In January 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for the first gasoline-powered vehicle. The car, the first of its kind, was revealed to the public later that year. While this moment is now widely considered the birth of the car, at the time people were mostly unaware of the significance this three-wheeled vehicle would go on to have.
Benz’s first four-wheeled car came in 1891 and by 1900 his company, Benz & Cie, had become the biggest automobile manufacturer in the world. In the years that followed, other brands sprung up and started producing their own cars. With this, the popularity of cars slowly began to grow globally.
Today, more than 80 million motor vehicles are produced worldwide each year, by thousands of competing brands. For some, cars are a functional but essential product that enhances their lifestyle and allows them to travel from A to B. But for others, cars are a passion, a hobby, or even a way of life.
The most successful brands, from Ford and Toyota to BMW and Mercedes Benz are capable of attracting a loyal following that sees buyers coming back to them again and again. Other brands have forged a reputation that allows them to move beyond the mainstream and mass production lines to instead offer cars that appeal to the top end of the luxury market. Much like a grand house, an expensive watch, or a tailored suit, high-performance cars can be a status symbol. To gain this prestige, some car brands are selling a lifestyle as much as a mode of transport, and exclusivity is right at the centre of this offering.
Let’s take a look at some of the world’s most expensive cars and iconic car manufacturers.
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Aston Martin
This luxury British manufacturer has long been associated with performance, timeless style, and some of the world’s most admired cars. Founded by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin in 1913, Aston Martin truly cemented its place as an iconic brand when James Bond drove the now classic DB5 in the 1964 movie Goldfinger. But it’s not just the DB5 that turns heads and has cemented a place of historical significance, as many of Aston Martin’s models increase in desirability and value as the years go by.
The 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, which won at Le Mans in 1959, is one of its rarest gems. Just five were ever produced. It is the most expensive Aston ever sold at auction – with a buyer paying $22.5 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey. Aston Martin continues to innovate to this day, as the limited-production Valkyrie hypercar takes F1 technology to the road. It has a 6.5-litre engine, delivers over 1,000 horsepower, and retails for around $3 million.
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Bugatti
Bugatti, founded by Ettore Bugatti in 1909, has developed a reputation for producing some of the world's fastest, most luxurious, and expensive cars. The brand’s most costly yet is the La Voiture Noire, which sold to one lucky owner for more than $18 million. This one-off hypercar was designed as a tribute to Bugatti’s Type 57 SC Atlantic and features an 8-litre engine and around 1,500 horsepower. It’s capable of accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just 2.4 seconds. The buyer remains a mystery, but it’s fair to say this is one vehicle that would be sure to turn heads if it ever makes it out onto the road.
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Ferrari
Ferrari’s distinctive prancing horse is arguably one of the most famous brand logos in the world. This Italian luxury sports car manufacturer has been making sports cars for the road since 1947, but (as most car enthusiasts will know) its founder Enzo Ferrari’s history with motorsports goes back much further.
From the F40 and the Enzo to the Testarossa and LaFerrari, the brand has produced numerous legendary road cars, all adding to its status as one of the world’s best automotive brands. One contender for its most iconic vehicle of all is the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, which has sold for as much as $70 million at auction. Such is its value to collectors and car lovers, that many of the most expensive Ferraris ever sold are this model.
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Lamborghini
Another Italian car manufacturer synonymous with luxury is Lamborghini. Founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, Lamborghini has since firmly cemented its reputation as one of the most desirable car brands. Models such as the Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murcielago, and Gallardo are among its best known and loved, with even the least expensive proving outside of the price range for most drivers.
The Veneno Roadster, designed to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary, makes the price of most of those look like a snip, as it was offered at $4.5 million when it was released in 2014. Only nine were ever made, so through the years, its exclusivity has only increased. In 2019, one sold at auction for $8.3 million.
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Rolls Royce
Rolls Royce has been making some of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious cars since its foundation by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce in 1904. The brand has a rich history, with models including the Ghost, Phantom, Wraith, Cullinan, and Dawn boasting a range of features that see them appealing to both car collectors and those who desire a comfortable driving experience.
But the brand’s most expensive model is the Arcadia Droptail, which cost $31 million and was designed specifically for – and in collaboration with – one unnamed buyer. Its name is inspired by Greek mythology and translates to ‘Heaven on Earth’. The two-seater’s design was inspired by yachts, and the unique vehicle also boasts 22-inch alloy wheels and weather-proofed wood sections that Rolls Royce says took 8,000 hours to create. The car also packs some serious power, with a 6.6-litre twin turbo V12 engine.
Of course, these are just some of the world’s most sought-after car brands. The definitive list of the world’s most expensive car brands is regularly changing, particularly as heritage models sell at auction and manufacturers increasingly build bespoke offerings for wealthy clients. One thing is for sure, demand for luxury cars remains as strong as ever.
