MASERATI GT2 STRADALE
From Track to Road
Images © MASERATI SpA
Following the introduction of the Maserati GT2 racing car based on the MC20 and some special MC20 derivatives, the road-going version of the race car, the GT2 Stradale, has finally hit the tarmac and will soon be on sale, starting in Europe in April.
The road-legal version of the GT2 debuted in Spain with a driving experience for stakeholders and customers from across the globe. From the charming city of Marbella, the test drive route wound its way through the panoramic curves of the Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves to arrive at the private Ascari circuit near Ronda, the pearl of Andalusia.
Prior to the launch in Andalusia, the GT2 Stradale made its world premiere at “The Quail” during the Monterey Car Week in California. Also on stage at The Quail, were two other spectacular Trident cars, the MC20 Icona, on display for the first time in North America, and the MCXtrema, featuring at Laguna Seca. The MC20 Icona is a special series created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Maserati’s return to the track in the GT championships with the 2004 MC12, the predecessor to the current MC20.
Indeed, Maserati has a long and glorious sporting history, and the MC20 project continues this tradition. The result is the Maserati GT2, which took the Modena-based manufacturer back to racing victory in the Fanatec GT2 European Series championship. Maserati believes the GT2 category is the ideal platform for its sporting legacy, meeting the desires of racing customer enthusiasts—private teams and gentleman drivers.
PERFORMANCE TRANSFER
The Maserati GT2 Stradale combines the in-depth technology transfer of pure race-car performance with the intrinsic supercar qualities of the MC20. Thus, this super sports car combines racing-style function with a more comfortable on-road driving experience.
Bringing together the best of the MC20 and the GT2, the V6 Nettuno engine in the Stradale delivers maximum output of 471 kW, 7.3 kW more than the MC20, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds (being 60 kg lighter than the MC20 makes it the most agile rear-wheel drive car in its category) and reaches a top speed of 324 km/h.
Also, thanks to its sophisticated aerodynamics and attractive design inherited from its racing sibling, the GT2 Stradale combines the extreme, refined performance of the racing world with the option of uncompromising driving in the utmost comfort—a mix of Maserati’s two iconic worlds: elegance and racing. In Andalusia, the GT2 Stradale was also kitted out in various liveries, created as part of the Fuoriserie customisation programme.
Production of the GT2 Stradale began in December at the historic plant on Viale Ciro Menotti in Modena. As mentioned on the specific badge positioned on the central tunnel, only 914 units will be available. The lettering “1 of 914” explicitly references 1914, the year Maserati was founded. It remains to be seen whether a unit from this limited run will make it to Mzansi.
BMW M3 CS Touring
Extreme Wagon
Images © BMW AG
It took BMW M over 30 years to release a wagon variant of the iconic M3 but following the introduction of the M3 Touring late last year, the M Division has been quick to release a CS derivative – also the first of its kind – at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, as part of the Bathurst 12 Hour race programme – with South African brothers Kelvin and Sheldon van der Linde in the winning BMW M4 GT3.
Interestingly, for its world premiere, this latest addition to BMW’s most popular range was showcased in a Laguna Seca Blue paint finish – conjuring up memories of the first supercar fast station wagon, the Audi RS Avant, released over three decades ago. The M3 CS Touring builds on the success of the Competition Touring with M xDrive by further blending the super wagon’s distinctive character with even greater performance potential.
Providing an emotionally exhilarating performance, the CS derivative incorporates model-specific characteristics including engine management tweaks for a 15 kW increase in power to 405 kW. Peak engine torque of 650 Nm is developed between 2,750 and 5,950 rpm, with maximum output at 6,250 rpm.
An even sharper engine response and extremely direct power transmission to the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive system powers the CS Touring from rest to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, and zero to 200 km/h is achieved in 11.7 seconds. The special-edition model’s top speed with standard M Driver’s Package is electronically limited to 300 km/h.
Intelligent lightweight design measures also significantly contribute to the fast wagon’s performance attributes. This includes the extensive use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, and rear diffuser. M Carbon bucket seats, CFRP steering wheel shift paddles, interior trim strips, and centre console also save weight (some 15 kg over the M3 Competition Touring).
An optional M front end strut brace for the engine compartment further increases body rigidity. M Compound brakes with callipers in red or black provide outstanding stopping power. M Carbon ceramic brakes with red or matt gold callipers are also available. Track tyres (275/35 ZR19 at the front, 285/30 ZR20 at the rear) are fitted as standard. Sport tyres are a no-cost option, and ultra-track tyres are included on the options list.
The special edition CS Touring will be introduced in the South African market in the first quarter of 2026. The M3 CS derivative will be produced alongside all other variants of the M3 sedan and M3 Touring at BMW Group Plant Munich.
ALFA ROMEO JUNIOR
Hybrid for Bambino
Image © STELLANTIS
The smallest SUV in the Alfa Romeo lineup may have had a rocky start, with a forced name change from Milano to Junior due to criticism from the Italian government regarding using the name of an Italian city for a vehicle built in Poland. Yet in January this year, the latest sexy little number from the Biscione brand recorded exciting sales results, with over 22,000 orders placed and a BEV mix of 21%.
This result far exceeds Milan’s forecasts and can in part be attributed to the arrival of the Ibrida Q4 version, which will complete the lineup for now. Already available in Europe and the Middle East, this is an excellent start to the year for the Junior ahead of the imminent opening of sales in Japan and Australia—with South Africa perhaps on the cards for later this year.
The Ibrida joins the Junior range alongside the all-electric Elletrica and Veloce variants and is available with a choice of 115 kW or 207 kW electric powertrains. It combines a 48V lithium-ion battery with a 21 kW electric motor integrated into a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, offering performance and efficiency. The Ibrida allows for efficient city driving, with the option to operate in electric-only mode at low speeds or under light load.
The Junior Ibrida features the Leggenda scudetto grille as standard, and it comes with 17″ diamond cut alloy wheels, LED headlamps and taillamps, gloss black mirror covers, rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and keyless go. Inside, it features Icona seats with black/blue cloth, eight-colour ambient lighting, a 10.25″ configurable Cannocchiale instrument cluster, and a 10.25″ central screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It also offers the largest boot in the B-SUV segment with 415 litres of cargo space.
The Ibrida completes the Junior range alongside the Elettrica and Speciale versions, delivering 115kW and a 410 km range, and the Veloce, powered by a 207 kW electric motor producing 345 Nm of torque, with a range of up to 345 km (WLTP). The Veloce is the epitome of Alfa Romeo sportiness, and it benefits from a Torsen limited-slip differential, 25 mm lower suspension, upgraded brakes, and a weight of about 200 kg less than its best competitors.
Alfisti can also relax somewhat…as Alfa Romeo now seems unlikely to go electric-only soon. The Italian marque had planned to go all-electric by 2027, with the Junior being its last internal combustion model to launch. However, apparently, there has been a change of strategy, and this could see the Junior hybrid coming to South Africa, together with the Veloce, with other hybridised models to follow.
