-aspirated flat-six engine. The Maserati MC20, on the other hand, plays the Italian supercar card: a 630 hp twin-turbo Nettuno V6, sculptural lines and a clear objective: to combine elegance with explosive performance.

On paper, it's no surprise

The figures speak for themselves:

	Maserati MC20	Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Power	630 hp	525 hp
Couple	730 Nm	465 Nm
Weight	1475 kg	1450 kg
Weight/power	2,3	2,7
0 to 100 km/h	2.9 sec	3.2 sec
0 to 200 km/h	8.8 sec	10.6 sec
Maximum speed	325 km/h	296 km/h
Price	252 050 €	253 454 €

In terms of technical specifications, the match was decided even before the start: the Maserati is more powerful, more torquey and more aerodynamic in a straight line. But in the world of Porsche, the GT3 RS was never designed to shine in a straight line... its playground is corners.

A duel that confirms the logic of the figures

In the video, the scenario is crystal clear: from a standing start, despite the Porsche's excellent launch, the MC20's turbo always ends up swallowing the GT3 RS. Over the quarter-mile, the Maserati slams a clear 11.0s, while the Porsche finishes at 11.2s. The same gap is repeated on the restart: once the turbo is full, the MC20 escapes like an "Italian killer", as summed up in a YouTube comment that's already racked up hundreds of likes.

And yet, the Carwow community is having a field day: seeing a GT3 RS lose to a Maserati is almost a relief for some fans, happy to see the MC20 emerge from the shadows. On the networks, the verdict is unanimous: "The MC20 is one of the most beautiful cars on the road". we read. And its twin-turbo engine, too discreet according to some, turns into an unstoppable argument as soon as the straight becomes longer.

But on a racetrack, the result might be quite different.

Let's not forget: the GT3 RS is not designed for the 400-metre standing start. Its kilos of carbon, its extreme aero and its suspension settings are designed for one thing: to glue the car to the asphalt when cornering. On a winding track, victory would undoubtedly have been different. As many of you have pointed out in the comments: the MC20's real rival in this type of drag race would be the 911 Turbo.a far more powerful model, calibrated to shine in a straight line. There's currently a 911 Turbo 50th Anniversary that boasts a 0 to 100 in 2.9 sec. and a top speed of 330 km/h, thanks to 650 hp of power.

The elegance of the MC20 is seductive

This unexpected duel is above all a great showcase for Maserati. For many enthusiasts, seeing a Maserati shine against an icon of German performance awakens a rare feeling: that of choosing a supercar for its beauty and its engine, without necessarily seeking to beat a time on the Nürburgring.

On the home straight, the MC20 wins. In hearts, perhaps too.