Maserati has been ordered to pay R7 million (about $438,000) to Soulistic Music after the Johannesburg High Court granted summary judgment in favor of Grammy-winning South African DJ and producer Black Coffee over a disputed MC20 Cielo purchase.
Black Coffee Ordered an MC20 Cielo
The Maserati MC20, which has since evolved into the MCPura, emerged this decade as an alternative to the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura. The supercar was rarer and used a non-hybrid, twin-turbo Nettuno V6 producing 621 horsepower.
Black Coffee, whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo, ordered an MC20 Cielo, the convertible version, through a trade-in deal involving his MC20 Coupe. He bought the coupe in 2022 for R7 million, or about $438,000 at current exchange rates.
The MC20 Cielo was priced at R9 million, or about $564,000. Under the trade-in arrangement, Black Coffee would have needed to pay the remaining R2 million, or about $125,000, upon delivery.
Dispute Over the Delivery Date
According to Business Insider Africa, Black Coffee’s company, Soulistic Music, said the vehicle was expected by July 2025. Maserati later said the car would only enter production in August 2025.
Black Coffee subsequently cancelled the transaction and sought the return of the trade-in value. The Johannesburg High Court recently granted summary judgment in his favor.
The dealership reportedly told Black Coffee that Maserati’s factory had made a special exception to secure him a production slot because of his international profile. Black Coffee, who won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2022 Grammys, also selected 18 specifications for the MC20 Cielo.
Maserati South Africa argued that some of those specifications were not included in the original quotation. The company also maintained that it had never agreed to deliver the vehicle by July 2025.
Maserati Disputed the Production Timeline
In its court filings, Maserati said a customized MC20 Cielo requires at least nine months to produce after its specifications are finalized.
However, the court order reportedly did not provide detailed reasons for granting summary judgment. As a result, it remains difficult to determine who was responsible for the failed transaction.
Black Coffee’s court victory also does not establish that Maserati committed fraud or deliberately deceived him.
Maserati Must Pay R7 Million Plus Interest
The Johannesburg High Court ordered Maserati to pay R7 million, or about $438,000, to Soulistic Music. The automaker must also pay annual interest of 10.5% from August 22, 2025, until the full amount is settled, as well as the legal costs of the proceedings.
The transaction could have benefited Maserati because customized vehicles tend to offer higher margins, while Black Coffee’s popularity could have provided additional exposure for the brand.
It remains unclear whether Maserati will appeal the decision.
