When Maserati debuted MC20 in 2020, the Italian company said its new supercar was designed from the ground up to support convertible and fully electric variants. The MC20 EV is still a long way off, but the drop-top MC20 Cielo is finally here. Maserati’s new convertible will make its debut on Wednesday and is just as exciting as the hardtop MC20 coupe. And honestly, in our eyes, the roofless Cielo looks even better.
Mechanically, the Cielo is no different than its coupe counterpart. The MC20’s light monocoque tank is unchanged, just as the Nettuo twin-turbo V6 engine is mounted amidships. The Cielo delivers 621 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and a torque of 538 pounds at 3,000 rpm, sending that power through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Maserati says that the MC20 Cielo can accelerate to 62 mph in about 3 seconds and that it will top only 200 mph.
Cielo’s retractable hardtop has electrochromic glass on the top panel so passengers can adjust the amount of light shining into the cabin. When it’s time to put the roof back on, Maserati says the action only takes 12 seconds to complete and it’s neatly placed behind the cockpit. All in all, the collapsible hardtop mechanism adds 143 pounds to the MC20’s curb weight.
With the roof down, the shape of the MC20 is really something. You can better see the large support legs that form up against the seat smokers, and it is easier to see the MC12 inspiration in the MC20’s design with the roof off. Inside, the Cielo is the same as other MC20s, though there is a new “digital touch” driving mode selector that incorporates suspension and traction-control adjustments on one screen.
When it comes to sales, Maserati will offer a special PrimaSerie Launch Edition, limited to “about 60” cars, according to the carmaker. These cars get a new Acquamarina exterior color as well as wheels in white gold finish.
Official pricing has not yet been announced, but given that the MC20 coupe starts at $ 212,000, we expect the Cielo to demand several thousand dollars more. This will still place it right in the heart of the supercar market with mid-range engines competing with the Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan and others. We can not wait to drop the top and get on the road in this one.