Automotive

Maserati airs out MC20 supercar with retractable smart glass roof

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The Maserati MC20 Cielo's twin-turbo V6 develops up to 621 hp from just three liters
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Maserati adds the Cielo convertible to the MC20 lineup
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The Maserati MC20 Cielo is the second of three planned MC20 models, with an electric version to complete the trio in the future
Maserati
The MC20 Cielo shares its carbon fiber tub with the MC20, but Maserati adjusts the carbon fiber slightly to make up for the torsional rigidity lost with the addition of the retractable roof
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Rather than just your simple drop-top, Maserati adds a fast-retracting roof made from electrochromic glass
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Popping open the Maserati MC20 Cielo
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Like the MC20 coupe, the Cielo comes powered by Maserati's patented Nettuno engine
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The Maserati MC20 Cielo sprints from 0 to 62 mph in three seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in 9.2 seconds
Maserati
The Maserati MC20 Cielo's twin-turbo V6 develops up to 621 hp from just three liters
Maserati
We don't love the big trident logo, but those buyers who do can add it as an available option
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Maserati MC20 Cielo drivers can enjoy a fully open, transparent roof view or opaque roof ride
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The Maserati MC20 Cielo carries over the butterfly doors of the coupe
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Cielo means "sky," a fitting name for the MC20 convertible
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Maserati MC20 Cielo top closed, fully tinted
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The center tunnel houses a series of controls, including the new touch selector for the five driving modes
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Maserati MC20 Cielo
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Inside the Maserati MC20 Cielo cockpit
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Taking the wheel
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The Maserati MC20 Cielo glass roof operates in 12 seconds
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Maserati MC20 Cielo world premiere
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View gallery - 19 images

Twenty-twenty will be remembered around the world as a difficult year, but there were some positives to come out of it. The Maserati MC20 was one of them, marking Maserati's return to the true supercar segment. The year is even baked into the model's name, reminding us that light shines even in dark times. And sometimes that light nourishes growth that lasts well into the future. For the MC20, the next chapter of growth is the all-new MC20 Cielo, the much-anticipated convertible version of Maserati's butterfly-doored super-coupe.

"Cielo," quite fittingly, translates from Italian to "sky," something Cielo owners will be seeing a lot of from the driver's seat. That'll be true whether the top is up or down because the car uses a retractable glass roof to offer skyward views with or without blowing air. Opening or closing takes a mere 12 seconds. Should the driver tire of the view to the heavens, perhaps because of excessive sunlight pouring in, he or she can simply hit a selection on the 10.3-in Android-powered touchscreen and the Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) smart glass will immediately switch from clear to opaque.

Beyond the new roof, the MC20 Cielo maintains the tasteful curviness of its older, solid-topped sibling but gains an unfortunately massive, distasteful trident tattoo on its polycarbonate engine cover. We find the subtler trident-shaped vent that adorned the MC20 coupe's engine cover at launch much more effective and in line with the overall styling. The oversized decal feels more like something a tuner would slap on one of its flamboyant creations, clashing something awful with the Cielo's smooth, restrained beauty. Happily, Maserati clarifies that the decal is an optional extra, not a mandatory punishment.

Cielo means "sky," a fitting name for the MC20 convertible
Maserati

Power, of course, comes from Maserati's Nettuno engine, a masterpiece as noteworthy as the car itself, setting new benchmarks by pulling 621 hp (463 kW) and 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) out of a 3.0-liter V6 with help from twin turbochargers. By keeping overall vehicle weight gain down to 143 pounds (65 kg) over the coupe for a 3,395-lb (1,540-kg) curb weight, Maserati ensures that the Cielo continues to massage exhilarating numbers out of its twin-turbo, including a 3-second 0-62 mph (100 km/h), 9.2-second 0-124 mph (200 km/h) and 199-mph (320-km/h) top speed. For reference the coupe breaks down 2.9 seconds, 8.8 seconds and 202 mph (325 km/h).

To keep all-around handling and ride dynamics as sharp and confidence-inspiring as straight-line speed, Maserati gently reworks the carbon fiber distribution in the MC20's monocoque to account for the torsional rigidity lost with the switchover to convertible roof. The automaker also carries over the adjustable double-wishbone suspension with optional height-adjustment system.

Maserati MC20 Cielo top closed, fully tinted
Maserati

The MC20 has always been a true supercar for the 21st century and the Cielo variant debuts a new 360-degree camera, autonomous emergency braking and traffic sign information as part of its driver-assistance suite. It also includes the parking sensors, rear-view camera and blind spot monitoring that are a part of the MY22 MC20 coupe's package.

The new roof doesn't affect the distinctive butterfly doors that separate the greater world from the carbon-, Alcantara- and leather-drenched two-seat cockpit. The driver steps in and takes hold of a thickened Alcantara-trimmed sport steering wheel while looking into a 10.3-in digital cluster. Paddle shifters for the dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox are within a finger's reach, and the blue engine start button beckons from its position slight right. A new five-drive-mode selector stands as a touch button located on the central tunnel. The optional Sonus Faber 12-speaker premium audio system automatically adapts the time-alignment, equalization and sound levels according to the MC20 Cielo's open/closed roof position, maintaining precise, seamless audio performance tailored to the real-time interior environment.

The center tunnel houses a series of controls, including the new touch selector for the five driving modes
Maserati

Maserati didn't drop pricing at this week's Cielo reveal, but expect it to reside somewhere north of the MC20 coupe's US$212,000 base.

The somewhat ridiculous one-minute intro video below shows a little MC20 Cielo and glass roof action.

Source: Maserati

View gallery - 19 images
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6 comments
Ancliff
So it is just like my 2006 nissan micra convertible!
LiamKoot
The front end looks quite a lot like the Jaguar. The Jag sounds pretty good too and will definitely be a lot cheaper. Unless you are on a race track or the Autobahn, the performance figures don't really matter.
Steve Jones
I love it. But is it better than an Artura or 296GTS?
Well... who cares?
Nobody
I'd still take a Corvette at less than half the price.
WB
or a tesla plaid is cheaper and a lot faster, more safe and high tech
Fairly Reasoner
Do we have to wear those clothes if we buy one?