New Maserati MC20 Cielo Brings The Sun Inside Maserati’s Sexy Supercar

The Maserati brand set a new course in 2020, punctuated by the global debut of its all-new carbon fiber, mid-engine supercar — the MC20. That debut was followed by production cars landing in customer hands in recent months, along with at least one MC20 landing in our hands earlier this year. The response from both groups, private customers and professional car folks like me, hasn’t varied — everyone loves it. The capable chassis, powerful 621 horsepower twin turbo V6, ear-flattening acceleration (zero to 60 in 2.9 seconds, top speed of 202 mph), and stunning design have filled order banks and created a year-plus wait time.

What is the Maserati MC20 Cielo?

The MC20’s success hasn’t slowed Maserati’s commitment to its 2020 plan, which includes a series of new models introduced in short order. Now the latest model in the Italian brand’s product plan has dropped — the 2023 Maserati MC20 Cielo (pronounced “chi-elo”), which means “sky”. As you’ve probably already surmised, this is the retractable hardtop version of the MC20 coupe, and while the drop-top design is the headline here, the MC20 Cielo’s introduction aligns with some cool new features for both models, coupe and convertible.

How much does the Maserati MC20 Cielo cost?

But first the headline — for about $30,000 more than the $212,000 MC20 coupe you can opt for an MC20 Cielo with a one-piece glass roof that folds away under a carbon fiber tonneau cover in 12 seconds (at speeds up to 31 mph). While the tonneau cover is carbon fiber, the roof itself is glass, and that’s important because the glass panel also features electrochromic technology that instantly turns the roof from clear to opaque at the touch of a (digital, touchscreen-located) button.

Maserati calls the technology “Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal” and says it’s superior to existing electrochromic glass in other cars in that it more completely blocks out the sun when in “opaque” mode. I can’t verify this until I test it myself, but Maserati claims the “head warming” effect you get with other electrochromic glass roofs, even in “dark” mode, won’t happen in the MC20 Cielo. “It’s about 97% effective at blocking out light” say company reps, which sounds particularly appealing to anyone low on natural scalp shielding.

The retractable hardtop design required changes to the MC20’s roofline and engine cover. Where the coupe uses a flat, conventional sloping roof behind the passenger compartment, complete with a large glass window to show off the engine, the Cielo’s glass roof retracts under a solid tonneau cover with two rising arches that meet the roofline just behind each of the seats. Klaus Busse, the MC20’s lead designer, said the roofline on any sports car is the most critical design element. To maintain the MC20 coupe’s sweeping roofline meant using these rising arches, which provide the added benefit of rollover protection for passengers.

It seems to have worked, with the MC20 Cielo sporting the same sexy proportions and profile as the coupe. It’s worth noting the size of the glass panel that sits over the passenger compartment. Maserati claims it’s the largest glass roof in the segment, at nearly 5.7 square feet. All that glass could potentially mean a lot of additional weight, but the coupe has its own large glass component (over the engine instead of the passenger compartment). And, as previously mentioned, the MC20 Cielo’s powered tonneau cover is made of carbon fiber. Result, the Cielo weighs just 143 pounds more than the coupe, and pulls identical acceleration numbers.

What are the new MC20 features and options for 2023?

When the retractable hardtop is in motion, and the tonneau cover goes from horizontal to nearly vertical, an available Maserati trident emblem can be seen from anyone behind the MC20 Cielo. The rising trident effect is undeniably eye catching, and a brilliant marketing move by Maserati. Additional new features for both the 2023 MC20 coupe and Cielo include a standard Alcantara steering wheel with a new blue engine start button (paying homage to Maserati’s iconic MC12 supercar), a new drive mode selector interface, a carbon fiber wheel option that saves over 60 pounds of unsprung weight, and updated advanced driver assist features like automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera system.

Buyers looking to get the MC20 Cielo can start placing orders now, with planned production beginning in September and initial deliveries happening by the end of the year. If that sounds quicker than the year-long wait for a coupe, it is. Because the order banks haven’t filled up (yet) for the Cielo it will slot into MC20 coupe production this fall, and first movers will have theirs around Christmas. But if you want the special Primaserie Launch Edition version of the MC20 Cielo, in unique Acquamarina three-layer grey-green paint (shown), MM 20-inch wheels with gold finish, and the new “ice colored” (gray) Alcantara leather interior with contrast stitching, you better order quickly. Maserati says it’s making fewer than 100 of them and they’re going quick.

Will there be an electric version of the Maserati MC20?

If you’re waiting for yet another version of the MC20, say…maybe…an all-electric version? Well don’t worry, that one is in the works already and will be yet another new model to soon spring forth from Maserati’s 2020 plan.