The World’s Most Expensive Cars

To compile our list of the most expensive cars going on sale next year, we scoured price lists from well-known manufacturers like Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Maybach, and from lesser-known companies like Saleen and SSC. Some expected entrants (Aston Martin, Spyker, McLaren) didn’t quite have the stuff to make our list. Others, like Koenigsegg, had a few models that might have qualified, so we limited our list to the most expensive car from each manufacturer, otherwise noting a few entries from the ubiquitous Bugatti and a bonus future entry from Ferrari.

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

MSRP: $2.6 million
Specs: The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is the fastest production car in the world. It hit 268 mph on the track last year; the production version will go 0-60 in 2.48 seconds on a W16 engine that has 1,200 horsepower and 1,500 Newton meters of torque. Fuel economy is 6.3 miles per gallon in the city and 15.8 on the highway–a 10% improvement over the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport. (Also of note for our list: the Bugatti 16.4 Grand Sport, $1.86 million; and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, $1.59 million.)

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

MSRP: $447,000
Specs: The engine is a V12 direct injection with 453 bhp and 720 Nm of torque. It goes 0-60 in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 150 mph. Fuel consumption is 12.2 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The Drophead has two doors and four seats with a trunk even when the roof is down. Bespoke options include an integrated cooler/glass holder to fit in the base of the luggage compartment and initials inlaid in the veneer or a complete leather floor instead of carpet. An optional teak deck made with 30 different pieces of fine-grain wood to look just like a yacht. Each Phantom is hand-built.

Koenigsegg Agera

MSRP: $1.5 million (estimated)
Specs: Agera means “to act” in Swedish, and is also short for the Greek word Ageratos, which in ancient Greek means “ageless.” The body of the car is made from carbon fiber and aluminum, with the shape and concept of the Koenigsegg CC created 15 years ago. It has a 910-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 engine that goes 0-100 in under 3.1 seconds, and its wheels generate a vortex to suck hot air away from the brakes. Fewer than 20 will be made each year.

Pagani Zonda C9

MSRP: $1.3 million
Specs: Word is the C9 will have a 6.0-liter V12 Mercedes-Benz AMG engine with 700 horsepower and 1000 Nm of torque. The car is a totally new car in terms of form, weight distribution and materials; it’s made on a carbon-titanium chassis and comes with specially developed Pirelli tires. Only 40 of them will be made next year. Note: The car shown is the Zonda–official photos of the C9 have yet to be released.

Maybach Landaulet

MSRP: $1.405 million
Specs: The Landaulet’s top speed is 278 mph, with a 604-horsepower, 5.9-liter twin turbo V12 AMG engine. Fuel efficiency is 21.2 mpg on the highway and 12.9 mpg in the city, which is very good considering the car’s size and weight. Intelligent bi-xenon headlamps, park assist, rear refrigerator, folding tables and two champagne flutes in hand-polished 925 sterling silver come with the car, and all of its doors close automatically. After all, as the Maybach website says, “The ultimate in luxury means physical exertion is not necessary.”

SSC Ultimate Aero

MSRP: $750,000
Specs: The Ultimate Aero will do 0-60 in 2.78 seconds with a projected top speed of 273 mph. It has a 1,287-bhp V8 engine. It comes with air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, tilt-steering, cab-controlled front air lift, 10-speaker premium audio, CD/DVD system w/ 7.5″ DVD screen, automatic backup camera and navigation. Carbon fiber rear spoilers respond to the amount of pressure on the brake pedal. Inside, a carbon fiber dashboard and center console incorporate a digital temperature control unit and tire pressure monitor for optimum driving conditions. Look out for details about the as-yet unnamed “Next Generation” SSC later next year.

Ferrari SA Aperta

MSRP: $520,000 (estimated)
Specs: This is the convertible version of the Ferrari 599 (aperta means “open” in Italian), which debuted in Paris earlier this fall. The car comes with a V12 661 bhp engine, a removable soft-top roof, and (based on what the 599 can do) an expected 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. All 80 models have already been sold.

LeBlanc Mirabeau

MSRP: $728,000
Specs: The mid-engine Mirabeau is designed to fulfill all FIA/Le Mans standards to drive the car in LeMans, but it is also street legal. It has a V8 supercharged engine with 700 bhp and 850 Nm of torque. The body and frame are made of carbon fiber, with a 6-speed transmission and a top speed of 370 km/hour. Automatic gear shifting costs an additional 52,000 euro; leather interior and other creature comforts cost extra.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

MSRP: $455,400
Specs: The SuperVeloce has a 6.5-liter V12 engine with 670 horsepower and a 0-60 mph of less than 3.2 seconds. Top speed is 212 mph. The car is substantially lighter than the other Murcielagos in the lineup (the engine is 12 pounds lighter, the total car is 220 pounds lighter), which makes it seem significantly faster. Inside, black leather trim with carbon fiber sport bucket seats and door panels add to the edgy effect. It’s available in a 6-speed manual or automatic version.

Bonus: Ferrari F70

MSRP: $870,000 (estimated)
Specs: We couldn’t help adding this to our list–as the next in the Ferrari line and a replacement for the famous Enzo, it’s been hyped for months already and is expected to start production in early 2012, with orders being taken next year. It’ll have a V8 biturbo engine and 700 horsepower–and weigh just 1,200 pounds, thanks to Ferrari’s pervasive use of carbon fiber. The F70 is expected to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, with a top speed of 223 mph. Note: The car shown is the Ferrari Enzo.