GT2 Stradale. (MASERATI)
Just last weekend, the public got its first glimpse of the latest Maserati creation. Unveiled at Monterey Car Week 2024 in California, the Maserati GT2 Stradale exemplifies the essence of …Maserati. This isn’t just a reflection of my limited vocabulary or lack of automotive expertise (well, maybe a bit of the latter), but rather highlights how the brand uniquely combines the best aspects of racing with high-performance vehicles available for the masses.
The Maserati GT2 Stradale embodies this philosophy perfectly. It inherits advanced technology from the track-focused GT2 (developed for the brand’s return to GT racing) and fuses it with the elegant design cues of the MC20. The person who wrote the phrase ‘Road-legal, barely’ truly deserves recognition.
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As the House of the Trident celebrates 110 years of racing history this year, it’s highlighting its remarkable achievements. The first customer unit of the track-only MCXtrema, the Maserati Classiche program, and limited edition MC20 Icona models honor the 20th anniversary of the GT championships’ return. This led us to ponder.
Yes, these initiatives are predominantly occurring in North America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the luxury, technology, and aesthetic brilliance of these vehicles. Here are five recent favorites.
Fragment Design Ghibli
In a collaboration that took many by surprise, the “godfather” of streetwear, Hiroshi Fujiwara, joined forces with the brand on the classic sedan. The result was the historic full-black Operanera and all-white Operabianca. The discreet alphanumeric code M157110519FRG signifies Ghibli’s internal ID, the date of Fujiwara’s first visit to Centro Stile Maserati on November 5, 2019, and an acronym for Fragment.
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Global brand ambassador David Beckham customized his own MC20 with elements inspired by Miami. While you can’t get your hands on that unique model, his vision is available in a dedicated two-color collection. “Night Interaction” blue takes inspiration from the 1967 Maserati Ghibli, which was the first Maserati to leave a mark on Beckham; while “Verde Royale” dark green draws influence from the 1986 Maserati Quattroporte Royale, an exclusive version of the four-door sports car.
MC20 Leggenda
MC12 GT1, MC20 Leggenda. (MASERATI)
Styled after the championship-winning MC12 GT1, this eye-catching model features a sleek Nero Essenza exterior and Digital Mint accents, complete with matching glossy black wheels and colored Tridents. Its impressive looks are matched by an intricately designed interior that includes lightweight four-way monocoque racing seats and extensive carbon fiber usage, all driven by a commitment to performance.
Barbie Maserati Grecale
Barbie Maserati Grecale. (MASERATI)
The Maserati F Tributo offers a touching tribute to Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to compete in Formula 1. However, it lacks the striking appeal of the eye-catching hot pink Barbiecore Grecale. This ultra-limited edition Mattel SUV is available in just two custom units worldwide. A portion of the proceeds from the one sold at Neiman Marcus’ Fantasy Gift event went to the Barbie Dream Gap Project; a charity initiative advocating for equal opportunities for girls. In addition to the Barbie logo, the pink stitching, and the racing nods through acid-yellow trimmings, this Trofeo model features an iridescent finish for added glamour.
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420M/58 (Eldorado)
420M/58 Eldorado. (MASERATI)
Although we mentioned recent years, we couldn’t overlook a Maserati commissioned by an ice cream company. Known as the Eldorado Sud, it was nicknamed after its sponsor in 1958 and was created to compete in a race aimed at merging European and American racing cultures. Despite reaching speeds exceeding 350 km/h, the steering failed at 250 km/h, and driver Stirling Moss labeled it the most frightening motor racing incident of his career. Fortunately, he was unharmed, and the automobile has since been restored and is now part of the Umberto Panini Collection.
Maserati
This article originally appeared on EsquireSg.com.
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