21 of the Most Expensive Cars. Ever.
The majority of us have had the pleasure of hunting for a new car - either new-to-us or hot off the dealership lot. Maybe we do a little research online. Skim through some magazines. Some of us even brave the dealerships and take test drives. You make your decision.
Then comes the fun part: haggling with a salesperson in a mediocre suit, their desk overflowing with the sales agreements of the many suckers that sat in the very same chair, wondering if they, too, might get taken. This pretty much sums up how most of us feel about cars - they're a means to get from point A to point B, hopefully reliably and hopefully affordably. It's a car and it does its job. Enough said.
So, we've established that there are cars, but what about those sex-on-wheels, speed-knows-no-bounds, if-only-I-had-a-million-bucks feats of automotive design genius? Yep, now we've got your attention. We're talking luxury. Speed. Opulence. So naturally, we had to create a run-down of the most expensive cars out there. Who's going to give you this sort of browsing freedom in their showroom?
Insanely fast, ridiculously beautiful, haughty as a European supermodel and mind-numbingly expensive, this list of cars will have you wondering why you were born into such... normal circumstances. These cars, however, are even out of the reach of most trust funders, magnates and heirs. Their exclusivity makes them a bit of an enigma. So rare, in fact, that the chance of driving one of these, much less possessing it is right up there with hitting a unicorn with your ho-hum Corolla. With a pedigree that reeks of unbelievable performance, exacting design, fuel efficiency and aerodynamics, they bring everything to the table, and then some. The high-end Mercedes, Porsches, Audis and BMWs of the world look like economy models in the wake of these beauties.
So say you DO win the lottery. You're still probably out of luck. You have to be so special that the manufacturer sends you a personal, gold-gilded, ruby-encrusted invitation just to bow in the presence of their automobile opus. Even then, you'll probably be rejected for ownership just on general principle. You know. Because they can. This, my drooling friend, is what makes these cars the most desirable, most expensive, most exclusive automobiles on the planet. Although you may never get to be in the presence of one of these engineering marvels, you can still lust after them. Kind of like thumbing through the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Looksies, no touchies. So, here they are... grab your box of tissue, because you're going to weep over these babies...
21. Aston Martin Vanquish Price: $279,995
James Bond has a real knack for choosing the priciest, edgiest model in the stable, whether it's a woman or a car. As the original James Bond car, Aston Martin's Vanquish is, well... vanquishing. Using only the finest materials, near-rocket-scientist-quality engineering and the most sleek and sexy design elements, this never had any chance to be anything but beautiful. Kind of like the Pitt-Jolie kids. It is incredibly stealthy, with carbon fiber body panels to make it aerodynamic and lightweight. It's interior is nothing to sneeze at, either. Based on the One-77, the leather interior is hand-stitched with the utmost care. Under the hood you will encounter a fierce six-liter engine that will jet you from 0 - 60 mph in just over four seconds.
20. Bentley Mulsanne Price: $298,900
It's a Bentley. That right there should be enough to make you swoon. If it's not, then just hear us out. 505 horsepower. 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8. Growling. Yes. Growling. Named for the Mulsanne Straight from the Le Mans racing circuit, this car naturally had to flaunt where its family dominates the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It's really not just what's on the inside that counts. This baby offers little luxuries such as blemish-free leather upholstery, real wood veneers, technology that would make the Borg jealous, and some wicked good looks. Oh, and did we mention that it isn't a slacker, either? It will reach 60 mph in just slightly over 5 seconds. You'll never be late for a cricket match again.
19. Ferrari F12berlinetta Price: $315,888
Up until its show-off sister, the LaFerrari was introduced, the F12berlinetta was the fastest accelerator in Ferraritown. With the ability to leap from 0 - 125 mph in 8.5 seconds (that's about 1.5 blinks of an eye, in case you were wondering), this ferocious Ferrari packs a 6.3-litre, V12, 731 horsepower engine. How could it not be named Best Engine Above 4.0 liters.
18. Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase Price: $298,900
With an extended wheelbase, this version of the standard Phantom offers an extra 6.5 inches, for the bargain price of an extra $50K or so. Yep, you read that right. Fifty thousand big ones for about half-a-foot of knee room. If this doesn't sell you on it, you can't forget that it has lambs wool carpets to rest your tired feet on and about 12 feet of wood veneer that takes over two weeks to finish. Next to the 453 horses under the hood, you'll find nine bulls' worth of leather in the interior. Luxury doesn't mean you have to compromise on performance - this land yacht sports a 6.75-liter, V12 engine that will take you from 0 - 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
17. Porsche 918 Spyder Price: $845,000
How can something so sleek be... green? This is NOT your mother's Prius! The Porsche 918 is almost an oxymoron. An electric sports car? How can you have 887 horsepower, reach 0 - 60 mph in 2.2 seconds AND be electric? We just don't get it, but that's why we aren't auto engineers. This incredibly advanced machine offers all the power you could ask for, sans the dirty, deep carbon footprint.
16. McLaren P1 Price: $1.1 million
A hybrid production car that can tear it up at a top speed of 217 mph? It may be one of the sweetest rides out there, and has an impressive set of stats under the hood. Between its gas and electric motors it has a combined 903 horsepower, can reach 0 - 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, and doesn't create nearly as much of an ecological stir as its standard gas-only contemporaries. Now, if we could just find our checkbooks...
15. Zenvo ST1 Price: $1.23 million
The Danes have cornered the market with this gorgeous little ST1. With a terrifying 1250 horsepower and a 6.8-liter, V8 engine, this bad-ass looks like it's prowling for its next meal. One of the sweetest features is that it is not only turbocharged - it's supercharged, too. It will move from 0 - 60 mph in 3 seconds flat, and can reach top speeds of 233 mph. This is definitely the cheetah of the car world. Oh, and before we forget, if you cough up the $1.23 million, Zenvo will gift you with a $50K watch to prove you're filthy rich.
14. Ferrari LaFerrari Price: $1.3 million
Ah, the LaFerrari. This is Ferrari's most recent golden child, with its hybrid green roots and lower fuel consumption. Just how much less does this bad girl guzzle? Try 40%. What's truly amazing is this car's leading output - it dwarfs the rest of the family in that regard. With a 6.3-liter, V12, it brings 950 horsepower to the arena when combined with its electric motor. A 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission kicks it into high gear, hurtling it to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. The top speed is an astounding 221 mph. Not bad for their first hybrid!
13. Pagani Huayra Price: $1.3 million
The name alone makes this car sound exotic and expensive. You also can't over look its Mercedes-Benz AMG motor. This powerful V12, twin-turbo engine harnesses 720 horsepower. You can tear out, reaching 60 mph in 3 seconds, topping out at 224 mph. It is light as a feather, with a carbon fiber framework comprising the exoskeleton.
12. Maybach Landaulet Price: $1.35 million
Ah, Maybach. Is there anything they don't do well? There are limos, and then there is this penthouse on wheels. It boasts 620 horsepower, a 6.0-liter, V12 engine, pushing its large frame to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. You can kick back with a martini, enjoying the fine leather seats, flawless lacquer finishes and when you're bored with the martini you can sip champagne from the sterling silver flutes, included by the manufacturer. All that we can find missing is the on-road refueling truck, so you never have to stop this joyride.
11. Lamborghini Reventon Price: $1.6 million
Another collector car from Lamborghini, they decided to go all out and make a whole TWENTY of this model! It offers a brand-spanking-new exterior, but the inner workings were sourced from their Murcielago LP640. Whatever. It's still a kick-ass car that has a recorded speed of 221 mph>
10. Koenigsegg Agera R Price: $1.71 million
There's no doubt about it - this car's power reflects the maker's Viking roots. Raw power and speed make this car a force to be reckoned with on the road. In fact, the company requires a waiver to deactivate the speed limiter. Why? This baby can hit a top speed of 260 mph, with the ability to reach 60 of those in a mere 2.8 seconds. Even with a 5.0-liter, V8, twin-turbo engine, it still puts out 1140 horsepower. You can't really say that about any other car with an engine of this size.
9. Aston Martin One-77 Price: $1.8 million
In case the exclusivity of this car eludes you, the name is indicative of the fact that only 77 of these cars are in existence. The full carbon fiber chassis, 7.3-liter, V12 engine and hand-crafted aluminum body make this 750 horsepower car one of the most coveted around. It will whisk you to your destination with a max speed of 220 mph, reaching the first 60 in 3.5 seconds.
8. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster Price: $1.85 million
Pagani was pretty sure this was going to be the last release of their Zonda, naming this car Cinque in offer of its snobbery factor. Only five of these gorgeous cars were made. They loom over their earlier Zonda brethren with a new 6-speed gearbox, allowing for shifting in less than 100 milliseconds. With a raging acceleration of 0 - 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, the carbon and titanium components help to lighten its load remarkably. Oh, and the engine... that fabulous engine. It is a (drool) V12 AMG that will push this car up to 210 mph effortlessly. The coolest thing about this car? It was created specifically for the Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit movie teaser.
7. Koenigsegg One:1 Price: $2 million
Leave it to the Swedes to make a car based on mathematics. Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg went out of their way to create the first road automobile that has a 1:1 power/weight ratio. Now for the math part: the One:1 growls at 1340 horsepower, all while weighing only 1,340 kilos. It also can move like a cheetah in pursuit, reaching 248.5 mph in 10 seconds. Its top speed is clocked at 273 mph.
6. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Price: $2.2 million
Lamborghini outdoes themselves AGAIN with the snob factor, making only twenty of the Sesto Elemento. They also went out of their way ensuring that the Sesto Elemento is their lightest car ever. They achieve this by using carbon fiber everywhere possible (hence the name "Sesto," which is "six" in Italian. Six is the atomic number assigned to carbon). It takes the 5.2-liter, V10, 570 horsepower engine from the Gallardo. Not too bad, considering its light weight of about 1.1 tons can be rocketed to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds.
5. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Price: $2.5 million
It's a Bugatti. That alone should tell it all. How can we resist waxing poetic about this car's 1200 horsepower, 8-liter, 16-cylinder quad-turbo engine? We can't. It doesn't even break a sweat at its max speed of over 254 mph, and the car's silhouette? Well, it exudes pure French elegance.
4. Pagani Zonda Revolucion Price: $2.9 million
As with its competitors, the Zonda Revolucion takes advantage of carbon-titanium construction, putting it at just over a ton. Not too bad, when you consider that it's GIANT engine probably accounts for at least half of that. A 6.0-liter, V12, 800 horsepower engine growls under the hood, with 6.0-liters, making no apologies as it dominates the road.
3. Lykan Hypersport $3.4 million
A limited-edition beauty, this car has brings the bling with Titanium LED blades and around 400 diamonds in the headlights. It's not just beautiful - it brings a Porsche turbo 7.3-liter flat-six engine, letting it reach a top speed of 239 mph. Just look at those lines - it looks like a big cat getting ready to pounce.
2. Lamborghini Veneno Price: $4.5 million
They make a gorgeous car, but we think Lamborghini might be a little snobbish. Why? Well, they will only build nine of these beauties a year. Surely there are more than nine people out there that would drop $4.5 million on a car each year. Nonetheless, this car is incredible, with its 740 horsepower, 6.5-liter, V12 engine pushing it to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed clocking in at 220 mph. It is carbon-fiber, making it incredibly aerodynamic.
1. Maybach Exelero $8 million
There is something about this car that makes it almost seem like an optical illusion. Like it's just not quite there, yet has the solid presence of a locomotive. At $8 million, it better ALL be there, and then some! With a twin-turbo V12 engine powering this feline feat of automotive brilliance, it isn't any wonder that this car performs at the top of its class. It was built on special request from German tire manufacturer Fulda, so they could effectively test a line of wide tires. We don't know anything about the tires, but the car itself passes our tests!