Once dubbed ‘Sleepy Hollow’, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal’s capital, has become a vibrant city thanks largely to the establishment of a modern shopping centre there some years ago. Situated on Sanctuary Road, just off the N3 highway, The Liberty Midlands Mall is home to nearly 180 shops including many household names like Game, Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths, Edgars and Cine Centre Cinemas.
Besides the many shops and restaurants, the Mall has a number of attractions with one of the most popular being its annual motor show, which is always a crowd puller. Many of the city’s motor dealers have realised the importance of displaying their products at the Mall and judging by the massive turn out once again, it certainly was money well spent.
The first car to catch my eye was a beautiful 2006 Bentley Continental GT Coupe, all decked out in spectacular silver and gleaming under the Mall’s bright lights. Although considered by many to be the epitome of class and sophistication, Bentley’s are also incredibly powerful cars.
The GT has a huge 6-litre, 12-cylinder engine giving it plenty of power all through the gear ranges and making it a dream to drive under any conditions. It certainly was a magnificent sight to behold and although I didn’t take note of the price tag, I’m pretty sure we are talking millions and not thousands here.
A little further I encountered what is probably one of the most desirable vehicles ever made – the seductive and outrageously gorgeous Aston Martin Vantage. This beautiful British sports car with its sleek and sexy lines has been made famous by its appearance in the latest series of James Bond films and with good reason since it’s arguably the best looking car around today.
The Vantage offers buyers the perfect blend of power, performance, style and sophistication and is a popular choice among the rich and famous the world over. If I had the money I would certainly have one parked in my garage, perhaps only then would I stand a chance with the likes of an Eva Green or a Denise Richards. Ur, well, I mean I can dream can’t I.
Next up was a nine-year old Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 that drew a large crowd of on-lookers eager to feast their eyes on one of the most desirable super-cars money can buy. The Lamborghini brand is synonymous with playboys the world over and with its sleek lines and immensely powerful 6.2-litre, 12-cylinder engine; it’s not hard to see why.
Although the Murcielago is most certainly not for the faint hearted given its terrifying top speed of 330km/h, it’s bound to get heads turning and set hearts racing, no matter how old they are. All this fun comes at a cost though, just under R2 million in fact, putting the Murcielago well out of the range of most. Hmmm, if I only I had studied to be a banker…
Other cars that caught my attention were a flashy BMW M3 decked out in a rather ostentatious body kit, an impressive looking Subaru Impreza WRX STI with its huge rear spoiler (a trademark of the brand), a pair of sleek Audi R8’s (South African cricketing legend Jacques Kallis reportedly owns one of these beauties), a stylish Alfa Giulietta and a muscular looking Renault Megane RS 250 Coupe. The pick of the lot for me was the Megane, if only for the simple reason that it was actually affordable, well sort of that is.
With nothing more to see it was time to head for the exit, but I left with the satisfaction of having seen some really cool cars. It’s just a pity that I will probably never get to own one. Damn!
Pietermaritzburg Links
- Pietermaritzburg Hotels
- Pietermaritzburg Accommodation
- Hotels in KwaZulu Natal
- Things to Do in Pietermaritzburg
- Pietermaritzburg Attractions
- KwaZulu Natal Attractions
Liberty Midlands Mall contact details
- Telephone: +27 (0)33 342 0062
- Physical address: 50 Sanctuary Road, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal
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