A thing of beauty is certainly a joy to behold – British cars undoubtedly fit this description. Nothing comes close to the panache of possessing a magnificent auto, and Great Britain boasts an enviable array of luxury car marques. Whether you’re an automobile enthusiast or simply an admirer of smooth wheels, names such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, and McLaren are not only celebrated brands but also imposing status symbols. Read on as we unveil our pick of the some of best British cars of all time.
1. McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 was created as the ultimate road car with Formula 1 DNA. In 1998, it held the Guinness World Record for being “the world's fastest production car.”. The F1 still has many accolades to its name – in spite of being manufactured in the nineties, it is still one of the world’s leading naturally aspirated cars. It has been referred to as “the greatest automotive achievement of all time” and “the greatest automobile ever created” by reputed auto publications. Further, the McLaren F1 is a crown jewel in Lewis Hamilton’s and Elon Musk’s respective luxury car kitties.
Powered by 618 HP, these swift wheels could go as fast as 234.87 mph, with a 0-60 mph acceleration rate of 3.2 seconds. Given its immense power output, the engine bay was lined with pure gold, the ideal heat reflector. The F1 was fitted with a full carbon fibre chassis (each taking over 3000 hours to create) and the driver cabin was customised as per the specifications of every owner. Bereft of any frills, the McLaren F1 had supreme aerodynamics, an advanced braking system, and stylish dihedral doors.
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2. Aston Martin DB12
Glistening proudly in cerise, Aston Martin’s DB12 bears testimony to the brand’s position as a leading name in the luxury automotive industry. With a maximum speed of 202 mph, the DB12 can catapult from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, powered by a V8 that produces 671 HP.
Keen attention to detail is exhibited in the hand-stitched leather steering wheel, in the seat dimensions that provide the ideal heel-to-hip ratio, and in the ergonomically engineered controls. The 10-inch infotainment screen boasts a 1970x720 high resolution and can be remotely controlled from the phone, and is hooked to a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
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3. Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Arrow
The handsome black beauty with impeccable yellow detailing certainly bears startling poise and elegance – after all, it was built as a farewell to the Rolls-Royce Wraith models. A distinguished send-off, 12 truly one-of-a-kind Black Arrows were manufactured. These units are the final V12 marques Rolls Royce would ever make ahead of its all-electric future.
Celebrating one of Rolls Royce’s most powerful collections, this range is inspired by the Thunderbolt, the car that broke land speed records three times in 1938 by achieving a top speed of 357.497 mph. The Wraith Black Arrow bolts from 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds, and can achieve a maximum speed of 155 mph powered by 615 HP.
These models boast a facade with gradient paint, one of the most complex surface finishes Rolls-Royce has ever produced. Like its 1938 muse, it is outfitted with illuminated Thunderbolt Speedform between front seats. The dashboard bears a clock, which is a tribute to the first V12 Rolls that broke speed records over a century ago. The interior of the car is inscribed with sketches of the Wraith’s V12 engine. Each interior door panel is made of 320 marquetry pieces to create a dramatic, tactile surface.
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4. McLaren 750S
A sleek model with unparalleled agility, the McLaren 750S is built for a drive that thrills. Powered by a twin-turbo V8 outputting 740 HP, the 750S can achieve a top speed of 206.3 mph at a rate of 2.7 seconds (from 0 to 60 mph).
Unique aerodynamic features equip the 750S with its speed and efficiency – for instance, sculpted headlights allow air intake around the lights and into the radiator; and its muscular sides guide fast-blowing wind around the A-pillars towards the rear area to optimise aerodynamics. The McLaren signature dihedral doors guarantee a dramatic entrance. The infotainment system comprises a 7-inch screen accompanied by high-end Bowers & Wilkins sound systems and McLaren Continuum cone speakers.
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5. Lotus Evora GT
One of Lotus’ most cherished collections, the words “evolution, vogue, and aurora” inspired the name – the Evora line was built to be a supercar, the one that beats German and Italian automobile brands in their game. The Lotus Evora GT is the brand’s fastest and most powerful road car, boasting a beautifully sculpted exterior, carbon fibre-detailed interiors, and unparalleled human engineering. This supercar can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and go as fast as 188 mph with a power output of 416 HP.
A lightweight, roomy car, the Evora GT proudly displays its Michelin PS Cup 2 tyres and precise gear shifts. Its dashboard bears four ESP modes: drive, sport, race, and off. The “race” and “sport” modes specifically increase throttle shift. A 7-inch infotainment screen with navigation, Bluetooth, and a reversible camera has also been integrated into the design. Leather and alcantara envelope all the interiors, from the steering wheel to the Sparco race seats.
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6. Bentley Continental GTC by Mulliner
A stylish convertible with dynamite specs, Bentley’s Continental GTC by Mulliner certainly does the brand proud. Outfitted with a V-8 engine, or W12 engine, this slick vehicle can go as fast as 208 mph, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
Truly bespoke, the Continental GTC by Mulliner has immense personalisation potential. There are endless paint options for the exterior, as well as a vast range of interior veneers and accessories to choose from. Users may borrow inspiration from other Bentley models and assimilate those features into their GTC Mulliner.
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7. Jaguar F-Type R75
A natty sports car, the Jaguar F-Type R75 is poised to never go out of vogue. Its V-8 engine produces a power of 575 HP and accelerates at a rate of 3.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Its highest speed on record is 186.4 mph.
A Jaguar can be built to be utterly unique. For the exterior, there’s a colour palette boasting a plethora of metallic and solid paint options. Either “Ebony Windsor” or “Light Oyster” leather can be stitched onto the cushy seats, which are equipped with 12-way heating and cooling electric technology. Premiere cabin lighting makes for an even snazzier ride, sprucing the interiors up with glows of phosphor blue, pale blue, white, coral, and red.
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8. Aston Martin Valkyrie
With its staggeringly muscular body and racecar soul, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is a class apart in the realm of sports cars. Fitted with a V-12 engine, it produces an outlandish 1,160 HP of power, which propels the car from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and can achieve a speed as high as 250 mph.
An engineering marvel, the Valkyrie boasts grandiose wings, which, in conjunction with its carbon-fibre bodywork, make for an incredibly lightweight vehicle, enhancing its lightning speed. A product of cutting-edge technology, this curvaceous beauty is one of the first road cars adorned with 3-D printed parts that have been integrated into its headlights.
Luxury cars go hand-in-hand with refinement, affluence, and sophistication. A cut above the rest in this realm, British cars deliver on all fronts – from style to speed, efficiency, and power. It’s time to give into the powerful allure and add one of Britain's finest to your luxury fleet.
