Palm Beach presents the perfect backdrop for collecting a supercar. The town’s manicured streets, palatial estates, and unmistakable sophistication create an environment where automotive theatre feels natural rather than ostentatious. Collecting the MC20 Cielo Spyder outside The Breakers felt entirely appropriate – two icons of Italian and American luxury meeting under Florida sunshine.

The key fob sits reassuringly heavy in the palm, its substantial weight and precise machining communicating quality before we even approached the car. As the butterfly doors swept upward and outward toward the sky, passers-by stopped to watch. Some waved, others reached for phones to capture the moment. This would become familiar over the next three days – the MC20 attracts the right kind of attention, the appreciation of those who recognise a truly special supercar.

The plan was simple: follow the coast south from Palm Beach to Miami along South Ocean Boulevard, using the journey to understand what Maserati created rather than what the press release and specification sheet suggested. I’d driven supercars before, but few promised the combination of track-ready performance and luxurious refinement that the Cielo’s design philosophy promised.

First contact: Theatre and craftsmanship

Stepping into the cockpit through the upswept butterfly door felt like entering a carefully curated space. The door’s mechanism moved with precision and solidity, no flimsy rattles or uncertain movements – just reassuring mechanical action that spoke of proper engineering. The push button door release, in place of a regular handle, is tucked away under the dramatic body lines of the door, and pops the door latch with a reassuring clunk.

Settling into the seat revealed immediate comfort. The soft Nappa leather, warmed slightly by morning sun, moulded perfectly whilst the racing seat bolsters provided just enough hold for more spirited driving. The seat itself felt supportive without being restrictive, crafted and refined. The controls are intuitively placed and allow for flexible adjustment.

Matte-finish carbon fibre adorns every surface that mattered. Not the glossy, show-car finish that screams for attention, but a subtle, fabric-like texture that caught light without demanding it. The centre tunnel, door panels, and subtle accents demonstrated restraint and sophistication. It’s easy to appreciate the craftsmanship.

The steering wheel sat perfectly in my hands – thick-rimmed, Alcantara-wrapped, with just the right diameter and grip thickness. On the left side, the touch-button starter waited beneath my thumb. Pressing it brought the Nettuno V6 to life with a purposeful rumble that reverberated through the carbon tub.

The twin 10-inch screens glowed with sophisticated graphics that felt refreshingly mature. Where some Italian rivals employ animated, video-game-style interfaces, Maserati chose refinement and clarity. The displays communicated information through clean typography and intuitive layouts, proving that sophistication and user-friendliness needn’t exist in opposition.

The electrochromic glass roof transformed the cabin experience entirely. A touch of the ‘Cielo’ button on the central screen shifted the glass from transparent to opaque instantaneously, adjusting the cabin’s ambience from open-air freedom to intimate enclosure. The transition felt almost magical – one moment looking at blue sky, the next cocooned in privacy. But that’s not the only transformative feature in the Spyder.

The coastal route: Finding rhythm

We pointed the Cielo south on South Ocean Boulevard, choosing the coastal route for its spectacular views and the natural, elegant habitat it provided. The drive mode selector sits in the centre tunnel – diamond-cut knurling providing tactile feedback as I rotate through the modes. Each detent clicked with satisfying precision. I selected Sport mode, feeling the car’s personality sharpen immediately.

The Cielo’s party piece comes in to play at the perfect time. With the roof retracted – a 12-second process that felt almost theatrical in its precision – the cabin transforms into an open-air theatre. Keeping the button pressed lowers all the windows, completing the sensory transformation. The upgraded Sonus faber audio system, with its 12 speakers positioned specifically for the Cielo’s unique acoustics, played our carefully curated road trip playlist beautifully. Even at highway speeds with wind rushing overhead, every note remained distinct and properly placed.

The Nettuno V6’s soundtrack, muted and distant with the top up, became immediate and visceral with the roof down. The twin-turbo setup produces 730 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm, creating a predictable and progressive power surge that builds with satisfying inevitability. I could sense exactly when the turbos spooled, feel the pressure building through the throttle pedal, and exploit the surge with precision and confidence.

Clicking the transmission into manual mode via the paddle shifters changed the experience entirely. The metal paddles – substantial, perfectly positioned, with just the right amount of resistance – fee wonderful beneath the fingertips. Each pull produced an immediate response, the transmission firing through ratios with smooth precision. The feedback through the paddles themselves told me the exact moment the gear engaged, a subtle click confirming the action, and the gentle lurch of the car with each shift feels welcomed at low speeds.

South Ocean Boulevard: Natural habitat

South Ocean Boulevard proved the perfect stage. The road hugs the Atlantic coastline, offering uninterrupted views of turquoise water whilst passing through some of Florida’s most exclusive real estate. The Verde Royale paintwork – a deep, contemporary green inspired by the 1986 Quattroporte Royale – looked magnificent against the coastal backdrop, blue skies and palm trees, with the lustrous finish catching the light, changing the hue at every angle.

We drove past Mar-a-Lago, its Mediterranean Revival architecture commanding attention from behind manicured hedges and security gates. The Cielo felt entirely at home in this environment of understated wealth and classical design, its elegant proportions and restrained details complementing rather than clashing with the surroundings. The car’s presence attracted respectful admiration from other road users – with a knowing nods and enthusiastic waves wherever we went.

What struck me was how every interaction with the car felt considered and premium. Adjusting the controls through easy-to-access pages on the screen. The volume knob rotated with perfectly damped resistance. Even the simple act of closing a storage compartment resulted in a quality mechanical action. Maserati understood that luxury exists in these details.

The forced air induction created a distinctive whoosh from the vents behind our heads, the sound of high-velocity air being channelled through carefully designed ducts. This atmospheric soundtrack complemented the engine note beautifully. Each time I lifted off the throttle, the turbo pressure release valve produced a satisfying hiss – a mechanical exhale that confirmed the car’s performance pedigree whilst adding another layer to the auditory experience.

Discovering the character

We stopped at one of the famous coastal cafés that dot this stretch of South Ocean Boulevard. To exit, a press of the button integrated into the Alcantara-clad door handle. The butterfly door lifted forcefully but assertively, its powerful mechanism raising the door with mechanical confidence. The door paused at its apex, perfectly positioned for dignified exit.

Fellow patrons admire the car over espresso and conversation, discussing the bold green finish and asking about the driving experience. I opened the front boot to retrieve our camera, the frunk lid lifting to reveal surprising storage depth. The mechanism operated smoothly, with reassuring solidity throughout its range of motion.

Back on the road, it’s time to hit the freeway and open her up. With more vigour in the driving style, gear changes deliver genuine drama. The dual-clutch transmission produces a mechanical clunk with each ratio swap – the precise, satisfying sound of perfectly engineered components engaging under load, like the cocking of a finely crafted rifle. Each shift lurched the car forward in an exciting and engaging way that encouraged spirited driving. The metal paddle shifters felt wonderful in the hands, making every gear change an event to savour.

The steering revealed Maserati’s philosophy immediately. Perfectly weighted and beautifully progressive, it communicated grip levels and road texture through gentle feedback that felt natural rather than artificial. Turn-in proved intuitive, the car pivoting around its centre whilst my palms felt subtle loads building through the rim. Light enough at low speeds makes manoeuvring and parking surprisingly simple, and the firmer steering feedback is essential for steady driving at higher speeds.

The suspension deserved particular praise. Rather than punishing stiffness, Maserati chose compliance and control, allowing the chassis to flow over surfaces whilst maintaining composure and precision. The seats absorbed what the suspension didn’t, providing comfort without sacrificing support. I could feel the carbon fibre monocoque working beneath me – not flexing or twisting, but transmitting information about road surface and chassis loading in useful ways.

Approaching Miami: Drama builds

The approach to Miami demanded appropriate soundtrack. I scrolled through the infotainment system – its mature, sophisticated interface responding immediately – and queued up Will Smith’s ‘Welcome To Miami’. The Sonus Faber system did full justice to the track’s production, its bass response powerful without being boomy, the vocals clear and properly positioned.

The downtown skyline emerged across Biscayne Bay, glass towers reflecting afternoon sun, and the obligatory full-blast singalong with Will Smith was fully appropriate, and tons of fun. I pressed the touchscreen to lower the roof, watching through the rear-view mirror as the glass panel slid smoothly into its housing. The 12-second process felt perfectly calibrated – quick enough to be practical, slow enough to appear graceful and controlled. The V6 provided its own compelling soundtrack as we crossed the bridges toward Miami Beach, the induction whoosh and turbo pressure valve hiss creating layers of sound that made the experience genuinely immersive.

The temperature hovered around 28 degrees with humidity that felt tropical and welcoming. With the roof down and warm air flowing through the cabin, the conditions felt perfect for experiencing Miami the way it demands – open to the elements, engaged with the environment.

Miami: Theatre and recognition

Ocean Drive at golden hour provided the ideal stage for the MC20 Cielo’s presence. The art deco architecture and period Cadillacs created a backdrop that complemented the car’s classical proportions and stylised drama. The butterfly doors attracted appreciation whenever we stopped. Watching the door lift never gets old – the mechanism’s confident movement is truly unique.

Arriving at the Eden Roc Hotel delivered more memorable moments. The valet team spotted the Cielo from distance, immediately clearing the prime parking position at the hotel’s main entrance. As we pulled into the spot – front and centre, positioned for maximum visibility – the pink neon lights that define the Eden Roc’s iconic entrance illuminated the paintwork in extraordinary ways.

The deep green responded to the neon glow, picking up pink highlights whilst maintaining its jewel-like depth and richness. The valet reached for the door handle button and the butterfly door lifted with its characteristic forceful confidence.

The valet staff welcomed us, complimenting not just the car’s beauty but specific details – the finish, the carbon fibre accents, the way the door handles felt under his palm. This became a pattern throughout our Miami stay – people who genuinely appreciated quality craftsmanship recognising what Maserati achieved.

Collins Avenue at dusk, with art deco hotels casting coloured light across the street, provided opportunity to explore South Beach properly. I found myself deliberately downshifting using the paddle shifters, savouring the substantial click beneath my fingertips and the mechanical clunk as the transmission engaged lower gears. The response felt immediate and precise, every input producing expected results without delay.

The throttle proved beautifully calibrated, translating right foot inputs into predictable power delivery. I could feel the turbos spooling through the pedal, sense the pressure building, and exploit the surge with precision. The progressive nature of the power delivery made the car feel utterly exploitable rather than intimidating.

Wynwood: Performance revealed

The Wynwood district’s wide streets provided opportunity to explore Corsa mode and the Nettuno engine’s full potential. I rotated the mode selector all the way to its most aggressive setting, feeling the detent click firmly into position. The car’s character sharpened immediately – throttle response became razor-sharp, the exhaust valves opened fully, and the suspension stiffened to its most focused setting.

Launch control held the engine at 5,000 rpm, the displays showing readiness through clear visual cues. I pressed the touch-button starter on the steering wheel to confirm activation. Release the brake and the Cielo launched forward with thrilling ferocity, the rear tyres scrabbling for grip as 630 horsepower overwhelmed adhesion momentarily. The sensation pushed me back into that beautifully supportive seat, my hands gripping the steering wheel firmly.

Each upshift via the paddle shifters produced that satisfying mechanical clunk, the substantial feel of proper engineering beneath my fingertips. The car lurched forward with renewed urgency as each ratio engaged, the turbos maintaining pressure across the rev range. The induction whoosh behind our heads intensified with speed, the pressure valve’s hiss providing satisfying punctuation between acceleration runs. This was driving as full-body experience – visual, auditory, tactile, and emotional stimulation combining into something genuinely memorable and fun.

Brickell: Versatility confirmed

The drive through Brickell’s financial district on Thursday morning demonstrated the Cielo’s remarkable versatility. I rotated the mode selector back to GT, feeling the satisfying click as it settled into position. The transformation was complete and immediate – the same car that had just delivered visceral acceleration became a refined grand tourer suitable for urban environments.

The cabin’s craftsmanship revealed itself during slower driving. My hands traced the carbon fibre’s subtle texture, appreciating how it caught morning light. The Alcantara surfaces felt wonderful to touch. The seat remained perfectly comfortable after hours behind the wheel, supporting without restricting.

The infotainment system’s sophisticated graphics and mature interface made navigation intuitive and pleasant. Where some rivals employ childish animations and video-game aesthetics, Maserati chose grown-up refinement that proved both beautiful and functional.

The journey’s rewards

The coastal route from Palm Beach to Miami proved the perfect environment to understand the MC20 Cielo’s character. Every interaction felt considered and premium – from the reassuring weight of the key fob, to the forceful confidence of the door mechanism, to the substantial click of the paddle shifters. These accumulated into something greater than the sum of their parts.

The Verde Royale finish – available through Maserati’s Fuoriserie bespoke programme – looked magnificent against ocean backdrops, art deco architecture, and urban landscapes alike. People stopped to admire it, take photographs, ask questions. The car generated connection and conversation everywhere we went.

The retractable glass roof with its electrochromic Cielo button proved genuinely transformative. The instant transition from opaque to clear felt almost magical every time, the technology working flawlessly without drama or delay. The Sonus faber system elevated every journey, whether playing Will Smith as we entered Miami or simply enjoying the mechanical symphony the engine provided.

Final reflections

I returned the Cielo to Palm Beach on Friday morning, the odometer showing 412 additional miles of coastal Florida exploration. The car emerged from three days of spirited use without complaint, every control and mechanism operating with the same precision and quality as when I collected it.

What stayed with me beyond the performance statistics was how genuinely enjoyable every moment felt. The waves from fellow enthusiasts, the parking spots cleared by valets, the conversations sparked with strangers who simply wanted to admire something beautiful. But more than external recognition, I remembered the internal experience – the satisfying click of the paddle shifters, the textured mode selector beneath my palm, the supportive seat, the forceful confidence of the doors, the sophisticated displays that proved beauty and functionality needn’t conflict.

The journey between Palm Beach and Miami revealed the MC20 Cielo’s true character as a machine that performs brilliantly whilst maintaining refinement and quality in every detail. The visceral driving experience sets it apart. The predictable turbo surge, the induction whoosh, the hissing pressure valve, the mechanical clunk of gear changes, the satisfying weight and texture of every control – these elements engage the senses in ways that create lasting memories and genuine driving pleasure.

This was a fun trip in a genuinely cool car that proved itself across varied conditions whilst maintaining its sense of occasion and quality. Those seeking a supercar that combines track-ready performance with genuine refinement, dramatic presence with understated elegance, and visceral engagement with everyday usability should experience what I discovered along Florida’s coast. The MC20 Cielo succeeds by making every journey feel special and every interaction feel premium – creating memorable moments whilst looking magnificent doing so.