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The convertible Maserati packs more power, but the Porsche is lighter. Here's what happened
by Khris Bharath on July 24, 2024, 06:00Imagine a high-octane summer camp for the hottest supercars around. That’s exactly what the scene MotorTrend has set for its annual Performance Vehicle of the Year award. While some automakers were decidedly a little shy about letting their million-dollar machines battle it out, the magazine managed to snag a couple of epic drag races. Two unlikely contenders to battle it out in a 1/4 mile dash were the 992.1 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and the Maserati MC20 Cielo. Which model came out on top? Read on to find out.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Vs. Maserati MC20 Cielo
On paper, this doesn’t seem like a fair fight. It’s far from an apples-to-apples comparison. Where the 911 GT3 RS is all about track-bred performance, insane aero, and lap times; you’d think the convertible Maserati is a mid-engined sports car that’s better suited for Boulevard cruising. However, the power figures suggest otherwise. The GT3 RS boasts a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine churning out 518 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. Wrapped in a lightweight package of just 3220 pounds, it’s a stripped-down speed demon.
In the other corner, the Italian challenger – the MC20 Cielo – counters with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making a monstrous 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Both models send power exclusively to the rear wheels. But the Porsche has a big weight advantage (or lack thereof), compared to the Maserati. At 3,920 lbs, it’s a whopping 700 pounds heavier than the GT3 RS. Now some of the Cielo’s additional weight comes down to the fact that it is a convertible and more structural reinforcements were done, making it 143 pounds heavier than the MC20 coupe. As for the power-to-weight ratio, the GT3 RS comes in at 0.161 hp/lb, whereas the MC20 has a PWR of 0.157 hp/lb. So it’s looking like Advantage Porsche already.
| Porsche 911 GT3 RS | Maserati MC20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | Twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder boxer | Nettuno Twin-turbo V6 |
| Displacement | 4.0 L | 3.0 L |
| Horsepower | 540 | 621 |
| Torque | 475 lb-ft | 540 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| 0-60 mph | 3.0 seconds | 2.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 199 mph | 205 mph |
| Curb Weight | 3,220 lbs | 3,920 lbs |
| MSRP | $241,300 | $250,000 |
The Race
The lights go out, and... surprise surprise! The MC20 Cielo takes an early lead. As it is a runway, the surface is not exactly a drag strip and it betrays the GT3 RS. Its initial struggle for traction hands the Cielo, an advantage. But hold on – the moment the GT3 RS finds its grip, the Porsche slingshots past the Cielo, claiming a comfortable victory, completing the 1/4 mile in 10.9 seconds. To sum it up, horsepower is great, but sometimes you need a proper diet and exercise regimen to truly shine. The GT3 RS might be all business, but Porsche’s dedication to lightweight engineering, helped it school the MC20 Cielo in this round. MotorTrend also pits the McLaren 750S against a C8 Corvette Z06 with an equalling unexpected showing. Watch what happens in the video below.
Khris Bharath
Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio
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