Maranello’s Chief Technology Officer states that the company doesn’t copy anyone.
A 3000cc V6 twin turbo engine powers the MC20 supercar. Ferrari 296 GTB comes with a 2992cc twin-turbo V6 twin-turbo engine. Both have identical 88-mm bores and strokes. These engines must be related somehow, surely? According to the Prancing Horse, these powertrains are not related.
Talking with British magazine Autocar Michael Leiters, Chief Technical Officer at Ferrari, stressed that the V6s were completely unrelated. “Ferrari does not copy anyone or take anything over from other companies.” This is a common Ferrari practice for many years. We didn’t need to collaborate on anything like this.
Many will recall that the company with the trident emblem did state that its Nettuno engine was a “new 100% Maserati motor” during the year leading up to the MC20’s unveiling. The Maserati engine is a 90-degree unit. While the Ferrari engine has a 120 degree bank angle, the Maserati one has a 90-degree layout. There are also power differences. The 296 GTB’s combustion engine produces 33 horsepower more than the MC20’s (630 hp vs 663 hp).
Both engines will be used in more future applications. Maserati will likely use them in the next generation GranTurismo, while Ferrari could put its own V6 into the Purosangue. It will be interesting for us to see if the Maranello folks will use their smallest engine in a new car that doesn’t have a PHEV.
Maserati and Ferrari technically aren’t part of the same automotive conglomerate. While the former is under the Stellantis umbrella, as one of the 14 brands, it was spun off in 2016. The majority of Ferrari shares are owned by the public (67.09%), followed by Exor N.V. holding firm (22.91%) and Piero Ferrari (10%) – Enzo’s second and sole living son.
Ironically, the first SUV with the Prancing Horse badge was spotted using a modified Maserati body from the Levante.