Maserati MCPura Cielo: The Charismatic Alternative To Porsche & Ferrari

Maserati’s MCPura Cielo is a turbocharged convertible supercar that blends savage performance with rare Italian charisma and everyday usability. Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby discover whether this soulful alternative truly rivals mainstream supercars.

Car Review: Maserati MCPura Cielo

Jeremy: Maserati’s glorious MCPura Cielo – Sky – is a stunning convertible offering a less obvious but highly charismatic alternative to mainstream supercars.

If you are in the market for a Porsche or Ferrari, the Maserati is the less obvious option. It may not boast a battery to boost engine performance but a twin-turbocharged V6 returns staggering power.

Originally launched as the MC20 Cielo in 2020, the updated MCPura builds on the same carbon-fibre foundation, with refreshed styling and aerodynamic enhancements.

Most obvious is a unique electrochromic glass folding roof. It retracts in just 12 seconds at speeds up to 31mph and will electronically tint from clear to opaque at the press of a button.

However, starting from around £235,000, the Cielo convertible commands a premium over its coupe sibling, with must-have extras pushing the price closer to a hefty £300,000.

That 3.0-litre V6 engine is at the heart of the MCPura, punching out 630hp and a blistering 0-62mph time of just 2.9 seconds. A blip of the throttle forces a dramatic surge in acceleration, accompanied by a whoosh of the turbochargers.

Yet despite the awesome statistics, the Maserati is surprisingly docile to drive at everyday speeds. The suspension isn’t too firm and the carbon-fibre seats are more comfortable than they appear.

Roof open, wind buffeting is excellently controlled. Folding the top down also allows unhindered appreciation of a raspy titanium exhaust note.

Inside a cosy cabin, the dashboard layout is driver-focused. Apart from the low, laid-back Alcantara sport seats, the MCPura has a squared-off steering wheel and striking views over those bulbous front wheel arches.

Less impressive is some of the switchgear, which looks a little cheap. The 10.3-inch infotainment screen feels tacked-on. The butterfly doors also swing quite far outward, making tight supermarket car parks a bit of a challenge.

And as you might expect in a supercar, impracticality is standard. Luggage capacity is restricted to a tiny 100-litre boot at the rear, which runs hot because it is directly behind the engine.

An additional 50-litre space is found under the front bonnet, while the cabin itself has barely enough room for a pair of sunglasses.

All that is forgotten when the MCPura meets the open road. The Cielo is not designed to blindly chase lap records. And while a Porsche 911 is a better everyday car and a McLaren is sharper dynamically, the Maserati has a rare, soulful charisma that makes it feel incredibly special.

It is the perfect choice for an enthusiast seeking pure, combustion-engine drama without the showy clichés of a Ferrari or Lamborghini.

Jessica: The MCPura is one of the finest sports cars I’ve driven in years. It’s a spectacular expression of open-top performance that looks refreshingly different to anything else on the road.

The electric-folding glass roof is something of a showstopper, while adding minimal weight to the frame. On the road, adaptive dampers deliver an exceptionally supple ride in GT mode. That is transformed into a track-ready weapon in Corsa mode.

While the interior sports a few cheap switches and a cramped boot, the Cielo remains an exotic, soul-stirring Italian masterpiece that elegantly stands out from its rivals. This is a Maserati that loves to be driven and serves up excitement at every turn.

Discover more about the Maserati MCPura Cielo at maserati.com

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.