- Maserati’s convertible MC20 driven
- New Cielo changes the supercar’s attitude
- But it’s still damn quick…
Statistics suggest that every third super sports car is a convertible, spyder or roadster. Makes sense, then, that Maserati was inevitably going to chop the roof off its rather good MC20.
It’s deftly, done, too. The new MC20 Cielo morphs from sun capsule to rain shelter in just 12 seconds. But it’s more than just a convertible – the Cielo sheds the coupe’s brusque manners for even more grandezza and compliance.
What’s it like from the driver’s seat?
Inside, alcantara and leather rule together with the piccolo centre touchscreen, yet the main attraction is of course the power-operated variable-tint glass roof which disappears behind the seats as soon as the weatherman gives the operator the thumbs up.
The motorised vertical rear window acts as tranquilizer on the autostrada, as wind deflector in open air configuration and as on-demand amplifier of the highly melodical Nettuno engine.
Ah yes, that lovely V6…
The awesome V8 which graced the GranCabrio gave way to the notably more potent 3.0-litre twin-turbo Nettuno V6 which churns out 621bhp at 7500rpm and 539lb ft at an accessible 3000rpm.
Sporting a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, the 1540kg Cielo can accelerate in 2.9sec from 0-62mph. Despite an unexciting drag coefficient of 0.39, the claimed top speed is in excess of 200mph.
At anything beyond 100mph, however, it is advised to drive with the lid up because close proximity to the eye of the hurricane may result in total baldness. The eight-speed DCT knows the full spiel from rodeo rowdy to calm and composed, which is the preferred rhythm in GT and even in Sport. The shift paddles are so irresistibly cool and long and tactile that hitting the Drive read Auto button is strictly an intra-city excuse.
Quick then – does the roof affect the handling?
While most manufacturers try to maintain the coupe’s full dynamic spirits even as they are chopping off the roof, Maserati consciously mellowed the character of the Cielo by opting for slightly softer springs and dampers. As a result, the wind in your hair MC20 is very probably the best riding car in this class.
The double-wishbone suspension is simultaneously articulate and controlled, the chassis feels nicely tied down at any speed, and the available front axle lift takes the sting out of many transverse obstacles. The 20in tyres – 245/35 up front and 305/30 in the rear – combine elementary absorption talents with plenty of grip once properly warmed up. The directional stability depends entirely on the surface quality: the car is all over the place on sagged or broken up pavement only to feel as solid as a rock on grade A blacktop.
There are five driving programmes (Wet, GT, Sport, Corsa, ESC Off) and three suspension modes (Soft, Mid, Hard) to choose from.
Although the number of combinations is limited, you must always first address the clumsy new rotary controller in the centre stack which calls for an initially confusing mix of twist, push and swipe inputs. Sport matches an enchanted driving style, but Corsa is mandatory to keep the active exhaust valves open at all times, trigger instant maximum boost pressure, dial in the fastest shift action and warrant the most urgent throttle response. Sadly, Corsa cannot be paired ad hoc with the softest damper setting, Ferrari-style. It also is the mandatory setting for launch control and ESC Off.
Anything else I should know?
Well, the Cielo has an almost EV-like range, owing to the microscopic 60-litre fuel tank, and there’s a rather paltry 150 litres of boot space. We’d also recommend specifying the nose lift system for speed bumps, otherwise it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
Maserati MC20 Cielo: verdict
The Cielo is a charming oddball choice. Emphatically old-school in more ways than one, it´s hard to believe that the very same DNA will next year spawn the emission-free 1000bhp-plus Folgore which is bound to rewrite the Maserati textbook together with the high-voltage Gran Turismo and Grecale.
If money was no object, right now we’d rather get in line for a Ferrari 296 Spider, while at the same time putting in an early order for the upcoming ultimate clean-and-open-air Maser which will rock the supercar establishment, big time. And that´s a promise.