Maserati MC20 Cielo has been revealed as the convertible version of the MC20 Coupé.
The Maserati MC20 Coupé debuted back in September 2020 as a 2-seater sports car with a new 3.0L V6 Nettuno engine. This engine puts out 630 hp at 7,500 rpm and 730 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm and is paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.
At the launch, the Italian luxury performance car maker promised a convertible version would soon follow. 2021 went by without any significant update but today in mid 2022, Maserati has finally shown us what they had planned, it’s the MC20 Cielo spyder.
Fundamentally, the MC20 Cielo is a lot like its coupé cousin but with a lot less roof and a lot more complexity going into its roof mechanism. It features a retractable glass roof, which Maserati claims is the best-in-class in terms of thermal insulation.
The entire mechanism opens and closes in just 12 seconds. It also gets electrochromic glass which can go from transparent to clear with a touch of a button thanks to Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) tech. This means that even when the roof is closed, it can be set to be most see-through if desired. The new roof system makes the Cielo just 65kg heavier than the coupé, maintaining most of the coupé’s dynamism and performance.
The MC20 is built on a carbon fibre chassis for optimal torsional rigidity even with a drop top roof. The glass roof measures 909mm long and 615mm wide, making it the largest in its segment. The roof is made in partnership with Webasto and works in all temperatures.
Besides the retractable roof, there’s another differentiating factor to the convertible model. The stylised Trident vent that cool the engine on the coupé has been replaced by a polycarbonate engine compartment cover with the Trident now an optional decal.
Therefore, just as the MC20 coupé proudly sports a stylised Trident – acting as a cooling air intake for the Nettuno engine – on the polycarbonate engine compartment cover, the brand’s icon can likewise make an appearance, in the optional extra of an all-new Trident decal in matte titanium. The engine air intakes have been relocated on this convertible model, but the butterfly doors remain.
Another new introduction are the double-X-style wheels made from diamond-cut alloy wheels and optional carbon fibre wheels that reduce the car’s weight by an additional 30kg.
Other upgrades common to the 2023 MC20 coupé model include new control levers behind the steering wheel, a new light button, a new 360-degree camera system and new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
There are 5 drive modes than can be selected on the MC20 Cielo.
- GT mode (default drive mode)
- GT Mode is the default drive mode when the car is started. It is ideal for everyday driving and provides maximum ease of use and comfort.
- Engine boost: normal
- Pedal sensitivity: normal resistance
- Active exhaust valves: only open over 5,000 rpm
- Gear shift setting: slow and smooth
- Suspension: soft
- Traction control: normal
- WET Mode
- WET mode offers the highest level of control on wet or damp road surfaces, to prevent skidding during acceleration or on corners.
- Engine boost: limited
- Pedal sensitivity: normal resistance
- Active exhaust valves: only open over 5,000 rpm
- Gear shift setting: slow and smooth
- Suspension: soft
- Traction control: all controls active
- SPORT Mode
- SPORT mode offers the highest performance in high-traction conditions and is ideal for use on the track.
- Engine boost: normal
- Pedal sensitivity: low resistance, high sensitivity
- Active exhaust valves: open over 3,500 rpm
- Gear shift setting: fast and direct
- Suspension: rigid
- Traction control: sport
- CORSA Mode
- CORSA mode offers the driver the most extreme experience. Traction control is much less active and stability control is active if with very high thresholds. This mode provides maximum enjoyment, but also the most challenging handling.
- Engine boost: maximum (maximum power immediately available)
- Pedal sensitivity: low resistance, extremely sensitive and responsive
- Active exhaust valves: always open
- Gear shift setting: racing
- Suspension: racing
- Traction control: race
- In Corsa mode, the driver has the option to enable Launch Control by pressing the button on the steering wheel.
- ESC OFF mode
- In ESC OFF mode, all control functions are disabled. It is similar to CORSA mode, but with traction control completely disabled.
