I knew the Maserati MC20 Cielo was quick from the spec sheet alone – however holy moly, not like this.

I’ve pulled out to overhaul an older BMW M3 and inside a blink of the attention I’ve shot previous a veritable line of site visitors with margin to spare.

I can let you know with a straight face that this open-top Maserati is among the quickest vehicles I’ve ever pushed on a Euro B-road. This contains critical firm, just like the McLaren 720S Spyder and Ferrari 296 GTB, two of the best supercars ever made for my part.

What struck me most in regards to the Maserati is that I couldn’t truly depart my proper foot pinned for greater than what appeared like a few seconds. It’s scary quick.

Attending the launch occasion in Italy for the next-generation Maserati GranTurismo was particular sufficient. The added bonus of some hours within the MC20 Cielo, the Spyder model of the Trident-brand’s mid-engine supercar, made the Italian journey irresistible.  

The press automotive was introduced in its limited-edition PrimaSerie Launch specification, together with the most recent three-layer paint referred to as Acquamarina, now accessible as a part of the Maserati’s Fuoriserie personalisation program.

I do know it’s a particular livery and does look excellent when the solar hits it, however delving into Maserati’s MC20 Cielo configurator reveals my very own favorite specs. I like the Blu Infinito exterior, 20-inch Corsa Matte Darkish Miron solid alloy wheels with yellow brake calipers, and Nero/Blue Cielo inside. It is a really spectacular mixture for my part, and one effectively value exploring on-line.

What made this journey further particular was the actual fact I’d in some way missed the common MC20 occasion. So the chance to pilot the Cielo in roof-down mode, no holds barred, on some random B-road on the outskirts of Rome would greater than make up for that preliminary disappointment.

The very first thing I observed was the MC20 Cielo’s flash roof. In reality, it has the quickest electrically-retractable glass roof in its section – boasting a gap and shutting pace of simply 12 seconds. Seeing it in motion can also be a pleasure to behold.

It additionally claims to be the most important roof of its kind and it makes use of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) know-how. What’s that? This tech makes it potential to alter the roof from clear to opaque merely on the press of a button.

For consumers in hotter climates, the roof additionally options thermal insulation for defense from these more and more stifling summer time rays.

Extra stunning nonetheless, is that even with the roof open there’s no discernible lack of baggage house – that means you continue to get 100 litres of stowage behind the Nettuno V6 motor, plus one other (modest) 50 litres up entrance within the frunk. Past the roof, the automotive incorporates a lot extra of the most recent tech to make a really particular driving expertise.

Key deliverables for MC20’s engineering group included matching the Cielo’s outright efficiency with its blisteringly fast coupe sibling. Whereas I didn’t have entry to a V-Field for any sort of correct efficiency information, from my expertise I’m assured in saying they effectively and really knocked it out of the park.  

It’s gentle too. The whole physique is manufactured from carbon-fibre and composite supplies, which helps enormously when you think about the Cielo (and its refined roof mechanism) solely provides 65kg to the coupe’s 1475kg kerb weight.

That’s additionally a part of the rationale why the Cielo doesn’t really feel in any respect compromised within the dealing with and experience departments – not one iota. Alas, I’m getting forward of myself, once more.

How a lot does the Maserati MC20 Cielo value?

The Maserati MC20 Coupe is priced from $490,555 earlier than on-road prices, whereas the MC20 Cielo prices $555,000 with each variants together with a three-year upkeep bundle.

MC20 consumers can even select from an enormous array of non-compulsory extras throughout exterior, wheels, brakes and calipers, upholstery and know-how.

Relying in your assets you could want to decide on properly, given the costs for among the extra fascinating choices for the MC20 Cielo. How a lot? For those who’re not on the Forbes wealthy record you can solely describe the costs as eye-watering.

Right here’s a pattern:

• Exterior carbon-fibre pack: $101,850
• Racing inside with racing seats: $46,886
• Prolonged Alcantara with Sports activities seats and choices: $45,528
• 4-way light-weight monocoque racing seats: $16,466
• Fuoriserie livery – MC12 Tributo: $51,265
• Fuoriserie alcantara and leather-based configuration: $24,444
• Fuoriserie Matte particular paints: $73,502

2024 Maserati MC20 pricing:

• MC20 Coupe: $490,555
• MC20 Cielo: $555,000

Rivals embody:

All costs are earlier than on-road prices

What’s the Maserati MC20 Cielo like on the within?

Not fairly what you would possibly anticipate in a Maserati supercar costing greater than half-a-million {dollars} after which some.

The butterfly doorways do provide correct supercar theatrics in addition to offering pain-free entry to the cockpit and exposing the carbon-fibre tub. The sill is comparatively slim and never one thing you ever want to fret about getting in or out.

Certain, there’s lashings of Alcantara, leather-based and carbon-fibre from flooring to ceiling, and the pedal set is real steel nevertheless it’s simply not all that luxurious in comparison with a top-shelf Maserati Grecale Trofeo.

Maybe it’s the Laser Impact Alcantara in white which doesn’t fairly pop just like the magnificent tan leather-based inside within the Ferrari 296 GTB I’d pushed earlier within the yr. However, the material itself is fantastically snug, as are the massively supportive bucket seats by Sabelt, an Italian racing product firm.

There’s a much more critical atmosphere at play within the MC20 Cielo. The main target is clearly on maximising the open-air enhancement of the ferocious aural drama produced by this mid-engined Maserati.

Slightly than outright opulence or luxurious, it has extra the feel and appear of precision and unbridled engineering focus. However actually, the general impact comes right down to the selection of color and supplies within the cockpit.

That very same Laser Impact Alcantara additionally traces the door playing cards, and all of the touchpoints are tender. There aren’t any low cost surfaces within the MC20 Cielo.

Know-how is basically sorted too, with two decent-size screens caring for a lot of the automotive’s common capabilities. The exceptions are the beginning/cease and launch-control buttons, each of that are discovered on the steering wheel, together with carbon-fibre paddleshifters connected to the steering column.

The steering wheel itself was designed and developed in session with Andrea Bertolini – Maserati reference driver and former World Champion within the spectacular MC12 sports activities automotive. It’s superbly constructed in carbon-fibre and partly wrapped in Alcantara. Extra importantly, it feels good to the contact.

The central console tunnel incorporates simply three capabilities; a twin Drive/Guide button, Reverse and a rotary drive-mode selector. Additional ahead there’s a small telephone charging tray, and that’s about it.

Storage is in any other case tight and there aren’t any door pockets, given the butterfly doorways. At the very least there’s a small Alcantara upholstered glovebox the place wallets and keys may go.

There’s nonetheless some helpful baggage house behind the engine – however even that isn’t precisely beneficiant – that means compact tender bag and never rather more.

What’s below the bonnet?

It’s the full-blown Nettuno 3.0-litre twin-turbo 90-degree V6 with a dry sump, designed and hand-built fully in-house by Maserati at its Viale Ciro Menotti plant in Modena.

It’s paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch Tremec gearbox driving the rear wheels and making 470kW of energy at 7500rpm and peak torque of 730Nm from 3000rpm to 5500rpm.

It’s adequate to propel the MC20 Cielo from standstill to 100km/h in ‘roughly three seconds’ nevertheless it feels faster from behind the wheel below full throttle. Prime pace is a claimed 320km/h, whereas zero to 200km/h occurs in a claimed 9.2 seconds. Importantly, stopping distance from 100-0km/h is 33 metres. 

Every Nettuno V6 motor takes extra 24 hours to assemble throughout six particular person stations, which doesn’t embody becoming it to the automotive or last highway testing. In reality, as soon as the engine has been accomplished it’s additionally put by means of a 40-minute dynamometer session to verify all of it works completely.

Taking a leaf from Formulation 1 engineering, the MC20 Cielo makes use of twin spark plugs with a pre-chamber combustion system that sits above the principle cylinder physique. It ensures fixed combustion and minimises gasoline consumption below some situations.

Nonetheless, drive it with the form of unbridled enthusiasm as is the prerequisite on semi-rural B-roads in Italy, and I assure you’ll be asking ‘Siri’ the place the closest petrol bowser is earlier than you would possibly anticipate given its modest 60-litre gasoline tank.

How does the Maserati MC20 Cielo drive?

My time behind the wheel of Maserati’s quickest collection manufacturing automotive may need been restricted to a cold afternoon, however there was no approach on earth that roof wasn’t going to be huge open – albeit with beanie on the prepared.

And when the solar lastly units and temperatures drop, that roof is closed in simply 12 seconds.

It’s not only for the open-air expertise although; it’s extra for the no holds barred engine bark as you punch by means of the midrange and on as much as 8000rpm. It’s merely intoxicating, particularly whenever you issue within the simultaneous punch within the again delivered on these full-tilt upshifts.

It’s what offers you that correct 360-degree immersive thrill like solely a hardcore tremendous sportscar can ship. Solely with the MC20 Cielo, it’s truly a chunk of cake to drive. It’s simply so rewarding whenever you string just a few bends collectively and quietly have a good time the grip ranges on provide – and the sheer pace you simply carried by means of these corners.

What in regards to the noise you ask?

It’s obtained a lot whenever you’re high-up within the revs, however even at low speeds in essentially the most aggressive Corsa mode it sounds powerful. It has a correct GT-racer-style bark – not as thrilling because the 296 GTB, nevertheless it’s extra visceral than the McLaren 720S.  

GT is the default drive mode, doubtless for the each day commute (do you have to be so fortunate), with engine enhance and pedal response at regular sensitivity. On this mode the Cielo’s lively exhaust valves are additionally solely open over 5000rpm. Frankly that gained’t do in the present day so I’ve dialled up the full-bore Corsa mode.

Even in Sport, the Nettuno engine doesn’t actually begin to sing with any sort of real howl till you’ve wound it up previous 3500rpm. This meaning you would possibly miss out on the surround-sound impact as you meander up an ancient-old Roman highway with rock partitions on both facet of the slim road with everybody wanting on, adopted by a real nod of appreciation.

In Corsa these lively exhaust valves are all the time open and most energy is on faucet 100 per cent of the time. Throttle sensitivity can also be at hair-trigger ranges and you’ll launch it just by urgent a button on the steering wheel.

Kicking off from the Vallelunga Circuit on the outskirts of Rome round faculty pick-up hour, it was inevitable I might strike my justifiable share of site visitors. Nonetheless with loads of secure overtaking breaks, the MC20 was in a position to set an honest tempo in my quest to get to some much less travelled roads earlier than winter darkness descended and temperatures plunged.

Within the MC20 Cielo you simply don’t cross certainly one of two vehicles in every overtaking manoeuvre, as you’ll in additional inexpensive efficiency fashions. As a substitute, you simply jet previous vehicles, tractors and vans, in a single obscenely quick transfer earlier than lifting off and doing it yet again.

I don’t recall the Ferrari 296 GTB packing the sort of mid-range fury of the Maserati, regardless of its hybrid enhance and world-class chassis, gearbox and engineering requirements. It’s unmatched as a mid-engine all-rounder for my part. 

Maybe the 720S Spyder feels extra of a match on sheer acceleration whenever you do get the chance to pin it for just a few seconds. However even then, I’d nonetheless the put the Cielo forward for its ferocious build-up of tempo from the mid-range. If we are able to simply overlook the claims for a second and give attention to what it truly appears like from behind the wheel, the Maserati simply feels faster.

It’s nimble too. Maybe not fairly in the identical league because the Ferrari, nevertheless it’s not far off; and there’s loads of communication through the steering wheel. You’re feeling the nitty gritty of the tyres and the accessible grip whenever you actually begin to push.

And that’s on winter tyres, that are hardly preferrred for a critical nudge however the MC20’s chassis is deft sufficient to nonetheless be decimating strings of fast-flowing corners throughout some wonderful undulating terrain. Even shod with these less-than-ideal Michelins it’s nonetheless massively succesful and enjoyable to pilot. I can solely think about it on grippy Pilot Sport 5S summer time tyres and the way rather more tempo it may carry – scary, actually.

I just like the gearbox as effectively. Left to its personal units, even in Sport, it’ll drop down just a few gears as you brake exhausting into a decent second-gear flip. Then (when you’re like me) you’ll begin pulling your individual shifts – given the sheer availability of the extra-long carbon-fibre paddles.

What struck me most in regards to the Maserati was its innate potential to fully anesthetise course highway surfaces, particularly at tempo. When travelling by means of villages although I began out dialling the dampers again to a softer setting, however actually, even in Sport it’s able to crushing most bumps and tough edges.

Higher nonetheless, MC20 Cielo is an extremely straightforward automotive to pilot. It’s not intimidating – not one bit – till in fact you get to mash the throttle to the firewall and expertise warp pace on this latest Italian unique.

Did I expertise any negatives? There was a short second of panic developing quick on one specific hairpin and there wasn’t a lot chunk from the brakes, not less than on the prime of the pedal journey. On the time, I put it right down to the carbon-ceramic discs not fairly having sufficient warmth in them, in addition to the not-so-grippy winter treads.  

What do you get?

MC20 Cielo highlights:

• 20-inch Birdcage wheels in Shiny Darkish Miron
• Metal brakes with Matte Gray calipers
• Matte carbon-fibre trim on central tunnel
• Frameless digital rear-view mirror
• Light-weight sports activities pedals in chrome steel with Aluminium footrest
• Premium leather-based/ Alcantara upholstery with Alcantara headlining
• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Wi-fi CarPlay, Android Auto
• 10.25-inch digital driver’s show
• DAB digital radio
• 6-speaker sound system
• Darkish Aluminium paddle shifters
• Alcantara sports activities steering wheel with carbon-fibre inserts
• 4-way energy sport consolation seats
• Trident embossed on headrests
• Entrance, rear sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Keyless entry and go
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Wi-fi charging
• Retractable glass roof with electrochromic window
• Carbon-fibre chassis
• Revised facet air intakes

Obtainable colors embody:

• Grigio Incognito
• Bianco Audace
• Nero Enigma
• Rosso Vicente
• Giallo Genio
• Blu Infinito
• Grigio Mistero

There’s additionally an enormous array of extra specialised exterior colors for the MC20 and MC20 Cielo together with the unique launch color; Aquamarina, as a part of the Maserati Fuoriserie customisation program.

Moreover, there are dozens of non-compulsory Fuoriserie paints accessible together with Stable, Particular Stable, Metallic, Metallic Particular, Tricoat Particular, Matte Particular, and Matte alternatives.

Is the Maserati MC20 Cielo secure?

Neither the Maserati MC20 or the MC20 Cielo have been crash examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. It’s value noting it has a carbon-fibre chassis for power and stiffness, in addition to light-weight properties.  

The Maserati MC20 and its MC20 Cielo counterpart has a bigger superior driver help system bundle accessible as an non-compulsory further.

These embody:

• AEB with Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass-view digicam
• Parking sensors
• Auto-dimming facet mirrors
• Site visitors signal recognition

How a lot does the Maserati MC20 Cielo value to run?

The Maserati MC20 Cielo is roofed by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

For 2023, each MC20 and MC20 Cielo fashions include a “complete upkeep programme” for 3 years. This covers all scheduled-servicing visits.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Maserati MC20 Cielo

Maserati is a really unique marque steeped in wonderful racing historical past and drop-dead beautiful vehicles for the highway and monitor. Nevertheless it’s been nearly twenty years because it constructed a world-class tremendous sports activities automotive.

Now they’re again, producing crowd favourites just like the MC20 and MC20 Cielo, which greater than reside as much as all of the hype that surrounded them at launch.  

Not solely is that this an exceptionally lovely mid-engine supercar, nevertheless it may also be essentially the most habitable Spyder in its class, because of its dead-easy driveability and unrivalled warp-speed roof mechanism.

The Nettuno V6 can also be one thing fairly particular. On the one hand it’s enjoyable to simply drop the roof and mosey alongside at 60km/h merely for the acoustic bliss of the exhaust observe in Corsa. On the opposite, you possibly can go forward and scare your self foolish with its colossal mid-range thrust everytime you see a spot.

Or simply stick one in your lounge and have a look at it as you’ll any piece of artwork.

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