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A retracting top and an exclusive color adorn the new convertible offering from Modena.

From clear skies and UV warmth to cloudy and tempered with a touch of a button, Maserati is taking the "Cielo" ("Sky" in Italian) portion of its new MC20 Spyder quite literally. The convertible version of Maserati’s crown jewel supercar has arrived with a few key differences as compared to its coupe sibling. Namely, Maserati has fitted the MC20 Cielo with a fully redesigned retractable roof, made up of electrochromic glass. In simple terms, the 35-inch long glass roof is shade-changeable through the center console controls. Shifting instantly from translucent to opaque helps occupants to further control cabin temperatures and is made possible through Advanced Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal technology. Besides providing natural temperature control, Maserati says the new roof helps minimize road noise.

Replacing a fixed hardtop with a fold-down roof tacks on weight. The MC20 Cielo is no exception to this rule, though the Spyder packs its pounds sparingly. With an additional 143 pounds in tow, Maserati managed to maintain the 40/60 front/rear weight distribution in this mid-engine car while needing only 12 seconds to open or close the roof. That's no small feat. Another new feature introduced with the Cielo is the exclusive Acquamarina colorway. Solely available with the Primaserie Launch Edition, Maserati used a pastel gray as the base in creating its hue of tropical water blue, accented by raw carbon side skirts. Beyond the launch edition, the following five heritage colors will be available: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, and Grigio Mistero.

Maserati sees the MC20 Cielo as a blank canvas for customers who wish to customize exterior and interior styling. However, those who purchase one of the 60 launch editions will get an interior of ice-white leather and Alcantara microsuede. A 10-inch touchscreen equipped with Maserati Touch Control Plus and a minimalistic transmission tunnel control panel make up the sum total of features in the cockpit.

As the MC20 straddles the line between a sports car and supercar (with Maserati calling it a supersports car), the automaker focused intently on chassis rigidity and aerodynamics in the design process. The carbon monocoque architecture remains generally analogous across trims but is constructed in ways unique to each version.

Additionally, Maserati claims the high aerodynamic efficiency of the convertible version is unchanged from its coupe counterpart. “Nothing is superfluous—everything has its own function,” Maserati said. “The aim at the Centro Stile Maserati was to integrate all the demands of aerodynamics in an organic way, as if the car had evolved naturally.”

Repositioned air intakes, additional vortex generators, and a larger rear diffuser illustrate the design team's work to ensure the convertible would provide the same performance experience as the original. Half the work was already done when Maserati developed its stout twin-turbocharged Nettuno 3.0-liter V6, which remains unchanged in the Cielo. Five drive modes, adjustable suspension, and 305 section rear tires aid in keeping the car planted on whichever twisty road you travel.

Stay tuned for pricing and delivery dates.

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