What makes a vehicle a supercar? Most will agree that speed and power are what sets them apart from the cars that we, mere mortals, drive. To achieve that, the technology that goes into supercars is beyond cutting edge. Some describe it as tip-of-the-spear. It’s that sharp. Materials, aerodynamics, fuel efficiency and jaw-dropping good looks make these machines the ultimate fantasy. For most of us, ownership of one of these stays in that realm of possibility.
To keep things in proper perspective and stay grounded while going through the list, refer to these three top selling cars of early 2014 and their suggested retail prices.
- Sedan – Nissan Altima: $22,110
- SUV – Honda CRV: $22,852
- Sports – Chevrolet Camaro: $24,227
We’re excluding from this list those supercars that we’ve previously featured in our 2013 list of the most expensive supercars. They’re still available in 2014, if you want to snap up the Porsche 918 Spyder, Hennessey Venom GT, Zenvo ST1, Pagani Huayra, Koenigsegg Agera R, or the Aston Martin One-77. But let’s turn our attention to this year’s ultimate stamp of conspicuous consumption.
13.Jaguar CX75-
Created to celebrate 75 years of Jaguar, Project C-X75 is the ultimate expression of the brand’s design and engineering innovation. While not planned for production, the C-X75 concept will be used for continuing research and development of future Jaguar technologies.The C-X75 was revealed as a concept at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, where it received Autoweek’s coveted “Best in Show” award and the 2010 Louis Vuitton Classic Concept award. “The C-X75 received an incredible reception as a concept car,” said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s Global Brand Director. “No other vehicle will better signify Jaguar’s renewed confidence and excellence in technological innovation.”The astounding look of the C-X75 is pure Jaguar. “This will be the finest looking and most innovative Jaguar ever created,” says Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design. “Even in the world of supercars, we can still produce the most beautiful. C-X75 is an exciting project for us and a clear statement of Jaguar’s intent to continue creating bold, innovative and beautiful performance cars.”The dynamic styling of the C-X75 concept hints at its exceptional performance. Project goals are an under 3 seconds 0-60 mph acceleration time, and perhaps even more amazing, 0-100 mph acceleration of less than 6 seconds.3 This incredible performance is accompanied by very low emissions, thanks to the vehicle’s lightweight construction and cutting-edge powertrain technology.While the C-X75 promises supercar performance, with a top speed in excess of 200 mph3, it is also a low-emissions hybrid vehicle concept, with a range of up to 30 miles on electric power alone, with incredibly low CO2 emissions of less than 99 g/km. To put that into perspective, most new cars sold in the US today are in the 121-150 g/km range.
12.Arrinera Hussarya-$200,000
If you’re not familiar with Arrinera , it’s just one of those small manufacturers that came out of nowhere to build a fancy supercar of its own. The Polish brand surfaced a couple of years ago with the Venocara Concept , a Lamborghini -like study that was powered by a V-8 mill generating 650 horsepower.The Venocara morphed into a better looking supercar about a year ago. It is known by the name of Hussarya , a moniker that pays tribute to Poland’s 17th century cavalry, the Hussars. Interestingly enough though, the Hussarya has yet to go into production. The company’s initial plan included a 2013 launch, but for some reason the supercar got delayed.
11.Rimac Concept One-$1 million
Unveiled in 2011, the Rimac Concept_One created quite a stir in the supercar world, mainly because of its unique, all-electric powertrain that delivered 1,088 horsepower and a stunning 2,802 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, the vehicle never made it into production due to Rimac ’s inability to sustain the project financially.But that could change in the near future, according to the Croatian company, who has announced it is about to sign a €15 million ($20.8 million) deal with investors from South America and Asia, Left Lane News reports.More than half the sum will be coming from Colombian tycoon Frank Kanayet Yepes, a wealthy investor in the energy industry known for his passion for supercars. He will be pouring €8 million ($11.1 million) into Rimac Automobili in addition to purchasing one of the first Concept_One units.The remaining cash infusion will come straight from Hong Kong, with mineral company Sinocop Resources paying €5 million ($6.9 million) for a 10 percent stake in the company and a further €2 million ($2.8 million) in stock.The manufacturer has yet to reveal when the first Concept_One will be completed, but founder Mate Rimac said there are "six cars in the pipeline", with each one to cost about $1 million.
10. Porsche 918 Spyder – $845,000
The guys from Germany have made it into the list of the most expensive supercars this year featuring a neat machine powered by a 3.4L V8 engine that can send this Spyder clocking in at 200 mph tops. But it’s not only speed that makes this supercar remarkable; Porsche has plugged in a hybrid propulsion system into this car, featuring three electric motors that deliver an additional 218 horsepower.
9. SSC Tuatara – $970,000
The Americans got a shot this year with the SSC Tuatara nearly breaching the $1M mark. Shelby SuperCars took inspiration from a Kiwi lizard called Tuatara, but there’s nothing slimy about this supercar. It’s a luxury machine powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1350 horsepower. The lizard has a top speed of 276 mph and features carbon ceramic disc brakes because driving is not all speeding, but breaking effectively, too.
7. Pagani Huayra – $1.3 Million
It’s a sleek machine designed with one thing in mind: tease onlookers. This sexy Italian car was launched last spring highlighting its cutting edge carbon-titanium monocoque that supports the supercar’s weight via its external shell, much like an eggshell. The application of composite materials and newer technologies makes the Huayra—it means a South American wind god—one of the sleekest and fastest machines on the road today. Powered by a Mercedes M158 AMG V12 engine with a 738 horsepower, the supercar can reach 233 mph.
6. Maybach Landaulet – $1.4 Million
It’s the car of the super millionaires, the symbol of opulent driving if not being driven. It’s luxury combined with power featuring a Mercedes-AMG engine that delivers 612 horsepower with five automatic transmission. It can reach 0-60 mph in a little over five seconds, but this supercar is really built for a luxury ride, rather than speed. Daimler even plopped in a private jet-like reclining rear passenger seats to make sure you get a comfy ride while listening to the music courtesy of the Bose Dolby surround system.
5. Aston Martin One-77 – $1.4 Million
This elegant supercar created a media blitz of late for being entirely handcrafted using a liberal amount of carbon fiber for superior aerodynamics. Combined with its 7.3L V12 engine, the One-77 can reach a top speed of 220 mph and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. If you thought you’ve seen this car somewhere, perhaps in you’ve played it in the popular video games, “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Forza Motorsport 4.
How to get it: Apply as a crash test dummy
It’s a once in a lifetime chance to drive the One-77 with the highlight on ‘once’ if you decide to be a crash test dummy. But, hey, you can bet you’re the only one in your social circle to have driven an Aston Martin. It’s a selfie waiting to be taken; just make sure to share the photo right away before the crash test starts in a few minutes.
1. McLaren P1 – $1,100,000
McLaren takes its solid racetrack pedigree into the streets with this mid-engine monster sporting a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 mill with 737 horsepower. A hybrid system can add 179 more horses to the stampede to bring the total power output to 916. Its 0-to-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds is about average for a supercar these days but for its price and looks, the P1 could well be the best bargain of all the toys listed here.
2. Koenigsegg Agera S – $1,520,000
Expected to ship to the US by early 2014, the Swedish-made Agera S is a bona fide member of the exclusive 1,000++ horsepower fraternity, with a twin-turbo V-8 that generates 1,030 hp. That power can flip the car from zero to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. The Agera S, unlike the Agera R, is for markets that do not yet offer the biofuels that the latter was designed for. Definitely not the supercar of choice for tree huggers.
3. Ferrari LaFerrari – $1,300,000
With 950 horsepower, the LaFerrari is Ferrari’s take on environmental friendliness. A 6.4-liter V12 engine rated at 789 horsepower gets a 161-hp boost from an electric motor. The hybrid system consists of two Magneti Marelli-developed motors. In keeping with the requirements for exclusivity, only 499 units will be built. You don’t want to spend an amount equivalent to 50 Chevy Camaros only to see someone with exactly the same car parked in front of your favorite coffee shop.
4. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento – $2,200,000
This Lamborghini is a big Italian dog but not the top dog (more on that later). Sesto Elemento is Italian for “sixth element” which refers to its decidedly matte carbon fiber shell. This super-lightweight car sports a V10 engine with 570 horsepower. Only 20 will be made. No, the line doesn’t start to your left. There is no line. Way before production even starts, all 20 will be spoken for, thank you,
5. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse -$2,600,000
The French-made Bugatti Veyron is on last year’s list. In fact, it’s been on the list of the world’s most expensive supercars every year from the time it was released in 2005. Every year, little tweaks here and there proclaim it as “new” although cynics saw these amount to nothing more than fresh coats of paint. This newest Veyron incarnation has one singular ambition – to be the speed world record holder for a convertible, and its quad-turbo 1200-horsepower 16-cylinder engine did just that at 254.04 mph. Only 50 of a planned 450 units are currently available for those who want to experience that kind of speed while burning a whole tank’s worth of fuel in eight minutes.
6. Pagani Zonda Revolucion – $2,900,000
The Zonda Revolucion coming out of Pagani in 2014 is probably the last of the supremely stylish and extremely expensive Zonda line. Former Lamborghini design honcho Horacio Pagani, responsible for the Diablo and Countach, is setting his sights on another Pagani superbeast. Revolucion’s power comes from an AMG-sourced 6.0-liter V-12 engine that churns out 800 horsepower inside a central monocoque carbon-titanium chassis and an almost totally carbon fiber shell that keeps the Revolucion’s weight down to just 2,358 pounds. There will only be 5 made, ever. So we can all just dream, ever.
7. W Motors Lykan Hypersport – $3,400,000
750 brake horsepower, a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 240 mph are pretty standard supercar credentials, yes? What makes it more interesting are the LED headlights encrusted with diamonds, the leather interiors featuring gold stitching, and the Special Edition Cyrus Klepcys Watch worth over $200,000 that comes with the purchase. Oh, and the fact that it’s the first Arab-made supercar. Which is just as well, because your parents need to own a good number of oil wells so they can afford to buy you one. Only seven units will come out of the first production line. Lucky, lucky, seven.
8. Lamborghini Veneno Roadster –$4,500,000
Given its specs of a 750 horsepower 6.5-liter 12-cylinder motor, and 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds many think the starting price of $4.5 million is ridiculous. That’s enough to buy seven Lamborghini Aventadors, one for each day of the week. Lamborghini says it plans to build only nine copies of the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster in 2014, which hardly justifies the cost of this lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced polymer vehicle with a top speed of 221 mph. Even the Monster 750-watt infotainment system with a 10-speaker sound system controlled by a touchscreen mounted on the windshield header doesn’t contribute much to the suspension of disbelief. But if you do happen to drive one suspension of disbelief will be the problem of your college classmates, not yours
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