A Need For Speed
With flashy designs, bespoke bodies, and super-powered engines, exotic cars can capture the hearts of many car enthusiasts. But which vehicles deserve the top spots in 2023?
We’ve rounded up some of the best exotic cars on the market, ranging from otherworldly performance to ferocious hot-lap capabilities. Read on to find your next dream ride!
1. Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4
One of the most iconic names in exotic car history returns with the limited-edition 2022 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. Based on the Aventador and sporting a hybrid powertrain, this wedge packs a V12 engine with a small electric motor to make a combined 802 horsepower.
Lamborghini Design chief Mitja Borkert riffed on themes from the original Countach’s long production run with the reinvented wedge. A louvred rear window, hexagonal windscreen, raised air intakes and scissor doors all pay tribute to its purist namesake.
The Countach LPI 800-4 can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds and reach 124mph in 8.6sec, numbers that decimate the aforementioned Countach’s figures. Its battery draws energy from a supercapacitor that the manufacturer says has three times the power density of lithium ion batteries.
Only 112 Countach LPI 800-4s will be built, with deliveries set to begin in early 2022. Expect a price tag similar to that of the rarer, mechanically identical Sian FKP 37 coupe: over $2 million.
2. Bugatti Chiron
As one of the world’s most expensive cars, Bugatti is a resurgent force in automotive luxury. The brand’s newest hypercar, the Chiron, is a true marvel of engineering. Its rounded shape and bullet-like profile express speed and ease. Inside, the car boasts a modern stylistic approach with hints at historical architecture. For example, the center console is designed like the flying buttresses that influenced Gothic architecture. It also features two high-resolution screens balanced against an analog speedometer.
The Chiron is powered by a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that makes 1,479 horsepower. Its top speeds are well above takeoff speeds for commercial aircraft, making it the fastest roadster in the world. A variant of the Chiron is the track-focused Chiron Super Sport. Plus, it has a fixed rear wing, retuned suspension, and Michelin Cup 2 tires. The car weighs 110 pounds less than a regular Chiron and delivers higher revs.
3. Pagani Huayra Codalunga
Even though Pagani made just five of these super-rare hypercars, the owner of this one decided to take it to an ice track. Check out the Motorious Podcast here to hear what he had to say about the experience.
This one-off carbon-bodied Huayra Codalunga was the result of a request from a client to Pagani’s newly formed special projects division, known as Grandi Complicazioni. The team used the Huayra Coupe as a base and took inspiration from Le Mans longtail racers of the 1960s. They worked with a “less is more” philosophy and spent two years on full-size and scale models to perfect the final design.
The Codalunga is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that produces 840 horsepower and can do 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. Equally important, it has a top speed of 240 miles per hour. This fast car is the embodiment of the one-of-a-kind philosophy of Pagani and will only be seen on the road and at races if you’re lucky enough to afford it.
4. Bugatti Divo
Designed to be the ultimate coachbuilt hypercar, the Bugatti Divo represents a return to the brand’s roots in high-performance driving. Its bespoke components help it deliver a blend of luxurious comfort and thrilling straight-line speed. Compared to the Chiron, it’s 77 pounds lighter and produces 198 pounds more downforce for enhanced cornering performance.
The Divo is powered by the same 1,479-horsepower quad-turbo W16 engine as the Chiron, but it’s tuned to focus more on handling. Additionally, its front features a new design to reduce the effective cross-sectional area for lower drag, while the rear spoiler funnels air over the inlets and improves cooling.
Only 40 of these exotic cars were ever built, and all of them have already been sold. Buyers have the option to customize their Divo’s paint finish and interiors, and one owner even worked with Bugatti for over a year to create his very own masterpiece. In conclsuion, this ultra-expensive machine will set you back about $6 million.