Latest from the Maserati Centro Stile stable is the MC20 Cielo cabriolet coupé, a sibling to the MC20 super sports car. As Pablo German D’Agostino, Chief Exterior Designer, stated at the 19th Autostyle+ Digital Edition seminar, ‘the Maserati MC20 Cielo is a one-of-a-kind car that can deliver the performance of a true super sports car, together with immersive driving pleasure the like of which has never been seen before’.
During his presentation at the Villa Schiarino Lena, at Porto Mantovano, he detailed the creativity elements of the new car though a number of design sketches. Although it is based on the MC20 sports car, the Cielo has its own styling features, such as body shape elements from iconic cabriolet cum convertable ‘spyders’ from the Trident brand from the 1960s.
The MC20 Cielo’s special features begin with its name: MC stands for Maserati Corse (‘Racing’); 20 refers to 2020, the year that began the brand’s new era; Cielo (‘sky’) highlights the fact that it is a model devoted to driving pleasure in the great outdoors, while maintaining all the prerogatives of the coupé.
Equipped with the revolutionary 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 Nettuno engine, incorporating F1-derived technologies available in the power unit of a standard production car for the first time, the Cielo offers a perfect mix of sportiness and luxury, courtesy of a specification unique to the segment: the innovative retractable glass roof, which Pablo focused in on with pride.
He explained that this new model is equipped with a state-of-the-art electrochromic (smart glass) window that can instantly be transformed from clear to opaque at the touch of a button on the central screen, courtesy of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology. The roof is also best-in-class in terms of thermal insulation and of opening and closing speed (just 12 seconds).
‘The heart of the MC20 Cielo is the revolutionary new 3.0-litre twin-turbo Nettuno engine V6 that delivers 630 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, with 730 Nm of torque @ 3,000-5,500 rpm’
Developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and produced at the historic plant on Viale Ciro Menotti, the spyder is 100% made in Italy and 100% made in Modena, as is the coupé version.
He stated that the MC20 Cielo is designed for perfection. It weighs just 65 kg more than the coupé. As well as its outstanding weight-to-power ratio, the carbon fibre chassis (the same for all three configurations: coupé, spyder and the future electric version) also guarantees uncompromising torsional rigidity, offering a combination of extraordinary handling on the road and on the track.
The new Cielo spyder is a car with an elegant yet highly sporty design. Its character and personality are truly eye-catching, whether the roof is open or closed. Within its design; everything has its own function. The only concession to a surprise effect is the butterfly doors, as in the MC20 super sports car. The butterfly door provides much easier access into and out of the cabin.
Pablo went on to talk about the car’s unique alloy wheels – “The XX wheel design is exclusive for the MC20 Cielo; 20” diamond cut flow-formed technology. The MC20 Cielo made its first public showing at the 28th Goodwood Festival of Speed, in West Sussex, England last June.
He concluded with a sneak peak of the upcoming Project 24 and MC20 GT2 versions to come. The MC20 GT2 will feature in the Fanatec GT2 European Series Championship, making its debut in 2023. Maserati’s return to the track in GT competitions represents the ideal link between the brand’s new era and the victories achieved by the frequently victorious MC12 in the FIA GT Championships from 2004 to 2010.
