The Maserati super sports car 'MC20 Cielo' features a sharp exterior suitable for racing tracks and explosive acceleration. Its flat and smooth body, which is closely attached to the ground, caught attention on regular roads, while the engine emitted a grand sound, demonstrating powerful performance.
The MC20 Cielo is a super sports car launched in South Korea by Maserati in 2023. Cielo means 'sky' in Italian and is a model that adds convertible (open car) functionality to the existing coupe (two-seater) version MC20. The MC20 was Maserati's sports car released about 20 years after the MC12, launched in 2004. Both the MC20 and MC20 Cielo are produced at the Maserati factory in Modena, Italy.
The first encounter with the MC20 Cielo revealed its overwhelming presence among other cars. Due to its low height, it may not seem large at first glance, but up close, it is quite long and massive. The overall length is 4,669 mm, the width is 2,178 mm, and the height is 1,218 mm. In terms of width alone, it is broader than the Genesis GV80 (1,975 mm).
The brand's signature trident logo is impressive when combined with the spacious hood, and the dual-type muffler tips symbolizing high performance are also noteworthy. However, the most eye-catching feature is the vehicle's side door. The so-called 'butterfly door,' which opens upwards like a butterfly spreading its wings, drew attention during entry and exit from the vehicle.
Although the appearance is flashy, there were many inconveniences. The burden of securing a parking space with enough room on both sides was significant, considering the unique doors. The weight of the doors was heavier than that of regular vehicles. Due to the excessively low body, one had to bend deeply to get in and out, which caused difficulties in adjusting the angle when using unmanned payment kiosks.
The interior is surprisingly simple. The steering wheel, a 10-inch screen located in the driver’s seat and center, and the central drive mode selector are virtually all there is. There are fabric materials mixed in various places, giving it a rugged feel. The control buttons necessary for driving are mounted on the steering wheel.
Upon starting the engine, the roaring sound and vibrations filled the vehicle's interior, and after a few seconds, the noise and shaking subsided moderately. Surprisingly, it was quite quiet during driving, with less rattling than expected despite being closely attached to the ground, and the friction noise was not bothersome. Although the low ceiling limited seat height adjustments, it allowed for a wide field of view.
The MC20 Cielo's driving performance stands out when accelerating at high speeds out of congested areas. The MC20 Cielo is equipped with the Nettuno engine developed for motorsport events like Formula 1. The engine, composed of six cylinders, has a displacement of 2,992 cc, producing a maximum output of 630 horsepower and a maximum torque of 73.4 kg.m. It accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds (0 to 100) and has a top speed of 320 km/h.
Simply pressing the accelerator pedal slightly resulted in an instant speed increase to the mid-100 km/h range. Even during rapid acceleration, the car maintained balance and did not sway. However, due to the weight distribution towards the rear, where the engine compartment is located, it was challenging to make fine adjustments in power on inclines, leading to a feeling of unease as the body appeared to push back.
The car has various features that help with flexible driving. When entering underground parking lots or passing over speed bumps, a system can be activated to increase the vehicle's ground clearance.
Depending on the situation, the driving modes such as WET (wet road), GT (everyday driving), Sport (track), Corsa (extreme), and ESC OFF (deactivation of all control functions) can be selected, and the suspension can be adjusted for stiffness based on the driving mode.
The selling price of the MC20 Cielo starts from 383 million won. The Primaceri edition, a limited edition with only 65 units produced worldwide, is priced at 533.6 million won. A similar performance vehicle is the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet (maximum 662 horsepower, 0 to 100 in 2.8 seconds), which starts at 326 million won.