Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron’s birth was not an easy one, that it came to be because one day Volkswagen tsar Ferdinand Piech had a dream: to provide the world with a car that had 1000bhp, cost one million euros and could do over 400km/h (250mph). To begin with the brief seemed impossible but in Piech’s mind, not something that couldn’t happen.
By 1999 there was a styling proposal and even an engine of sorts, initially with 18 cylinders. By 2000 the styling was clearer and the powerplant had been reduced to 16 cylinders, effectively two 4.0-litre VW V8s. A year later VW announced it was indeed going to build the Veyron and that it would have 1001PS (987bhp) and do over 400km/h. Then the real trouble started.
The engineers knew that to announce a car with such huge power and speed claims was one thing, but that to make it was entirely another. For a year and a half they tried, and for a year and a half they failed, until eventually Bugatti’s boss, Dr Neuman, was ‘removed.’
Then a new leadership team was brought in in late 2003, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber arriving as the new chief engineer. Having previously been in charge of transmissions at
VW/Audi he was the bloke responsible for the original DSG gearboxes.
A few months after that Thomas Bscher, merchant banker, Le Mans race driver and well-known financial trouble-shooter, was appointed as president, having been head-hunted personally by then VW boss Bernd Pischetsrieder.
Then years later and having changed or re-engineered an incredible 95 per cent of the components, the Veyron became reality. And all of Dr Piech’s original dynamic targets had been hit.
PORSCHE 918 SPYDER
This hybrid has a 135 kg 4.6-liter V-8 engine, and 2 electric motors. It develops 887 horsepower (608 coming from the engine and 279 coming from the two electric motors). The Spyder is capable of developing 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds. The battery power lasts about 12 miles. Another innovation was brought in: 4 wheel steering. The starting price is roughly $848,000, and it’s a limited edition.
MASERATI GRANTURISMO S
The beautiful Maserati GranTurismo coupe was launched in 2007, and in 2010 they made an even more attractive (and more expensive) version – a cabriolet. They announced they would stop making it in 2014. Maserati GranTurismo S was introduced in 2008. This beast has a 4.7-liter V8 and 434 horsepower, reaches 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. Its top speed is 183 mph, which is more than great for a vehicle that weighs 1.8 tonnes. It is one of those things that can’t be described with words, so take a look at the photo, or even better – schedule a test ride if you can. It can be yours for roughly $150,000.
BENTLEY MULSANNE
With its twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8, this machine is truly impressive. It is actually the only Bently model with such engine and rear wheel drive. Despite its weight (2.6 tonnes), it feels light, fast and powerful and reaches 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Quite good for a „heavyweight“ car. For years, Bently has been a symbol of status and class. If you want a luxurious car, you have found it – available at the price of $306,000.
ASTON-MARTIN RAPIDE
The 5.9 V12 engine is just one great thing about this four-door hatchback. With 470 horsepower and capable of reaching 60 mph in 5 seconds, it is powerful enough, no matter how crazy you are. It comes with a six-speed touchtronic automatic transmission. Its interior is as impressive as its exterior: memory seats with heating and cooling, walnut trim, leather, and powerful sound system. This is not just a high quality car. It looks amazing, too. It can be yours for $201,000.
FERRARI 458
They said this one would replace the 430 model, but they made it completely different. Better. Much better. Pretty powerful, with 4.5-liter V8, reaches 62 mph in 3.3 seconds. Driving this lightweight car (1.4 tonnes) will make you feel like you’re flying. Any attempt to describe the exterior would be just a waste of time, so we are giving you a photo to enjoy. This beautiful thing can be yours for $ 237,000. If you can’t afford it, it is best not to look at it, or else you will fall in love and suffer for the rest of your life.
LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR
For a car that only weighs 1.5 tonnes, Lamborghini Aventador is incredibly powerful. With a 6.5-liter V12, reaching 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, and top speed of 217 km/h, ‘the fighting bull’ will leave you breathless. And so will its price – $400,000 – $440,000. As for the LP 700-4 model, they announced they would produce only four thousand cars. The production is, of course, very slow, but it’s worth waiting.
HONDA (ACURA) NSX 2015
This beauty is not here yet, but we are looking forward to meeting her. It is planned for 2015. The previous models came with an impressive aluminum V6 VTEC engine that Honda is famous for, and we expect the 2015 NSX to be even more impressive. Honda stopped making NSX in 2005, and after a long break, the production will start again with an amazing new model. Honda lovers are expecting it with impatience, and so are we. They haven’t revealed much about it, but the photo from the International Car Show in NY 2012 should tell you quite enough.
AUDIi R8
The first generation Audi R8 was Audi’s first attack on the supercar market but it meant that for the second-generation model the brand had some experience to draw upon. That’s why the styling, overall proportions and basic character of the Audi R8 Mk2 haven’t changed by a huge amount, although it is stuffed with the very latest technology.
The R8’s predecessor came with a choice of V10 or V8 engines, but now only a V10 is available with either 533bhp in the standard model, or 602bhp in the V10 Plus. There’s no manual gearbox either, just a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch ‘box and an updated quattro four-wheel drive system. As a result the 0-62mph sprint takes just 3.2 seconds in the V10 Plus.
NISSAN GT-R 2015
The fastest car down an unknown road. Which sounds like the title of a concept album, but is nevertheless true. The R35 GT-R is Nissan’s finest hour, and almost makes up for the Micra. A four-seater two-door with a decent boot and four-wheel drive that’s mightily rear-biased. Bolt that to a suite of electronic cleverness that’ll boggle whatever’s left of your mind, and you’ve got a legend that reliably minces cars twice the price.
The engine is a 3.8-litre V6 (VR38DETT, if you want to get technical), punting out 550bhp and 466lb ft of torque. It’ll do over 193mph, but more than that, use the ‘R-Start’ launch control, and you can get 0–62mph acceleration times below three seconds, run after run. That’s not a car, that’s a missile. But it’s not enough for Nissan: it’s to get Nismo branding and become even faster. Like, wow.
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