Maserati MC20 Cielo revealed

MASERATI has pulled the silk sheet from its Cielo this week, a convertible version of the MC20 supercar and the second variant to join the trident brand’s flagship range since the rip-snorting coupe was released in 2020.

Due to launch in Australia mid next year – and with an asking price beyond the sold-out coupe’s $438,000 plus on-road costs list – the Maserati MC20 Cielo features an electrically-operated glass roof which can stow or deploy in 12 seconds and at speeds up to 50km/h.

At 909mm long and 615mm wide is the largest in its segment, the glass roof  includes Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology that turns it from clear to opaque at the push of a button. Maserati says the technology operates comfortably between temperatures of -30°C and +85°C.

The Modena-based brand also says the folding roof does not impact luggage space and maintains the same level of thermal and sound insulation as the coupe.

Like all convertible variants, the MC20 Cielo features additional bracing to support the open space of the retracted roof, adding 65kg to the coupe’s kerb weight (1500kg).

Named for the Italian word for ‘sky’, the Cielo features several styling changes over the MC20 coupe including newly positioned air deflectors and engine air intakes, and re-sculpted B-pillars. It is also the first MC20 variant to include autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

The Cielo can be optioned with a matte titanium engine cover, various diamond-cut alloy wheel designs, and model-specific Acquamarina paint in addition to a choice of six standard colours: Bianco Audace (white), Blu Infinito (blue), Giallo Genio (yellow), Grigio Incognito (grey), Grigio Mistero (grey) and Ross Vincente (red).

Other options (yes, options) include 360-degree parking cameras, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, reversing camera and traffic sign recognition.

A European launch edition dubbed PrimaSerie (first series) – available exclusively in Acquamarina paint – will add gold-painted wheels, ice-coloured leather and Alcantara combination upholstery with aquamarine stitching and PrimaSerie badging. Just 60 examples will be manufactured.

Inside, the MC20 Cielo features an identical layout to its coupe sibling with the same technology throughout. A digital instrument panel measuring 10.0 inches sits front and centre with an identically sized screen above the centre console operating the Maserati’s various infotainment systems. Audio is courtesy of an Italian made 12-speaker Sonus Faber premium sound system.

Like the coupe, the steering wheel of the convertible is again wrapped in Alcantara. The Cielo features unique indicator and wiper stalks, headlight switch, an electrically adjustable steering column and a blue ignition button. The model’s drive mode selector is touch sensitive and features five settings: GT (default), Sport, Corsa (track), Wet, and ESC off.

The MC20 Cielo is powered by the same midship 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged Nettuno 90-degree V6 found in the coupe, which offers 463kW of power at a peaky 7500rpm and 730Nm of torque between 3000-5500rpm. The 0-100km/h standard is dispatched in 3.0 seconds (0.1 seconds slower than the coupe), 0-200km/h in 9.2 seconds, while top speed is listed at “in excess of 320km/h.”

Drive is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential controlling how much power goes to each wheel.

Tri-mode adaptive dampers on double wishbone suspension front and rear hold 20-inch alloys to the road while braking is courtesy of 380mm rotors and six-piston clamps at the front and a 350mm / four-pot setup at the rear. Larger 390mm front and 360mm rear carbon ceramic stoppers are available optionally as are lightweight carbon-fibre wheels.

2022 Maserati MC20 pricing*:

Coupe (a)            $438,000

Convertible (a)        TBA

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.