New stable for Italian stallions

14 April 2011 - 22:22 By By PHUTI MPYANE
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The sole distributors of Ferrari and Maserati brands in South Africa, Viglietti Motors, recently held an opening ceremony and hosted a shindig for high flyers to celebrate the official opening of the company's new outlet in the heart of Bryanston.



Situated on Hobart Street, the flamboyant new premises has been designed to reflect both the brands that stand on its floors and to act as a collage of the history and passion of both of these Italian marques.

With separate floors and section for both Ferrari and Maserati, it's a celebration of all that is Italian with everything, including the fabrics, building materials and even the ties, fixed to the staff originating from the motherland. Mervyn Eagles, who heads Viglietti Motors, speaks proudly of the company's newest building, which is also credited with being the first in the world to carry Ferrari and Maserati's new corporate identity which will be rolled out worldwide.

This new look is made up of glass, chrome and composite materials which interestingly, also act as the core in engineering the cars.

For each brand, studios have been built where clients can sit comfortably while personalising their cars.

A CGI interface running off a massive wall-mounted screen, is used for clients to study a super-imposed, digital image of their dream steed.

This allows for mixing and matching of every interchangeable detail on the cars, including the colour of the brake-callipers.

The new building accommodates plenty of office space, studios and a massive workshop where trained engineers will look into any problems encountered by the clientele.

On hand to answer the flurry of journalists' questions, were a handful of bigwigs who included Umberto Cini who heads up Maserati Middle East. Cini revealed that Maserati was planning to explore even more niches.

Who knows, and since Maserati is the four-door specialist of the Italian luxury group, perhaps an SUV is in order.

Also in attendance was Enrico Galliera, the commercial marketing vice-president for Ferrari S.p.A.

He confirmed the arrival of the company's new exotic - the four-wheel drive, four-seater, FF, on SA soil in only a few weeks' time.

The new Viglietti Motors branch is also earmarked as a space where owners can meet and enjoy activities such as Formula One races.

It is to be used as a Ferrari club but the jury is out on whether mere Tifosi will be allowed in.

Eagles says the Cape Town branch, which acts as headquarters for the company, will also be refurbished in line with the Joburg building.

He also mentioned that KwaZulu-Natal fanatics' thirst for the Cavallino Rampante will be quenched in the near future as a dealership is earmarked for Umhlanga.

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