We can’t say we knew Maserati had left South Africa, but we can tell you we now know the Italian manufacturer of luxury cars is officially back. With a showroom in Bryanston, Johannesburg and two more to follow in Durban and Cape Town in coming months the company is looking to offer South African one-percenters a more exclusive option than the standard German fare so commonplace on our roads and highways.

Maserati’s re-entering South Africa (hope it bought her a drink first) with its complete model line-up. This includes the Quattroporte, GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges. It’s promoting the Ghibli range specifically to tie in with the official, ahem, re-entry.

Next year the company will also launch an SUV, the Maserati Levante SUV, which will also come to the South African market.

The Ghibli, which can be customised so heavily we have to wonder whether someone will request it in leopard print, starts at R1.3 million, making it decidedly less eye-watering than many of its peers, and could make it just the car for tenderpreneurs who’ve tired of Land Cruisers and Porches.

Maserati wants you to think of one word when you hear it’s name: “exclusivity”. Which is why it only makes 75 000 vehicles a year. It’s also why it’s roadside assistance service — which never expires — includes a concierge service and a take-me-home service, in case you’ve had one too may glasses of Cristal. Ciao bella!