Bucket Seat: Maserati MC Edition

MC stands for Maserati Corse: a sporty nature, fostered on the track for everyday competition. The new MC Edition celebrates Maserati's uncompromising performance and racing spirit.

Victories, trophies, legendary cars and drivers: the world of racing immediately comes to mind when thinking of the Trident Brand, here paying tribute to its glorious history. The focus is on the versions equipped with a V8 engine to highlight the concept of “uncompromising driving pleasure”: the most powerful Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte become the stars of a new edition with a captivating aesthetic.

MC Edition epitomises performance, orientation towards victory and bold driving pleasure, echoing a story that began almost 96 years ago when the Tipo 26 – the first model to bear the Trident on the bonnet – won the 1,500 cc class at the Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel. The same racing feeling can now be found in this specific edition, available on the Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte in two exclusive colours: Giallo Corse and Blu Vittoria. The exterior clearly recalls the Brand’s roots, with its exclusive colours and powerful sporty character. 

Yellow and blue are the colours of Modena, the city that symbolises the Motor Valley and is the home of Maserati. Giallo Corse is a three-layer yellow colour with blue mica interfering with the light in a highly sophisticated manner, for a sporty and advanced look. Conversely, Blu Vittoria is a matte three-layer blue. Extremely deep, impactful, new and contemporary, it has a notably tangible effect. To complement the exterior, the MC Edition range features distinctive details in Piano Black and a specific badge on the rear fender and B-pillar. The Levante MC Edition has 22" wheels, with 21” rims on the Ghibli and Quattroporte. The gloss black finish of the wheel rims and blue brake callipers complete the look.

The specs of the special series are completed with an electronic sunroof, Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system and Driver Assistance package. The MC Edition’s unique link with racing spirit and Modena is also evident in the interior features, including components in blue carbon fibre in the cabin. The yellow and blue stitching on the seats across the natural Nero Pienofiore black leather is juxtaposed with denim accents. The headrest is embellished with the MC Edition logo and a dedicated badge takes over the centre of the console. 

Unprecedented performance and driving pleasure require an uncompromising visual impact: taking Maserati’s roots as a starting point, MC Edition creates a perfect “racing style” and celebrates the power rooted in the beating heart of racing and the DNA devoted to the competitions typical of the Motor Valley

Here's to 2018

With old age comes bad memory, unfortunately as I get older I tend to forget things too which is why every time I go out or see something interesting, I take a picture of it. Also in line with the blogging, there is a lot of pictures involved there too, so it's a good way to document my life as such and it comes in very handy on days like today, when I decided to a year in review post so I can scroll back in my photo feed and relive some of the most memorable parts of the year. 

2017 sure was an eventful year for the blog, in my personal life, it was pretty hectic as well seeing that apart from many, many, many friends of mine tying the knot, my own brother did so too. It also saw my fear of public speaking being put to bed for a bit after I had to deliver a speech at his wedding. This year also almost saw me move cities, I've never left Durban, only on holiday. The thought of leaving this city was a daunting but the prospect of a new beginning somewhere else did prove to be quite exciting but in the end it wasn't to be and I remained in Durban...not that I'm complaining. But anyway, back to the blog, I launched the blogs dedicated Instagram page, which I didn't realise at first how much hard work it would be but I enjoy the challenge, keeping people up to date on a daily basis on the ongoings of the world that represents the blog. It hasn't reached the following I expected it to, but I rather continue posting the things I do and generate an organic following instead of taking the buying follower option *side eye*.

This year saw an increase in the car reviews on the blog with some new manufacturers being introduced, one that might stand out from the rest is the Italian luxury sports car brand, infamous with their trident logo, Maserati. I drove the Maserati Ghibli in March this year, and I still struggle to find the words that would do this car justice. It was my first experience driving a supercar on my own, unsupervised, it's a terrifying but exhilrating at the same time. I was due to get another model from them but due to overlapping events, this was not possible but not to worry, we will do our best to get more of these beautiful beasts featured in 2018. Another new manufacturer introduced this year was Mazda, I've always been a big fan of this Japanese motor-manufacturer . From their new Kodo design philosophy to the great tech used in their engines. Having just tested two of their models, I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of otheres next year. 

Interms of car launches, I was fortunate enough to attend the new MINI Countryman launh as well as the new BMW 4 Series launch and most recently the new BMW X3 launch. Both fantastic vehicles and readers of the blog would have read my indepth thoughts on two o the new 4 Series variants that we had on test. I was also lucky enough to attend the launch of the all new Ford Kuga, with the unfortuante problems that faced the original model it was great to see Ford SA bounce back with an awesome product and one that offered more but was less in price that it's predesscor!

On the Tech side, we were introduced to a new cellphone manufacturer to the market, Hisense. While the brand isn't popular known for their mobile devices, we've come to learn a lot about their offerings. Huawei still remains one of the biggest growing brands in the world and we're glad we could continue bringing you the latest information on their new products, as well as attending the launch of the all new flagship smart phone device, the Mate10 Pro. The devices introduces a new era in cell phone technology with it being the first device of its kind to offer AI technology on its device, which does not require a network connection to operate! Next year we pre-empting the release of the P11 and the Mate11 so we're keen to see what new features that these have to offer.

Music whise, we didn't attend any of the noteworthy music festivals but thats not to say there were not any, just happened to be that I had weddings to attend when they were on...another *side eye*. 

Next year see's Ultra South Africa return for it's 5th year and we will be there to bring you all the happenings at the event. On the blog we've featured a great number of new songs and were introduced some great new talent in the process. A stand out for us had to be W&W aliais trance name, NWYR. After a mind blowing performance at Ultra Miami, the Dutch duo were back at Tomorrowland to wow crowds there with their great mixes and electronic beats. Most of their music is still unreleased and we hope to hear them soon. 

2017 also saw us attend a lot of events in the restaurant scene with many new places opening up in Durban. We will still be continuing this segment in the future with more awesome restaurant reviews coming up on the Bucket Scene. We haven't been reviewing much hotels of recent, due to other engagements but we hope to have the travel part up to speed next year with Tsogo Sun. On the Bucket Babe front, it had been an issue finding time to interview models with their busy schedules but we will try to improve on this in time to come. Overall, 2017 has been a rollercoaster ride for us here on the Bucket, and normally with posts like this, we tend to worry about the year that past instead of focusing on the future, hence the title of this post is "here's to 2018", as we look ahead to whatever is instore for us. A big THANK YOU to all our readers, from all over the globe, without  you guys, none of this would be possible. We look forward to your support in 2018. 

Bucket Seat: Maserati Ghibli

Last week I found myself in a very fortunate position, while seated in one of the most beautiful cars I have ever driven, the Maserati Ghibli. There's just so much history in that name, from their establishment in 1914 in the Italian town of Bologna, there was one key mission for them and it transpired into their tag line, "Luxury, sports and style cast in exclusive cars". And that's exactly what they've been doing for over the past 100 years, and doing it well. Whilst car enthusiast cast their eyes to the two giants of Italian motorcars in Maranello and Sant'Agata Bolognese, very rarely would they take note at what is coming out of the stable in Bologna. While Maserati now forms a sister company with Ferrari, the partnership has proved for the better, with shared technology in engines and engineering as well with the added bonus of Ferrari's F1 knowledge which has helped later generations of Maserati's compete with the other big boys on the market.

Maserati were synonymous in crafting sports, luxury vehicles and that trend has continued today with their fleet extending from Coupes, Convertibles to large and medium size luxury sedans, and not too long ago they launched their all new SUV, the Levante. Being a fan of large sedans, the Quattroporte was a firm favourite of mine for a while now, it's big, loud and fast but at the same time luxurious. So when Maserati re-launched the Ghibli a few years back, I was quite excited to see a somewhat smaller brother to the Quattroporte. It was very similar in looks but in a smaller frame but encapsulated everything about the brand and the heritage. I got to spend a few days with it during my stay in Cape Town this past week and to say I became infatuated with the car is an understatement.

STYLE

Where do I begin? This car just oozed style and everywhere I went it got the attention of many. The lines are clean and sophisticated with the right amount of elegance that just captures the eye in such a pleasant way. It's low stance gives it that sports car feel but the four doors make it known that is also for business and not for just for pleasure. Subtle details on the car just gives you an indication of the craftsmanship that go into the design of the Ghibli, from the sculpted rear end to the trident badge which adorns the rear pillar of the back door. The three side vents that are place on either side of the car to allow for excess hot air to escape from the engine bay look rather like an accessory than it serving a functional purpose. Everything about the design just flows and works, it really is something special to look at and I caught myself many a time just stopping to admire it. There's various customisations for every Ghibli, from the outside to the interior, ensuring your one is unique to your taste and style.

COMFORT

Italians are known for their quality and this transpires into the cabin of the Ghibli, its a lap of luxury couple with style that only the Italians could get right. Exotic materials and leather make up most of the cabin with the embossed trident proudly on each of the front head rests. The interior plays a major role in setting the Ghibli apart from much of its competitors. The high quality finishes are everywhere to be seen, with perfect stitching throughout the cabin. The large infotainment screen is simple and easy to use. There were some features that I felt the car lacked, for example, heating and cooling seats but it really wasn't a major train smash that the car didn't have them as it had many other bells and whistles. Electronic adjustable memory seats, active cruise control were just some of them. Even with the low ride height and sports suspension, there was no compromise on the quality of the ride comfort and it was something that just astounded me through out my time with the car.

PERFORMANCE

The main talking point, the engine! The Ghibli is powered by a 3 liter twin turbo V6 engine which in fact is made by Ferrari. Although it is a quite powerful unit, the Ghibli isn't as fast as one would expect it to be, the power output derived from the engine is 330bhp, with 243kW and 450Nm of torque. There are other cars in a similar segment that are faster but with the Ghibli, the responsiveness of the engine coupled with the fine tuned exhaust make for a symphony of sound to your eyes, which is elevated when switched over to Sport mode. It is probably one of the best sounding cars around, the noise that come out of those pipes are music to any car enthusiasts ears. But that's not to say the Ghibli is a slouch, it does hunt down the tarmac quite fast and while there is a slight lag in the turbo on normal mode, this dissipates quite quickly when sport mode is engaged. The handling is superb and can be done with one hand but it is not advised. The large aluminium paddles behind the steering wheel give you this race car feel as you flick through the 8 speed gear box while the car devours the road in front of it.

STORAGE

Now being a sports car, you won't expect much but the Ghibli has a rather large loading capacity, the boot is huge! You can easily fit more than one golf bag in there and on the inside you will find various storage compartments for different things. The glove box even has a switch for it to be cooled should you want to store any items that need to be kept cool. With this, the car did display more and more reason as to why it could be an every day car to use. 

TECH

As mentioned the Ghibli is packed with features, they could have done slightly better with the infotainment screen, not that it doesn't work well but it just feels a bit generic. The reverse camera quality is also one that needs a mention, while you can see where you are going it could be of better resolution. The cars instrument panel is simple yet striking and bares a resemblance to the one in the Quattroporte, the information screen in the middle can give the driver various information about the car with the flick of a button on his steering wheel. Dual Climate control for the front passengers as well as vents at the back for its occupants, of which I tested quite a lot with the ongoing heatwave in the Western Cape. The car has various ports and blue-tooth connectivity and a banging standard sound system, should you wish to upgrade to something louder, there are options with Bowers and Wilkins as well as Harman Kardon on the list. Glass sunroof with easy to use switches for me are a must and it's great that the test car I had, came with it. 

VERDICT

The brands mission statement is "Build ultra-luxury performance automobiles with timeless Italian style, accommodating bespoke interiors, and effortless, signature sound power." and Maserati have not only done this but it's done brilliantly. While many out there may look at the price and be put off but one has to understand the league in which such a vehicle sits in. Whilst there might be cheaper alternatives, the character that the Ghibli has, is severely lacking in many of the others. Also the owner will have a greater sense of appreciation in the product he's paying for. What Maserati have done with the Ghibli is so much more than just make another car, they've made a masterpiece for it's owner to enjoy and boast about.

SPECIFICATION

Engine	3.0 litre, Twin Turbo V6
Gear Box	8 speed automatic with paddle shift
Power	243kW
Torque	450Nm
Top Speed	230km/h
0-100km	5.5  seconds
Price	R 1,470,840

Pictures by Justin Lee Photography and AMG133

Maserati Cape Town Race Week

My past trip to Cape Town saw me visit the V&A Waterfront where Maserati SA were hosting the Maserati Cape Town Race Week. It is Cape Town's premier yacht racing regatta which is built upon a foundation laid by many great summer regattas before it. With Maserati at the forefront, the organisers and Royal Cape Yacht club believe that the opportunity is now to create an even that has a lasting impact on sailing in South Africa, but also the community of Cape Town at Large. 

With some of the biggest sailing events in the world being hosted in Cape Town, it made perfect sense for Maserati to seize this opportunity. The Volvo Ocean Race, The Vendee Globe, The Clipper Race and Cape To Rio all taking place from December till March and Maserati will be there showcasing some of their vehicle range, including their recently launched SUV, the Levante. Also on offer to visitors is the Corsa Classica Museum with some classics of yesteryear from the Italian Supercar manufacturer. It was an excellent display and attracted the crowds in the area. 

Win a Maserati with Suncoast!

So this past Saturday I was invited by my good friends at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World for the unveiling of their new car prize, exclusively for their Black Card holders. I knew the car would be something really special since it was for their most valued clients and the event was being hosted in the exclusive Prive area of the Casino. Upon arrival I was greeted by the ever glitzy and gorgeous promo girls and handed some welcome drinks as we awaited the countdown to be completed and the covers lifted on this much anticipated prize. 

The lights dimmed as the clock struck zero, all you could hear was an engine roar. The sweet sound of a twin turbo powered V6 is music to any car enthusiasts ears, finally we saw what lay underneath the black cloak, the new Maserati Ghibli! Invited guests were in awe, of the beauty as well as the magnitude of this R1.8 million rand prize on display. "The stunning Maserati is one of the most spectacular vehicles that Suncoast has ever given away" says Meshalin Naidoo, Events & Promotions Manager at Suncoast. "This exciting promotion will give our valued Black Cardholders the opportunity to not only become the proud owner of this spectacular car but also win amazing cash prizes."

The car forms part of Suncoast Reign Supreme promotion, which launches tomorrow, Thursday the 1st of December and runs until 31st March 2017 where one lucky person will walk away, or rather drive away with this impressive vehicle. Suncoast Black cardholders will need to play their favourite slots and tables from 1 December to 9th March 2017 to qualify for the cash and car draws. Every 15,000 points accumulated will earn them an entry in the Crash Draw to win a share of the R250,000. This draw takes place on the 10th of March 2017. Black Cardholders who have earned 400,000 points or more between 1 December and 9 March 2017 will qualify for the car draw on 31 March 2017 where they stand the chance of driving off a classy Maserati Ghibli V6 and R200,000 cash.

As part of the launch, guests were given the opportunity to go for a drive in the Ghibli as well as the Quattroporte and Gran Cabrio Sport models. All of which left guests speechless with the power, elegance and luxury of them all. To tell us more about the Ghibli, Brian van Blerk, the National Corporate Sales Manger for Maserati was on hand to do so. "Ghibli is the Libyan word for 'Sirocco', the hot, dry, southwesterly desert wind. The sporty, sophisticated yet dynamic model is the embodiment of the soul of the Maserati brand and is a magnificent vehicle to own. It was first launched in 2013 at the Shanghai Motor Show."

For more information on Suncoast's exiciting Reign Supreme promotion, visit www.suncoastcasino.co.za or follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Face of Maserati 2015 - Genevieve Morton

We South Africans are an extremely patriotic bunch and love to celebrate our successes, whether it be on the sporting front,  innovation or personal front, if there's a link back to South Africa we're behind it....besides Xenophobia, we don't like that shit. There's many South Africans that have done well for themselves abroad,  most recently Trevor Noah was announced as the new host for the Daily Show, relatively unknown across the broader USA, even though he's had sellout performances in that country, he has done damn well and we are proud of his accomplishment as a country.

This week another South African has impressed on the international stage, local blonde bombshell Genevieve Morton was announced as the official face of Maserati for 2015. The Italian luxury sports vehicle manufacturer chose the Benoni born Genevieve to be the global face of their new range of vehicles. Needless to say Gen needs no introduction,  born in Benoni, raised on the east coast just outside Durban,  she was basically born to be in a bikini. She sky rocketed to fame in the local publications, FHM and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition but was later picked up and featured in the international Sports Illustrated magazine of which she's been featured for the past 6 years! This year's issue featured a body paint segment in which she was undoubtedly the star.

It's great that Maserati have picked up on her talents, that golden blonde hair and sparkly blue eyes makes her instantly attractive to anyone and her bubbly personality is an added bonus. She is one the main reasons I have instagram and Snapchat at the moment and if I could get periscope I would! The ad campaign sees her in a number of different scenes with the various models from their stable, most significant would be her in the vintage race car wearing the full racing suit. It's different from what we've become used to seeing her in but at the same time beautiful and elegant. Like I said from the start, we as South Africans love to see us achieve big things in this world and celebrating our successes is what makes us great as a country, we might be this small blip at the bottom of the continent but we sure now how to make ourselves noticeable.

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