Maserati has continued its modern revival with the global premiere of the M20 Cielo, a roadster version of the MC20 coupe. The move was not exactly a surprise. When the Italian carmaker launched the MC20 back in 2020, it clearly stated the platform would also support roadster and electric variants.
The design highlight of the sleek Cielo is the lack of a fixed roof. In its place is a retractable hardtop that opens and closes in just 12 seconds. The hardtop is fitted with a state-of-the-art electrochromic glass panel that can instantly be transformed from clear to opaque at the touch of a button.
Impressively, the MC20 Cielo weighs a scant 143 pounds (65 kg) more than the coupe. That extra bulk helps provide additional rigidity with little compromise on handling and performance.
The Maserati MC20 Cielo Photo by Maserati
The Maserati MC20 Cielo retains the coupe’s butterfly doors Photo by Maserati
The Maserati MC20 Cielo’s electrochromic roof opens and closes in 12 seconds Photo by Maserati
The Maserati MC20 Cielo embraces the open-sky experience Photo by via Top Gear
Maserati had to tweak the roadster’s design to accommodate the retractable roof, of course. The fancy Trident vents on the back of the MC20 coupe are gone, replaced by a matte titanium Trident decal. The engine air intakes have also assumed a new position. Thankfully, though, the signature butterfly doors – arguably part of what makes the MC20 look so elegant – have been retained.
The powertrain remains unchanged, and the MC20 Cielo is driven by the same ingenious Nettuno twin-turbo engine Maserati designed for the coupe. The V6 unit cranks out 621 hp at 7,500 rpm and 538 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, all fed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. According to Maserati, that’s enough grunt to propel the MC20 Cielo to 60 mph (96 km/h) in about 3.0 seconds, and on to a top speed just shy of 200 mph (320 km/h) if you can find a long enough road.
Maserati will also offer a special PrimaSerie Launch Edition when the MC20 Cielo goes on sale. It will be limited to just 60 cars, all finished with an exclusive new three-layer metallic colour known as Acquamarina, a clever combination of pastel gray with iridescent aquamarine mica.
There is no official word on pricing. However, the MC20 coupe starts at US$212,000, and one can reasonably expect the spider variant to command a hefty premium over that. The MC20 Cielo will find a home in the mid-engine supercar market among rivals like the Huracan Spyder and the McLaren 720S Spider.