Tuesday, December 31, 2013

10. Porsche 918 Spyder $845,000

 


 



 


At just shy of one million dollars, the Porsche 918 Spyder would rarely be considered cheap – even relatively speaking. But on this list, it’s a bargain.
What makes the 918 special, though, is not the price, it’s that the 918 Spyder comes from the future. That’s right. It’s a hybrid.  Don’t for a second think the 918 Spyder is a poor sad Prius hobbling along in the right lane, because this bad boy has 887 horsepower, which is good for 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds.
For comparison, that’s faster than the money you’ll have to plunk down for this thing can leave your bank account.
But don’t worry; you will save on gas; because this Teutonic thunderbolt can go 18 miles on the lightning in its batteries alone – and still pull 82 mpg in hybrid mode. That is, as long as your commute doesn’t take you around the Nürburgring. Which it should, by the way.


 

9. McLaren P1 $1.1M

 


 



 


From the same manufacturer as the legendary F1, the P1 might just live up the insane legacy of the first 230 mph production car.
Lurking underneath the carbon fiber is a 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 which when paired with the onboard electric motor is good for 903 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The right way to think about this isn’t even as a hybrid, but like a roadgoing Formula 1 car with a Kinetic Energy Recovery System. This will help you get over the fact that you can only get 9 miles on the battery.
Straight ahead speed isn’t quite as lunatic as it was on the F1, with the top speed limited to a measly 217 mph. But it will get you to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, and make it from 0-182 in 16.5 seconds, twice as fast as Ferrari 458 Italia. It will  also grip and brake like the amazing Spiderman on PEDs.
McLaren has gone all out on the quality control, when engineers test the waterproof seals the car  is doused in nearly 4,000 gallons of water.
If you want one, act now because they just went into production and most of the 375 are spoken for.


 

8. Zenvo ST1 $1.2M

 


 



 

 


Denmark may only be known for its massive butter consumption and as the setting of Hamlet. But the Zenovo ST1 is definitely ‘to be.’
Well, only three of them will actually ‘be.’ Apparently because they need to be hand carved from adamantium and Thor’s hammer.
The results though are impressive, the ST1 is propelled by a turbo supercharged 7.0-liter V8, which might have been nicked off of a P-38 Lightning. This monster powerplant is good for a top speed of 233 mph and a 0-60 time south of three seconds.
No wonder it looks so angry



 

7. Maybach Landaulet $1.3M

 


 



 

 


Monarchs and rappers can rest easy, because this next car may have been designed for them. It’snot  as fast as the other cars on this list, but it does come with far more appointments and luxuries.
For $1.3 million dollars, you get a hermetically sealed chauffeur compartment, which will isolate you from the commoner you have employed to drive you about. You also get a fully retractable roof which allows you to wave to your adoring subjects as you drive by.
When you tire of such attention you can open up your refrigerator and pull out a bottle of Crystal or the distilled blood of a pope and relax.
Presumably the button that says, “guards seize him” is an optional extra

Sunday, December 29, 2013

7. Pagani Huayra $1.3M

 


 



 


Welcome to the best car that no one can pronounce. Named for the Incan “God of Winds,” the Huayra’s (why-rah) offers performance that a deity would be envious of.
Powered by an AMG 6.0-liter V12 with two turbochargers, the Huayra is good for 230 mph. And at 740 lb-ft, more torque than your average pantheon.
Styling is very Pagani. The car boasts gullwing doors, the patented Pagani antenna/side mirrors and some of the best leatherwork you will ever see.
For the low, low price of $1.3 million, this car is such a bargain you might want to buy two.


 

6. Koenigsegg Agera R $1.6M




Rumor has it that Koenigsegg rents out Volvo’s testing track for its chassis tuning test runs.
Apparently, while the Koenigsegg team roars around the circuit, Volvo execs watch from their offices, drink espresso, and remark at how unsafe the Agera R is. We doubt this story is true. But it makes the Agera R that much more appealing. We like to imagine the Koenigsegg horrifying the safety-obsessed Volvo brass.
And what frightens the Volvo folks so? It’s the Agera R’s 5.0-liter, 1,115 hp twin-turbo V8 that creates a king’s ransom in torque – 885 lb-ft to be precise. 60 mph is quickly conquered by the Agera R in 2.9 seconds. And the Swedish wedge of carbon will hit a maximum top speed of 260 mph.
Interestingly, the Agera R can actually hit 270 mph. In order to do that, though, owners need to sign a waiver for the speedy Swedes to unlock the speed limiter. This is an option, why? Of course I need to go 270. You don’t even need to ask, Jurgen.


5. Lamborghini Reventon $1.61M




The Reventon is truly a stealth fighter for the road, even if those looks would attract more attention than Kate Upton wandering into a middle school.
This Lambo’s name and personality both come from a famed Spanish fighting bull that killed an equally legendary bullfighter.
Drivers might be in just as much trouble when they strap into this 650 hp rocket. It has purportedly topped 220 mph in Dubai and will do 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. Oley!
Along with all this performance, you get one of the coolest supercar interiors out there. If it weren’t for the Lamborghini badges, you would be convinced that you are in an F-22 Raptor.
At $1.6 million the Reventon is the second most expensive Lamborghini behind the ultra-rare Veneno, not including the track-only Sesto Elemento ($2.2M) and the concept Aventador J ($2.8M).