From the very moment Maserati unveiled the MC20 as part of the self-described “rebirth” of the company, I was obsessed. In the world of mid-engine supercars, it stands out as a unique counterpart to the norm. That is, as much of a “norm” as you can have in the world of supercars with six-figure price tags. At any rate, from the moment I laid eyes on the MC20, I became hellbent on getting behind the wheel of one.
Fortunately for me, Maserati was kind enough to loan me this gorgeous 2024 MC20 Cielo (that’s Italian for “sky” because it’s the convertible model) for a few days. Going into my time with the car, my hopes were high for an outstanding blend of supercar performance with luxury overtones. I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Power, Performance, and Handling
First and foremost, it’s a supercar. So, obviously, we need to dive into its capabilities from the mid-engine performance car point of view. Though most supercar owners will never put their cars on a race track, an absurd amount of importance is placed on a supercar’s power output, handling performance, and overall capabilities. The 2024 Maserati MC20 Cielo does not fall short in any of these categories by any stretch of the imagination.
Behind the Sabelt seats in the cabin sits a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that spits out a more-than-exciting 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. While it’s doing it, it makes a noise that is almost unbelievably good for a six-cylinder. It’s throaty, punchy, and revs to the moon. When you lift off the accelerator, you’re rewarded with a ferocious turbocharger blow-off valve noise courtesy of the intakes positioned on the rear quarter panel on either side of the car. It checks all the boxes in the supercar world here. It’s loud, it sounds amazing, and it has plenty of power.
The engine is mated to a dual-clutch transmission that truly blew my mind. Its ferociously rapid gear changes, combined with the tones of the engine, made for a properly visceral experience. It’s made even better by way of the limited-slip differential, adjustable suspension, and Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires. On my favorite tight and windy mountain road, the responsive and nimble steering inputs combined with phenomenal grip and the wonderful exhaust note transformed me into a racecar driver. At least, it did in my mind. If you watch the video of the experience above, you might think it looks a bit slow.
I was being careful. It’s extremely expensive. Let’s talk about that.
How much does a Maserati MC20 cost?
As one might imagine, the MC20 Cielo comes with a hefty price tag. The base MSRP for a Cielo is a hair over $280,000, which already places it over $30,000 higher than the base price of the coupe variant. However, the yellow 2024 MC20 Cielo you see in the pictures has a handful of options and upgrades that brought the as-tested MSRP to an eye-watering $371,450.
The most expensive option on this car is the exterior carbon fiber package, which costs $39,000. While the exterior carbon pack does cost nearly as much as a new Nissan Z, I have to say it adds a showstopping element to the car that I would borderline call essential. The ground effects and rear wing (that costs extra, by the way) in carbon fiber are unparalleled in their ability to complement the jaw-dropping tri-cote Giallio Genio paint job. That paint job, by the way, costs $10,000 alone.
Here’s a list of some of the most expensive options on this particular MC20 for those curious:
- Giallo Genio three-layer paint – $10,000
- Exterior Carbon Fiber Pack – $39,000
- Interior Carbon Fiber Pack – $7,500
- Caron Fiber Rear Spoiler – $5,500
- Trident Logo on Tonneau Cover – $4,500
- High Premium Sound System – $4,000
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential – $2,300
- Carbon fiber seat backs – $5,000
Luxurious Interior and Refined Ride Quality
The first time I sat in an MC20, I was immediately taken aback by how much it still feels like a luxury car on the inside. While many supercars are tight and give occupants a racecar-esque feel, the MC20 retains its luxury refinement despite its performance orientation. Maserati has a long history of blurring the line between performance and luxury cars, and that element is what truly makes the MC20 a phenomenal option for those who want to drive their supercar daily. It’s a limited group, to be certain, but those folks do exist.
The daily usability of the 2024 MC20 Cielo is almost unbelievable. The Sabelt seats have plenty of bolstering to give you that racecar-esque feel we just discussed. Yet, they are remarkably comfortable, and I could easily see myself comfortable taking a multi-thousand-mile road trip with them without coming out of it and needing a chiropractor visit. Similarly, the suspension can get softer or stiffer based on preference or driving mode. In GT mode, the MC20’s ride quality is more than sufficient for daily comfort.
The interior features plenty of creature comforts, too. Alcantara and leather grace the cabin throughout, the infotainment system is responsive and intuitive, and it even has a wireless charging pad. The only drawback related to its daily usability is, as one might expect, its limited cargo space. The only interior stowage is the tiny center console, the glovebox, and the single cupholder between the seats.
What might surprise you, though, is the MC20’s ability to sip fuel. That is, if you can keep your foot out of the accelerator. The EPA says the MC20 will do up to 15 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. In a car like this, that’s nothing to turn your nose up at.
Every Bit as Good as I wanted it To Be
Quickly, it’s worth noting that the comically small trunk and frunk don’t offer you much in the world of cargo, either. That said, if all you need to transport is a suitcase or a carry-on-sized luggage bag, you’ll be alright. The way I see it, if you can afford to buy and road trip an MC20, you can afford to grab some new clothes at your destination, right?
I went into my driving experience with the MC20 expecting to find something that betrayed the driving experience I’d already had in my imagination. I thought that there’d be no way it’d be as fun, fast, and comfortable as it was in my head. However, I’m more than happy to report that I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Overall, the MC20 is an awesome choice for those who want the mid-engine supercar life but want to operate a bit outside of that “norm” we talked about earlier with the most familiar supercar brands. Above all else, it’s great to see Maserati taking a chance on a car like this as the world continues to venture toward SUVs. If a single-man standing ovation was worth anything from my home desk to the engineers behind the MC20 and the Maserati execs that let it happen, I’d get on my feet in a heartbeat.
Photos: Braden Carlson
