What does the term special edition really mean? No, it's not about your average cars such as Fiestas and Golfs, we're talking about high-powered, one-off sports cars.
So what are the most exclusive cars in the world? Here's our pick of 10 of the rarest, most expensive, exclusive and fastest cars on sale in recent years. What do you think and has your favourite been included?
1. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione SpiderOriginally a concept from 2003, the coupe version of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione became a production reality in 2007. Just 500 of the carbon-fibre bodied, Ferrari-powered sportscar were sold. Next, came a production version of the Spider convertible in 2009. Built by Maserati, another 500 cars were available. Top speed was 180mph, with the Spider fitted with a two-layer electrically operated fabric roof. The windscreen frame is also made of carbon fibre to try to maintain a 50/50 weight distribution.
2. Aston Martin One-77
Spring 2011 will see the lucky 77 buyers take delivery of their £1.2 million One-77 hypercars. One-77 highlights include the carbon-fibre monocoque chassis (which keeps the weight down to a waif-like 1500kg), the handcrafted aluminium bodywork and the 20-inch forged alloy wheels. A great car needs a great engine and the One-77 promises not to disappoint, with what Aston claim is the world's most powerful normally aspirated production engine, a 7.3-litre V12 producing 740bhp and 553lb ft of torque.
3. Bugatti Veyron Super Sports A legend in its own lifetime, the Bugatti Veyron boasts up to 1183bhp in Super Sport trim from the 8-litre W16 quad turbo engine and an equally shocking £2 million price tag. Just 30 of the Super Sport version will be produced and all the owners can be safe in the knowledge that it's the fastest road-legal car in the world - with a top speed of 267.85 mph. The original version is hardly slow either with a top speed of 253.52 mph. Sadly just a toy for the wealthy few, this car could possibly be the greatest piece of engineering ever.
4. Ferrari P4/5 by PininfarinaThe Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina is a one-off sports car built by Pininfarina for James Glickenhaus, a stock exchange magnate and known car collector. Based on an Enzo Ferrari - itself a rare car, Glickenhaus liked the look of 1960s Ferrari race cars and the styling of the P4/5 is designed to look like a modern version of the 330 P3/4. Reputed to have cost $4 million, Gilkenhaus is currently working on a race version of the car that is based on a Ferrari F430 Scuderia and will compete this year at Le Mans.
5. Koenigsegg CCXR EditionThe Koenigsegg CCXR Edition is an ultra exclusive version of the standard CCXR, one of the fastest production cars in the world. While completely road legal, the CCXR is designed for the track first. Top speed is 254mph, but what's really clever is that it can run on biofuel, premium gasoline or a mixture of both. The CCXR can also make use of its full 1018 horsepower when running off any type of fuel. Just six will be produced, priced at £415,000.
6. Lamborghini ReventónThe original Reventón was shown for the first time at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Just 20 of these one million Euro supercars were produced, making it the most expensive Lamborghini road car to date. Then, a Roadster version was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, which was even more exclusive as just 15 were produced at a 1.1 million Euro price. It might be a Murcielago LP40 with a fancy carbon-fibre body and matt paint finish, but other unique Reventón features included an instrument panel that comprised of three TFT liquid crystal displays.
7. Lexus LFAOriginally a concept from 2005, Lexus then teased us with a game of 'will they or won't they'? In 2010 they finally did and the result for the lucky 500 owners is stunning. Firstly, there's the exterior and interior which are unique and feel wonderfully bespoke. Then, there's the engine, a mega 552bhp, 5.2-litre V10. Accelerate and it sounds fantastic, I can only compare the soundtrack to the howl of an F1 car. This £340,000 supercar is not quite perfect, the auto box is clunky and the steering lacks feel, but it's an amazing first attempt at a supercar.
8. Mercedes Mclaren SLR Stirling MossThe Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling Moss was the last of the SLR production built under the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. Just 75 cars were produced, with styling inspired by Sir Stirling Moss's winning 1950's 300SLR race car. As thus, this extreme version of the 220 mph supercar had no roof or windscreen. The SLR Stirling Moss had a recommended retail price of £627,000 and was only offered to current SLR owners.
9. Pagani Zonda R
Just 16 of these 1.456 million Euros (plus local taxes) track day toys will be produced and the R has to be the most extreme version of the Zonda ever made – money no object. Despite looking like a Zonda, the R is almost entirely new, sharing only 10% of the Zonda F's components. Output has increased to 750 bhp at 11000 rpm and 723 lb ft of torque. Highlights include a lightweight carbon fibre high performance intake system, racing multiple disc centered clutch and a Formula One-style exhaust system. The engine is combined with a 6-speed transverse-mounted manual sequential synchronised gearbox. Engine was built by Mercedes-AMG.
10. Porsche 911 Sport Classic
The Sport Classic was a limited edition 911 inspired by the classic 70s Carerra RS 2.7. Limited to just 250 units, special features include the double-bubble roof, wider rear body, fixed RS-style rear spoiler, special fuchs-style alloy wheels, brown leather trim and the one-off Sport Classic Grey body colour. It wasn't just the exterior and interior of the 911 Sport Classic that were special, underneath there was a unique 402bhp engine too. All cars were sold out quickly to collectors, despite the £140,000 list price.
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Source: UKAutoblog
