What comes to mind when you think of the most expensive cars in the world? Supercars like the Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Aventador often come to mind, but there are other models that can fetch a pretty penny as well. Whether you’re in the market for an ultra-luxurious ride or curious about the most expensive car brands, read on for a rundown of some of the priciest automobiles around.
The World’s Most Expensive Cars
While there are many long-standing car brands on this list, you’ll also find some relative newcomers to the luxury car market. The latter focus mainly on building performance sports cars. These hypercars stand out for their appearance, rapid acceleration and top speeds.
BMWs are actually the best selling luxury car brand in the USA in 2021. This is slightly ahead of Lexus and Merceds-Benz. The BMW Group is often thought of as a German luxury car brand. However, they have manufacturing facilities in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as Germany.
As BMW are positioned at the more affordable end of the luxury car market, they’re not included in this list of the most expensive car brands in the world.
25. Land Rover
Originally a utilitarian off road vehicle brand, Land Rover has since become a luxury brand owned by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and part of Tata Motors. The first Land Rover was built in 1948.
The Land Rover Range Rover 2021 is an expensive four-wheel drive, costing from $92,000. This luxury SUV has seven driving modes and electronic air suspension.
One of their most expensive cars is the Range Rover SVAutobiography which retails at around $211,000. SV stands for Special Operation and with this range you have the option to personalize your vehicle with marquetry inserts, embossed ceramic and other luxurious finishes.
However, the most expensive Land Rover is the Range Rover SV Carmel Edition which costs $345,000. Only 17 of these luxury vehicles will be built and available for purchase by existing Range Rover owners.
24. ARES Design
Italian coachbuilder ARES Design create bespoke cars and limited edition models that combine the accessibility of a sports car with the performance of a supercar.
The Ares S1 Project has a base price of $500,000 and a 6.2-liter V-8 engine taken from a C8 Corvette. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds.
Ares Design Panther ProgettoUno reimagines the iconic 1970s Pantera. Production will be limited to just 21 examples, each costing around €700,000.
23. Zenvo Automotive
The sports car producer Zenvo are based on the island of Zealand in Denmark. Founded in 2004, Zenvo make one of the fastest street-legal hypercars in the world.
The Zenvo TSR-S has a unique centripetal rear wing with two rotational axes. There’s a twin-supercharged 8.8 liter V8 engine and total output of 1,177 horsepower.
Only five cars will be made each year, costing approximately $1.7 million.
22. De Tomaso P72
The De Tomaso P72 is an Italian sports car that was unveiled in 2019. This impressive new car is based on the Apollo Intensa Emozione and is a tribute to the original P70.
The P72 has a unique retro-inspired design, and it is powered by a supercharged V8 engine. The P72 is limited to just 72 units, and it has a starting price of $1.7 million.
The P72 made its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it received critical acclaim. Critics praised its striking design, and its performance potential.
21. Hispano Suiza
Spanish luxury car brand Hispano Suiza was founded in 1904 by Damián Mateu, a Spanish engineer, and Swiss businessman Marc Birkigt. The company’s first factory was based in Barcelona, and its early cars were known for their innovative design and engineering.
In recent years, Hispano Suiza has been revived as a luxury car brand, and its cars are once again prized for their style and engineering. The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is a work of art on wheels. This all-electric supercar can go from 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars on the road.
But the Carmen Boulogne isn’t just about speed. It’s also a stunning piece of design, with its sleek lines and elegant curves. And with a price tag of $1.9 million, it’s one of the most exclusive cars on the market. Just 5 Carmen Boulogne cars will be produced.
20. Bentley
Bentley Motors are known for their luxurious sedan cars and plush interiors. Originally a British car brand, they’re still based in England although now owned by Volkswagen AG.
The most expensive Bentley currently being produced is the Mulliner Bacalar, a stylish two-seat coupe. Retailing at $1.9 million, it heralds the return to bespoke coachbuilding for the marque.
The Bacalar was manufactured in Crewe, the first certified carbon neutral factory for luxury car production in the world. Boasting a bi-turbo W12 engine, it produces 650 bhp. All 12 of these cars were quickly snapped up.
The most expensive Bentley ever sold was a 1932 Blower Bentley that achieved $7.06 million at auction in 2012.
19. Czinger Vehicles
The Czinger 21C is a hybrid sportscar that was developed using AI and 3D printed in California. It is the first car to be made using this technology, and it is said to be lighter, faster, and more efficient than traditional cars.
The hybrid gasoline engine features a twin-turbo V8 together with two electric motors and provides 1,233 horsepower. This innovative supercar can go from 0-62 miles per hour in just 1.9 seconds and only weighs 1240 kgs.
Czinger Vehicles will produce 80 of these luxurious American cars in total. The 21C is not only a unique car, but it is also a symbol of the future of automotive manufacturing. With its cutting-edge technology and sustainable production methods, the 21C represents the direction that the automotive industry is heading. The Czinger 21C retails at $2 million.
18. Rimac Automobili
You may not have heard of this Croatian car manufacturer, yet they produce some of the most powerful electric hypercars in the world. Founded by Mate Rimac in 2009, they also make electric batteries used by other car brands such as Koenigsegg and Pininfarina.
The first Rimac supercar, Concept One, was the fastest production electric vehicle when it launched. Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond infamously crashed one in Switzerland during filming of The Grand Tour.
The Rimac Nevera (formerly known as the Rimac C_Two or Rimac Concept Two) is an all-electric sports car that doesn’t compromise on speed. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 1.85 seconds and has a top speed of 258 mph. The Rimac Nevera is the fastest electric production car in the world and retails for $2 million.
17. DEUS Automobiles
It’s not every day that a new car company is born. But that’s exactly what happened when Italdesign and Williams Advanced Engineering joined forces to create DEUS Automobiles. DEUS is an Austrian car manufacturer that have assembled a team of world-class engineers and designers, who share a passion for creating beautiful and exhilarating cars.
The Deus Vayanne is an 100% electric supercar that claims 2200 horsepower and a top speed of over 250 mph. Only 99 examples will be built, each with a price tag of $2 million.
The Vayanne is said to be the fastest and most powerful car in the world, and it certainly looks the part. With its aggressive styling and massive rear wing, the Vayanne is ready to take on anything.
And with its all-electric powertrain, it should be pretty environmentally friendly as well. The Deus Vayanne is definitely one car that we’re excited to see on the road. This innovative supercar goes into production in 2025.
16. Automobili Pininfarina
The Pininfarina Battista is an all-electric hypercar developed by Automobili Pininfarina, an Italian subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. It was unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, and is priced at $2.2 million.
Designed and made by hand in Italy, The Battista takes 1340 hours to build. This beautiful vehicle is based on the same platform as the Rimac Nevera and features four electric motors that generate a combined power output of 1,900 hp.
It has a claimed range of 300 miles and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in under 2 seconds. The first cars have now been delivered to 2 US clients and production will be limited to 150 units.
15. Lotus Cars
This British automotive company is based in Norfolk and was founded in 1948 by Colin Chapman. Lotus Cars have scooped many race wins including the Monaco Grand Prix in 1960, with a Lotus 18 piloted by Stirling Moss.
The Lotus Evija is a limited edition electric sportscar that will retail for around $2.1 million. Limited to just 130 units, this elegant design is slated to deliver 1972 horsepower. This would make it one of the most powerful production cars in the world, however it will not be street legal in some countries such as the US.
The Lotus Esprit is a design classic. Elon Musk paid $920,000 at an auction for the submarine car that featured in the James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me. Although Wet Nellie, as the car is nicknamed, doesn’t actually transform in real life, Musk has plans to make it into a real life submarine.
14. Delage
The Delage company was founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, and quickly became known for its innovative and stylish designs. The iconic marque expired in 1954 but has recently been revived by entrepreneur Laurent Tapie.
The Delage D12 is a hybrid street-legal supercar that was unveiled by the French manufacturer Delage in 2020. It is the most expensive Delage ever made, with a price tag of $2.3 million.
F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is one of the team involved with the Delage D12’s technical development. The D12 is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine, which is paired with an electric motor. The engine produces 1,100 horsepower for the D12 GT and 1,010 horsepower for the D12 Club.
The Delage D12 is a limited edition car, with only 30 units planned to be built.
13. Gordon Murray Automotive
Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) is a British car manufacturer founded by Gordon Murray, the man behind the iconic McLaren F1. Inspired by his work on the F1, Murray set out to create a new generation of supercars that would be even more performance-focused and technologically advanced.
The result is the Gordon Murray T.50 and T.33, two incredible machines that leverage the very latest in automotive engineering. At the heart of both cars is a naturally aspirated V12 engine developed by Cosworth.
The Gordon Murray T.33 boasts 607 horsepower and a V-12 engine. It will cost around $1.83 million and only 100 will be manufactured.
The Gordon Murray T.50 will also be limited to 100 cars and will cost approximately $3 million. This incredible powerplant produces over 650 horsepower and revs up to an astonishing 12,100 RPM, making it one of the most extreme engines ever fitted to a road car. Combined with a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and an aerodynamic body design, the T.50 is capable of truly astonishing performance.
12. Hennessey Special Vehicles
If you’re looking for an extraordinary driving experience, then you’ll want to check out Hennessey Special Vehicles. They’re the Texas based company behind the F5 Venom Roadster, which is billed as the world’s fastest convertible.
The Venom Roadster is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces an incredible 1,800 horsepower. That’s enough to propel the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 2.6 seconds.
And if you keep your foot on the gas, you’ll eventually reach a top speed of over 300 mph. Of course, all that power comes at a price. The Hennessey Venom Roadster starts at $3 million. In contrast, the Hennessey GT500 Venom 1200 starts at $59,950, plus the cost of providing a Shelby GT500 from $76,000.
11. Ferrari
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939, this famous Italian car brand is known for its racing excellence and striking designs. Manufactured in Maranello, many Ferraris are painted in rosso corsa, or racing red colors.
Juan Manuel Fangio, Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher are just three of Scuderia Ferrari’s legendary racing drivers. Among the most expensive Ferraris are a vintage 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO which reportedly sold for $70 million and the rare Ferrari Sergio Roadster, costing around $5 million. Known as the Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio, this was a concept car with a bespoke body by Pininfarina.
The Ferrari F60 America is another rarity, with only 10 units produced. Designed to celebrate 60 years of Ferrari in 2014, it cost $2.5 million at the time.
More recently the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta retails at around $2.2 million, and is exclusively available for purchase by those already owning a Ferrari. However, a rare 2017 edition was auctioned by Sotheby’s for $9.8 million.
10. McLaren Automotive
This British super car manufacturer was founded by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963. They have won numerous car races including the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix and several editions of Indianopolis 500.
The most expensive McLaren sold at auction is a McLaren F1 that went for $20.5 million at Pebble Beach in 2021. The McLaren P1 GTR-18 Lanzante is a modified version of the McLaren P1 LM track star. Only 58 units were built and it costs around $4.5 million at auction.
The most expensive McLaren currently in production is the McLaren Speedtail. This limited edition of 106 units retailed for $2.25 million, although all of them have been snapped up. Their first ever hyper-GT, the Speedtail has a unique 3 seat configuration with the driver sitting in the middle. It has a top speed of 250 mph and boasts 1,035 hp.
9. Aspark
Billed as the fastest full electric hypercar in the world, the Aspark Owl is made by Japanese engineering firm Aspark. Originally unveiled at Frankfurt Auto Show in 2017, the Owl is finally available to purchase.
Reaching 0 to 60 mph in 1.72 seconds, the Aspark Owl is limited to 50 units. The company bills it as the fastest full-electric hypercar in the world.
Top speed is 249 mph and the battery pack gives a 249 mile range. The Aspark Owl costs from $3.6 million.
8. W Motors
The first sports car to be designed and produced in the Middle East, the Lykan Hypersport is manufactured in Dubai. Featuring prominently in the Universal Studios movie Fast and Furious 7, one of these cars is actually owned by Vin Diesel.
There are only 7 units of this luxurious car in the world, which retails at $3.4 million. Powered by a twin turbocharged Porsche engine, it generates 750 horsepower and 960 Nm of torque.
7. Aston Martin
Started by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin in London in 1913, Aston Martin is one of the most famous British luxury car brands. The most expensive Aston Martin sold at auction is a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1. The first ever DBR1 to be manufactured, it achieved a price of $22.55 million in 2017.
Aston Martin has featured in many James Bond films. In the movie Goldfinger, Bond drives an Aston Martin DB 5, and in the novel version, Ian Fleming calls it the Aston Martin DB Mark III. The original Goldfinger DB5 was sold in 2010 for $4.6m and features a revolving number plate, and pop out gun barrels.
You can get your hands on an Aston Martin DB5 Continuation which is built to the same specifications as the James Bond Goldfinger, for $3.5 million. Just 25 will be made and they aren’t road legal, as they have gadgets such as simulated machine gun and oil-slick systems.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the brand’s first ever hypercar. This collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing Advanced Technologies is limited to 150 road cars, at a price of $3 million. The 6.5 litre torque-enhanced V12 engine has been designed in partnership with Cosworth.
The Aston Martin Vulcan also has a high price at $2.3 million. This track only two-seater had a limited run of only 24 cars and the top speed is 208 mph.
6. Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is an Italian producer of luxury sports cars and SUVs, owned by Volkswagen Group via Audi. Ferruccio Lamborghini set up the company in 1963 after achieving success making tractors.
Ferruccio started the tradition of naming Lamborghini cars after fighting bull breeds. These include the iconic Miura, Islero and Diablo.
The Lamborghini Sian is the first sports car powered by a V12 engine and hybrid technology based on supercapacitors. It costs $3.7 million. The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is limited to 112 units and its price starts at $2.6 million.
The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster is another powerful car, with a top speed over 217 mph. The Veneno Roadster is one of the most expensive Lamborghinis.
Originally valued at $4.5 million, one sold at a Bonhams auction for $8.3 million in 2019. One of only 9 units, it belonged to the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and was seized by Swiss authorities in a corruption probe.
However, the most expensive Lamborghini in the world is the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster. This extremely rare care is one of only nine examples and one was recently offered for sale for $11 million.
5. Koenigsegg Automotive
This Swedish manufacturer of high performance sports cars was founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg.
Known for their technical innovations, Koenigsegg cars have achieved quite a few records. The CC8S was awarded a Guinness World Record for the most powerful production car in 2002.
The Agera S boasted the first carbon fibre wheels for a production car, while the One:1 was the first production car in the world with a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.
The most expensive Koenigsegg so far is the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita which started at $4.8 million. There were only 49 produced in all.
The company’s twelfth model, the Koenigsegg Jesko was launched at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. With a starting price of $2.8 million, this limited edition hypercar has a top speed of 304.77 mph.
4. Mercedes-Benz
The German automotive brand needs little introduction, being one of the most famous car manufacturers since launching in 1926. Although many Mercedes cars are in the affordable luxury market segment, there are some limited edition versions that are decidedly less affordable!
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach Exelero costs a cool $8 million. Powered by a V12 turbo engine, there are thought to be 12 or less Maybach Exelero in the world. Jay Z owns one and featured it in his song Lost One.
The Mercedes-AMG One is a street-legal performance hybrid using Formula One technology. All 275 units have been sold, at $2.72 million.
3. Pagani Automobili
An Italian manufacturer of carbon fiber components and sports cars, Pagani was established close to Modena in 1992.
The Pagani Huayra BC is named after the Inca god of wind and also Benny Caiola, the first Pagani customer. Costing $3.4 million before tax, there will be just 40 vehicles made.
There are just 5 examples of the Pagani Huayra Imola, which starts at $5 million and has 827 hp.
The Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta has a design inspired by the curves of a woman’s body. Each Zonda is built to individual customer specificiations. This is one of the world’s most expensive new cars at $23.65 million and only 3 units will be made.
2. Bugatti
Founded by Ettore Bugatti in 1909, Automobiles E. Bugatti as it was then known won the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. Located in Molsheim, which was then in Germany but is now in the Alsace region of France, Bugatti designed airplane engines as well as cars.
Some of the most iconic Bugatti models are the Edition Bugatti Veyron, retailing at $1.9 million, the Bugatti Divo which costs $5.4 million and the Bugatti Centodieci, with a price tag of $8.6 million.
The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is a limited edition of 60 cars. Costing $3.6 million, this supercar has a 1500 quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 engine.
The most expensive Bugatti ever sold is the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, at $18.68 million after taxes. Purchased by a mystery buyer who is thought to be Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the only one of its kind. Crafted as a single-piece body from carbon fiber, La Voiture Noire has no visible seams.
If you get the chance, we highly recommend a visit to the City of the Automobile in Mulhouse, France. This famous classic car museum houses the largest collection of Bugatti in Europe.
1. Rolls-Royce
This British luxury car brand was established in 1904 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.
One of their most iconic models is the Rolls-Royce Phantom V, owned by Queen Elizabeth II and John Lennon. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is another popular model, with a starting price from $311,000.
One of the most expensive Rolls-Royce cars is the Sweptail. The Rolls-Royce Sweptail has a price tag of over $12 million. This is a one-off car, created for a fan of the legendary car brand. It features a bespoke set of Sweptail luggage in the trunk and a button that releases a bottle of vintage champagne and crystal flutes.
However, the most expensive Rolls-Royce and currently the most expensive road-legal car in the world is the Boat Tail. This coach-built masterpiece is inspired by boat yachts and entirely hand-built. Just three Rolls-Royce Boat Tail will ever be made and the cost is $30 million.
Here is a summary of the most expensive car brands in the world:
Rolls-RoyceBugattiPaganiMercedes-BenzKoenigseggLamborghiniAston MartinW MotorsAsparkMcLarenFerrariHennessey Special VehiclesGordon Murray AutomotiveDelageLotusAutomobili PininfarinaDEUS AutomobilesRimacCzinger VehiclesBentleyHispano SuizaDe TomasoZenvoAresLand Rover Range Rover
Final Thoughts: Most Expensive Car Brands
So there we have it, the most expensive cars in the world. All of these ultra-luxury cars come with a hefty price tag.
Many of them use electric motors which is no doubt a sign of things to come in the motoring world. If you enjoyed reading about these incredible machines then be sure to check out our other motoring articles.