Cielo is the name Maserati chose for the MC20 convertible - it means "sky" in Italian and sounds less generic than a Spyder, Spyder or any other spider-inspired marque. This new version of Maserati's first supercar in the range in over a decade is a softer, more touring-oriented alternative to the coupe. While the MC20s look very similar, Maserati made sure that the cellos had their own personality.
Like the MC20 Coupe, the Cielo is powered by Maserati's excellent 3.0-liter Nettuno V6, a twin-turbocharged engine that produces 621 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 538 lb-ft of torque from 3,000 to 5,500 rpm. While over 600 horsepower is par for the course in this segment, achieving that number with six cylinders is unusual. The engine produces a displacement of 207 hp per liter. If every engine delivered that level of power density, we'd get a 414-horsepower Volkswagen Golf GTI.
This engine also powers various Grecale SUV variants, although the MC20 models use a dry sump oiling system. Landini told me that Maserati felt confident sending the V6 to a circuit dominated by competitors with eight or more cylinders because it equipped the engine with both direct and indirect fuel injection systems. This innovative technology - which has its roots in Formula 1 racing - uses the first set of chambers inside the cylinder head and the second set of spark plugs to produce 100 hp in a six-cylinder engine at an angle of 90 degrees.
In the middle, the Nettuno spins the Cielo's rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission linked to a pair of steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. Maserati quotes a 0-62 mph time of under 3 seconds and a top speed of around 199 mph, so the coupe is a little quicker and quicker.
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