Putting the lauded marque to a test, our Editor-in-chief takes Maserati’s new MC20 for a spin

Words Claire Sullivan | 2 Sep 2022

After previously writing of Maserati’s first foray into the supercar realm with its recently launched MC20, our Editor-in-chief finally gets the chance to sit in the saddle of the highly-revered Italian stallion.

Good things come to those who are patient apparently, and while waiting is not really my strongest point, the opportunity to be one of the first to drive Maserati’s long awaited MC20 supercar was an exercise in pure exhilaration. I’ve driven many cars in my time, and this has to be one of the finest examples of superior automotive perfection that I have ever experienced.

For starters, the MC20 is the ultimate head turner, and not in the usual, “you’re obviously an asshole if you’re driving that” way, but in more of a “what is this beautiful example of automotive excellence?” kind of way. That’s the beauty of the MC20’s magnificent design, it is Italian craftsmanship at its absolute finest. From the elegant curved bonnet, to the huge trident badge expertly cut into the flank at the rear of the car, this is a vehicle that gets people guessing, and certainly attracts a lot of attention (and amateur photographers). And that’s before you casually open the doors, which rise like the wings of a bird of prey. The audible gasps among the gathered onlookers only adds to the exhilaration of sliding in behind the wheel of this exotic ride.

Once in the cockpit — as one would expect from a car of this superior calibre — the ride is low. My apprehension about speed bumps were quickly put to rest by employing the cunning lift button which raises the car enough to glide over bumps with elegance and ease. What’s more, the fact that you are so low to the ground would typically deliver zero visibility via a standard rear view mirror, but a nifty camera view ensures you don’t awkwardly take out any eager onlookers as you put pedal to the metal.

What’s strikingly different once behind the wheel of the MC20, compared to others in its category, is the sheer simplicity of the interior. Firing up the engine requires just a simple touch of the start button, while changing the pace and performance is done via the turning of a dial. And while that all might sound very basic, the outcome of such small hand gestures delivers the ultimate in supercar experiences.

The V6 engine that sits behind my head employs turbos that create the sort of exhilarating roar that I’m here for. Why bother playing tunes on the Apple CarPlay when there’s a symphony of guttural and poetic rhythms emanating from the car itself? The impressive Nettuno engine is the world’s first production engine to feature the same dual chamber combustion system used in Formula 1 engines. The overall result is a more fuel efficient, class leading car that has a top speed of 325 kilometres per hour and takes a mere 2.9 seconds to reach 100 kilometres per hour — something you may wish to employ
if you were wanting to really give the gathered crowds a thrill.

Despite its supercar pedigree, the MC20 is surprisingly easy to drive, one could definitely take this through the school pick-up line, or down to the corner store. The day-to-day default GT mode has ample grunt when required, but can also be a very comfortable ride, that’s smooth and responsive, and doesn’t feel like it’s champing at the bit to take off on you.

But switch her up a notch, by opting for the Sport or Corsa modes, and it’s an entirely different story. Throwing caution to the wind, I decided to metaphorically transport my experience to the streets of the Monaco Grandprix and threw her into Corsa mode. And boy does she deliver. The suspension stiffness and traction control is very apparent, and despite my lack of Formula 1 driving experience, I felt like we were at one in our mission of owning the road. Putting my foot down, there was no lag, I am quite literally off and racing.

My long-standing love for both Italian design and fast cars, has been expertly combined into the finest example of a perfectly harmonious romance. The Italians do it well; Maserati’s first foray into the supercar realm with the MC20 is nothing short of astonishing.

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Whether cosied by the fire or sprawled in the sun, there is always occasion for a good book, no matter where the season may take you. Here, we deliver a line-up of recently-released, unmissable reads that run the gamut from moving memoirs to gripping novels to funny, romantic romps. And while it was certainly a difficult task to whittle down our favourites, these are the page-turners you’ll want to keep on your bedside table.

A Visible Man by Edward Enninful
In his own words, one of the most important cultural change makers of our time delivers an astonishing, moving and powerful memoir. A lifelong champion of inclusion, Edward Enninful’s ascent to becoming the first black Editor-in-chief of British Vogue has seen his tenure break barriers in a way that no others have done before. Here, the icon delves into his astonishing journey as a black, gay, working-class refugee with big dreams, to reaching the pinnacle of the world’s most exclusive industry.

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
A collection of eight short stories that touch on the madness and reality of our collective delusions, this rich narrative series marries elements of the fantastic with those grounded in the everyday. From a woman who lives in a house with all her ex-boyfriends to a toxic friendship that grows around an invisibility drug, Bliss Montage is outlandish and ordinary and undeniably compelling.

Faith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan
The result of over 40 hours of conversations between Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagen, this book offers thoughtful, intriguing insight into the musician’s inner life. Examining questions of art, faith, music, freedom, grief and love, this moving book offers a picture of Cave’s life, as the creative visionary offers inspiration and hope.

The Novelist by Jordan Castro
In his witty and wise debut, Jordan Castro explores ideas of language and the Internet via a writer trying (and failing) to pen an autobiographical novel. Drawn into procrastination, the unnamed protagonist offers funny inner commentary prompted by a variety of quotidian tasks, in a narrative that marks Castro as a talent to watch.

Yoga by Emmanuel Carrère
Emmanuel Carrère is of the greatest storytellers of our time and in his latest work, he offers a raw self-portrait of a man searching for peace. The novel-memoir starts at 10-day Vipassana retreat in France, before turning into a powerful story that reckons with the Yin and Yang of life in Carrère’s revered style — humorous and compelling.

The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid
From this New York Times bestselling author comes the story of a man who wakes to find his skin has turned darker. Soon, reports of similar occurrences see more and more people transform into new incarnations of themselves, changing the social order for good. A tale of love, loss and rediscovery, this book asks us to rethink who we are and who we might become.

On The Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
Set against the backdrop of a gentrifying 1950s San Francisco, this stunning novel follows three sisters pushed into stardom by their mother. But, on the verge of a big break, it becomes apparent that the girls (now women) have dreams that might no longer align and are called to face challenges of their own.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
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Adorning the heads of models, celebrities and star athletes alike, the mullet is one trend that we never expected to have a resurgence. But return it has, and this time, the outlook is positively cool.

There is little denying that trends are a vicious cycle, where we typically see our past looks resurface to haunt us at least once in our lifetimes. But with the current microcosm of the Internet and its inherent desire for all things new, trends are recycling faster than we imagined. And one that’s come around all too soon, is the famed mullet.

As prevalent on luxurious couture runways, as it is on the heads of our nation’s greatest rugby players, mullets are reclaiming their universally ‘cool’ status and staging an undeniable comeback (whether we like it, or not). Far from the disastrous mullets of the 70s and 80s, the new mullet has a decidedly elevated but shaggy look — one that points proudly to an attitude of effortless nonchalance.

The pull of the mullet actually has a much longer history than anyone probably realises. Beyond the 80s ravers and further back even than Tom Jones’ 1965 flirtation with the style, ancient artefacts and literature have alluded to similar hairstyles in Britain as early as the 1st Century, where researchers described it as helpful in keeping the hair out of the eyes and maintaining warmth and protection around the neck (very practical, we think).

From the left: Christophe Robin Regenerating Shampoo from Ines. malin + goetz sage styling cream from Mecca. Sachajuan Volume Powder Volumiser Spray from Sephora. Virtue Labs 6-In-1 Styling Paste from Sephora. ORIBE Rough Luxury Molding Wax from Spring Store.

Throughout the last century, the mullet has been given the pop culture treatment and has even had a moment in queer circles (as an unofficial signifier used by gay women in the mid-1980s). And while our current rendition is decidedly more about appearance than function, its presence still recalls all the various iterations we have seen throughout history, rendering it one of the most statement-making haircuts one can sport.

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There is a certain irony to the modern mullet. Some have considered the resurgence a late symptom of the lockdown-prompted closure of hair salons around the world, while others still find it wildly outrageous. Still, it would appear that the mullet is here to stay — may as well embrace it, we say.

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With Father’s Day fast approaching, it’s time we all started thinking about how best to celebrate the dads and father figures who have had such a crucial hand in raising us. And this year, in a bid to encourage a move away from the traditional but tired ‘socks-and-undies’ gift, we have teamed up with Schweppes 1783 to create the perfect cocktail for thanking dad with a well-deserved toast.

Meet the Green Jacket — a refreshing, not-too-sweet combination of Malfy Gin, Lillet Blanc, Green Chartreuse, lime and (of course) Schweppes 1783 Quenching Cucumber Tonic Water. Putting a more citrusy twist on the classic G&T, this cocktail is delicious and super easy to make but just complex enough to leave anyone who takes a sip thoroughly impressed (even if you really have no mixology skills to speak of). Here’s how to create the Green Jacket for Dad this Father’s Day.

Ingredients (makes one cocktail):
20ml Malfy Original Gin
15ml Green Chartreuse
20ml lime juice
20ml Lillet Blanc
Schweppes 1783 Quenching Cucumber Tonic Water
Dehydrated lime wheel to garnish

Method:
1. Start by pouring the Malfy Gin into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the Green Chartreuse, followed by the Lillet Blanc.
3. Finish with lime juice before filling the cocktail shaker with ice.
4. Give the whole thing a good shake.
5. Prepare a glass with ice before pouring the mixture over.
6. Top off with Schweppes 1783 Quenching Cucumber Tonic Water.
7. Garnish with a wheel of dehydrated lime before serving.

Please drink responsibly.