Just when you thought driving a Maserati could not look cooler, the company has dropped an open-top version of its already jaw-dropping MC20. Called the Maserati MC20 Cielo (pronounced “chi-elo”), this drop-top version of the supercar gets a couple of safety features, while relying on the same engine specs and the butterfly doors as the standard version. 

For those who don’t speak Italian, Cielo translates to “sky”—which you’ll be seeing a lot of thanks to the unique retractable glass roof. Maserati is calling it a “state-of-the-art electrochromic (smart glass) window” which can turn from clear to opaque with just the touch of a button. If you want to drop the whole thing altogether, the two-piece roof can be retracted in just 12 seconds! 

Now you’d think the added weight of a glass roof would dampen the car’s performance. This, however, is no the case, according to Maserati. The company claims, the Cielo weighs only 64kg more than its hard-top sibling, with a sacrifice of 0.1 second in the 0-100kph sprint, which is at 3 seconds. 

Also new here is a High Premium Sonus Faber audio system, which is unique to Cielo. The Italian marque claims the audio system is tuned specifically for the Cielo’s cabin, keeping in mind the “unique acoustic and positioning needs of the spyder’s cabin.”

There’s a long list of accessibility features as well, which will also be seen on the 2023 iteration of the coupe. This includes a whole suite of safety features like a 360-degree camera, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Then there’s the new ‘Acquamarina’ paint scheme which just looks drop-dead gorgeous. 

Unlike other roadsters, the Maserati MC20 Cielo retains its butterfly doors. They rotate and hinge upwards, to make sure all eyes are always on you while getting in or out. Also, a neat addition here is the ability to choose from five dynamic modes through the rotary controller that changes colour depending on what’s selected. For instance, the Wet mode would activate the green background light, while GT will switch on the blue and Sport will shows up a red background. 

Powering the Cielo is the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V-6 mill seen on its coupe sibling. It produces 629hp and 729Nm of torque from just 3000rpm, and the engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. As per Maserati, the Maserati M20 Cielo can sprint from 0 to 100kph in just 3 seconds. 

There’s no official confirmation if Maserati will bring the Cielo to India. The launch prices of the international version aren’t even out yet. If it does make it to our shores, expect a wait time until next year. 

( Image credits: Maserati )