Maserati Grecale Launches in South Africa


A few years ago I got to experience the magic of Maserati when I test drove one of their convertibles at the GeroTech driving range. So I was excited when the invitation to the new Maserati Grecale popped into my inbox!

So off we went, to the launch of the new Maserati Grecale in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

Grecale strikes the right balance between versatilityeleganceperformance and innovation, guaranteeing performance, comfort and safety, all at the same time. These features are combined with off-road capabilities and uncompromising driving pleasure.
Developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab in Modena, the new SUV is produced at the Cassino plant.

Grecale is a range within the range, the Trident brand’s fullest ever. An extremely wide range of engines is available: conventional internal combustion, hybrid and, in a year’s time, Grecale will also be the first full-electric SUV in Maserati history.

Three versions are coming to South Africa:

GT, powered by a four-cylinder mild hybrid engine capable of delivering 300 hp; 

Modena, with a four-cylinder 330-hp mild hybrid engine;

and the powerful Trofeo, equipped with a high-performance 3.0L 530-hp petrol V6 based on the Nettuno engine fitted to the MC20.

At launch, the Grecale is also available in the PrimaSerie Launch Edition, a limited edition featuring exclusive content.

To complete the range, the Grecale Folgore, the 100% electric version with 400V technology.

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10th Season of Car S.O.S on National Geographic

Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend next to the Pristine. (National Geographic)

National Geographic’s top-rated car restoration show with a heart, Car S.O.S, has returned to screens for its tenth season and can be seen on Tuesdays at 19:00 (C.A.T.) on DSTV Channel 181 (National Geographic). The series consists of 10 unmissable new episodes including a very special anniversary show, featuring the 100th car to be made-over on the series and a stack of celebrity faces who will be popping up throughout the run.

Each new episode features a different heart-warming and inspiring story from owners who deserve the chance to have their treasured classic motor car fully restored back to its prime condition, with car enthusiast Tim Shaw and master mechanic Fuzz Townshend, who are joined by special guest stars, including ex-England football legends Bryan Robson and Wes Brown, who are on hand to lend their time, energy and moral support to a very special Car S.O.S reveal at Old Trafford football stadium. Other celebrity Car S.O.S fans who make cameo appearances in the series are David Beckham, Sir Paul McCartney, TV mechanic and motoring specialist Edd China and Emmerdale actress Natalie J. Robb.  

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New DiDi ride-hailing service takes a front seat in SA vaccination drive

DiDi, the Chinese ride-hailing service that started operating in Gauteng at the start of September, will subsidise approximately R1.5 million worth of trips to help get the people of South Africa to and from vaccination sites in Gauteng, Cape Town and Gqueberha.

DiDi will launch a vaccination drive in three provinces on 27 September 2021, offering 36,000 vouchers. Eligible riders that are registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and DiDi’s Vaccine application system will get a return voucher that will entitle the qualifying riders to a R40 discount on their trip (total value of R80) and will expire 30 days after receipt.

DiDi is committed to playing its part in helping South Africans get vaccinated against COVID-19. Carina Smith-Allin, DiDi’s Head of PR and Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, explains that a lack of accessibility to vaccination sites should not be the reason preventing South Africans from getting vaccinated. “Committed to our goal of being much more than just another ride-hailing service, DiDi has taken the initiative to launch our own vaccination drive.”

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Standard Bank Polo in the Park at Steyn City

Standard Bank and newly founded, African Deluxe Company, hosted the very first Polo In The Park event in Africa on Saturday 16 November. This spectacular event took place at the luxurious Parkland Residence, Steyn City. The new Polo Park, specifically built for this event, created a magnificent backdrop, with breath-taking views of Steyn City’s manicured parklands, overlooking the pristine Jack Nicklaus designed golf course and international award-winning clubhouse.

“Since inception, Steyn City has set out to create the space for families and friends to spend time together, doing what they love best,” comments Tammy Menton, Group Head of Marketing and Events, Steyn City Properties. “Polo in the Park is a perfect example of this, an event which speaks to our own ethos, which revolves around providing a lifestyle that’s unrivalled by anything else in South Africa.  Of course, given facilities like our world class equestrian centre, it goes without saying that many of our residents are equine enthusiasts!”

Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

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Standard Bank Jo’burg Polo in the Park

African Deluxe Company is proud to announce its inaugural event, the Standard Bank Polo in the Park, set to take place on Saturday 16th November 2019, at Steyn City Parkland Residence, in Johannesburg.

Headlined by Standard Bank, Park Polo is a first of its kind concept for Africa. This is a modern form of action polo, forming part of a new global polo movement focused on creating exciting ways to play polo in and around urban centres, where space is often limited. Rules are simplified, teams change ends only at half time rather than after every goal, and the polo field is smaller, so this makes the game quicker and simpler, and it brings the spectators closer to the action by way of an arena-style polo playing field, which for this event, Steyn City built from scratch.

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