There are many high-performance vehicles in the world, and many with ravishing good looks, too, but with offerings from the likes of Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ferrari, and Aston Martin, what makes a car truly exotic? And why does that automatically make us want to buy them?
It isn’t simply about power, that’s for sure; you can easily find a Dodge with over 700 horsepower. Nor is it about style, as some Teslas are truly unique in their design. Rather, it takes an amalgamation of these two factors, as well as several others, to truly earn the title of exotic.
If you’re mildly curious, here is a quick breakdown of the general characteristics of exotic cars. If you want to know more, though, read on for a more in-depth review and some prime examples.
- Extremely high performance, and refined handling dynamics
- Unique and highly recognizable exterior design
- Luxurious cabin constructed from the highest quality materials
- Insanely high price tags and limited production means exclusivity
Standing the test of time
Most mass-produced automobiles receive constant updates in order to stay relevant. These include mid-life facelifts and year-to-year tweaks to infotainment and safety features. Even premium brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have to resort to this tactic to remain competitive. However, exotics are so masterfully crafted that they can go half a decade without being touched by engineers. Thus, you do not necessarily buy these gorgeous marvels of mechanical engineering by model year, but rather by generation.
And, while you may sell off your old Toyota Camry or Ford Fiesta without a second thought, these highly limited motors are prized as collectibles. They seldom even need to be restored, since only a fool would ever let them go more than a day without the love and attention they deserve. For lovers of all things automotive, no car is actually a sound financial investment; instead, collecting them is a labor of love.
Who does it best?
Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to immerse yourself in it. Just like backpacking through Europe is a great way to learn about new languages and cultures, looking at some of the best exotic automobiles in finer detail clarifies exactly what makes them so special. So, here are just a few of the manufacturers with the most experience in this field and some of their vehicles currently available around the world and in the USA.
Lamborghini
The Italian Golden Bull, as Lamborghini is known, is one of the oldest automakers in the field, and it has a long legacy of crafting the most exceptional machines for the road and track. Unlike some of its rivals, it tries to accommodate the “average” car enthusiasts with some more affordable options like the Lamborghini Huracan, which starts at around $200k. But it’s the Aventador and Sian Roadster, the latter being the marque’s first production-bound hybrid, that legitimately earn spots on this list.
Both receive an absolutely sublime sounding naturally aspirated V12 engine, but the Sian pairs this with hybrid components to push it past its limits, maxing out at 819 hp and allowing for a blitzing 0 to 62 mph sprint time of just 2.8 seconds. Naturally, its styling is like something from a sci-fi film, with almost impractically sleek headlights and the kind of curves that fashion models only dream about.
Bugatti
Easily one of the most renowned names in the world of impossibly fast, collectible automobiles, the French company exclusively produces cars that almost nobody can actually afford, with the most expensive standing somewhere in the ballpark of nine million dollars. The more commonly known model is probably the Chiron hypercar.
With a starting MSRP just shy of $3 million, the coupe is not for the faint of heart. Its quad-turbocharged W16 power plant punches out a ludicrous 1,479 hp and almost as much torque. Directed to all four wheels, this sees it launched past the 62 mph benchmark in just 2.4 seconds. But, it’s not just about being insanely fast – this beast is equally beautiful on the inside too, with its cabin featuring leather, titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber on every surface.
Koenigsegg
A relatively new entrant to the segment, the Swedish automaker had to work hard to earn its reputation. It did so by developing some of the top performers in the world, such as the Regera and Agera RS. Both will set you back by more than a couple of million dollars. The latter is definitely the bolder coupe.
Like the rest of its ilk, it abandons rear seats in favor of a lower overall weight and more driver-focused cockpit. It also has little to no cargo capacity. However, the interior is heaven-sent with a clean design that manages to incorporate modern tech with the sheer purity of driving at illegal speeds.