Rare Head-Turning Cars You’d Be Lucky To See On The Road
Supercars are expensive. But even if we have millions of dollars lying around, it’s still hard to get behind the wheel of one. While we can’t buy most super and hypercars due to their 6 or 7-figure tag, some are just off-limits because of their exclusivity.
These cars are often built in a number fewer than 100, or sometimes, even in single digits. And by the time we come to learn about them, every single one is already sold to insider elites and established clients in special private events. Today, we’ll count down the cream of the crop of these exclusive and rare cars that sold out before they were even released.
LaFerrari FXX-K Evo - 40 Units
Hailed as the zenith of Ferrari's racing technology, the FXX-K Evo is second to just an actual F1 car. Only 40 of these 1,036-hp V12 hybrids exist in the world and, surprisingly, none of them can be driven on a road or participate in a race.
The owners can only drive this $2.6 million hypercar on a track once it's been delivered there along with a team of engineers and technicians from Ferrari. The car remains with Ferrari for a certain number of years, and owners are bound to actually drive it instead of letting it sit as an investment they can flip later on.
Bugatti Centodieci - 10 Units
The Centodieci is an ultra-rare, ultra-refined, and ultra-expensive version of the Chiron that Bugatti unveiled to celebrate its 110th birthday, and also to pay tribute to its 90s supercar, the EB110.
With a hefty tag of $9 million, the Centodieci is 20 kg lighter than the Chiron and is powered by a behemoth 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16, rated at 1,578 hp. The French automaker will make just 10 units of the Centodieci, all of which were sold within hours of its unveiling at the Pebble Beach.
Pagani Zonda Revolucion - 5 Units
Pagani rolled out the Zonda Revolucion in 2013 to mark the end of Zonda's production run. The Zonda is itself a rare car with just 135 units being built since 2009 - but the Revolucion is another story.
Just 5 units were built and handed over to family members and special clients, with an original invoice of $2.62 million before taxes. Each had a 789-hp 6.0-liter V12 sourced from Mercedes-AMG that catapulted the car to 60 mph from a standstill in 2.6 seconds and enabled a top speed of 218 mph.
Lamborghini Centenario - 40 Units
Based on the Lamborghini Aventador, the Centenario was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva motor show to mark the 100th birthday of Ferruccio Lamborghini - the founder of the company.
Lamborghini later unveiled a Roadster version of the Centenario at Pebble Beach, the same year. The Italian manufacturer announced that it will be making just 40 Centenario units, 20 for each of the two body styles, all of which were pre-sold to a select clientele.
Hennessey Venom GT Spyder - 6 Units
Powered by a 1,451-hp 7.0-liter V8 engine, the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder became the world's fastest convertible when it hit a speed of 265.6 mph as Ford Performance Racing School director Brian Smith drove it in California's Naval Air Station Lemoore.
The Spyder version of the Venom GT was released because Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler wanted a convertible model of the hypercar. Hennessey rolled out 6 examples of the vehicle, including a one-off 'Final Edition' model.
Mercedes-AMG One - 275 Units
Featuring a road-legal version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 from the W07 F1 car and a hybrid drivetrain, the Mercedes-AMG (Project) One tears the tarmac with its 1,231-hp powertrain.
Mercedes-AMG announced just 275 units of the hypercar at $2.72 million apiece, with production starting from 2020. Even though the company received more than a thousand orders for the One, it refused to increase the production above the planned run of 275 units.
McLaren Speedtail - 106 Units
McLaren Speedtail is a successor to the legendary F1 that was known for being the world's fastest car in the 90s. The Speedtail, announced in 2016, lived up to the F1 heritage with a 1,035-hp hybrid drivetrain, a top speed of 250 mph, and the F1's trademark 3 seats with the driver sitting centrally.
McLaren plans to roll out only 106 Speedtails, every last one of which was bought right after it was announced. Most of the units were sold to the clients who bought the original 106 F1s back in the 90s.
Italdesign Zerouno - 5 Units
The Zerouno, which translates to Zero One, is the first sports car manufactured by Italian auto styling house Italdesign Giugiaro. It features a mid-mounted 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 that produces 602 horses to enable a top speed of 205 mph.
First unveiled at the 2017 Geneva motor show, the hypercar was announced to have a limited production run of just 5 units, all of which were sold in no time at an MSRP of $3 million.
Aston Martin Valkyrie - 150 Units
Made in a collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing, this hypercar is the brainchild of Red Bull's CTO, the legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey.
With a 6.5-liter Cosworth V12 working in sync with a Rimac-built KERS hybrid system, the Valkyrie spits 1,130 horses on the tarmac. Combine that with its insane aerodynamics and you get one of the fastest cars ever built. Just 150 units were planned, all of which were allotted to a select group of people at $3.2 million apiece.
Pagani Huayra Roadster - 100 Units
Aptly named after the God of Wind, this $2.8 million hypercar from Pagani has a top speed of more than 220 mph and a 0-60 time of just 3 seconds - all thanks to the behemoth twin-turbo, 6.0-liter V12 that churns out more than 755 wild stallions.
Though the Roadster version was twice as expensive as the coupe, all 100 units were sold before it could even debut at the Geneva motor show. Part of the reason was the carbo-titanium build that made it 200 lbs lighter than the coupe.
Bugatti Divo - 40 Units
The bigger, badder brother of the Veyron, the Bugatti Divo was released because the Veyron was apparently not fast enough. Featuring reworked aerodynamic bodywork and a behemoth output of 1,479 horses from an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16, the Divo handles like dream and is much quicker on track.
Bugatti plans to build only 40 of these, and every single one of them was pre-sold out by special invitation to previous Bugatti owners at its unveiling at the Pebble Beach. Even if that weren't the case, chances are, you might have found its $5.8 million price tag a bit too steep.
Apollo Intensa Emozione - 10 Units
The Intensa Emozione, which translates to intense emotion, is the first model produced by Apollo after its transition from Gumpert. Priced at $2.67 million apiece, this hypercar boasts a naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V12 that churns out 780 horses in standard form.
Believed to be over-engineered by many, the Intensa Emozione is claimed to rev more than 11,000 RPM and sustain more than 3,000 pounds of downforce. Apollo decided to make just 10 units of the car, all of which were pre-sold soon after the announcement.
LaFerrari Aperta - 209 Units
The LaFerrari Aperta is the convertible version of the LaFerrari - the first hybrid from the Italian automaker. Powering the Aperta is a rear-wheel, hybrid drivetrain with a behemoth V12 spitting 950 horses at the crank.
Just 209 Apertas were built for sale for a group of select buyers, all of whom were personally invited by Ferrari. An additional model was built to raise funds for Save the Children charity, which was auctioned off for $10 million.
Lamborghini Sian - 63 Units
Based on the Lamborghini Aventador, the Sian is the first production hybrid car as well as the most powerful road car from the Italian manufacturer. It features a deadly combo of a 6.5-liter V12 and a 48-volt e-motor to put out 808 horses and reach a top speed of 217 mph.
Lamborghini will be making just 63 examples of the Sian to commemorate the incorporation of Automobili Lamborghini in 1963, every single one of which was grabbed by enthusiasts as soon as it was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show.
McLaren 720S - 1500 Units
The McLaren 720S, which replaced the 650S, went on to become the brand's hottie as soon as it was released. With a 710-hp 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 that enabled it to do 0-60 in just 2.8 seconds and hit up to 212 mph, the 720S was faster than many hypercars at one-tenth of their cost.
McLaren Automotive took just 1,500 pre-orders for the 720S when it was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva motor show. The car was so high in demand that some clients ordered two units just so they could get one as soon as possible and have the other one customized from the brand later on.
SSC Tuatara - 100 Units
Powered by a custom 5.9-liter twin-turbo V8 manufactured by Nelson Racing Engines mated to a robotized 7-speed transmission, this American hypercar churns out 1,350 wild stallions and has a 300-mph speedometer.
It's not just the engine, but the combo of aerodynamics and weight that make the SSC Tuatara unbelievably fast. SSC North America plans to keep this car exclusive by making just 100 units for the entire world, with a starting price of $2 million.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione - 500 Units
Alfa Romeo manufactured the 8C Competizione from 2007 to 2010. It featured a steel chassis, a carbon-fiber body, and a unique 4.7-liter V8 derived from Ferrari and Maserati. The vehicle churned out 440 horses and hit speeds higher than the officially claimed 181-mph mark.
When the Italian manufacturer announced the 8C Competizione, more than 1,400 people rushed to grab a unit for themselves. However, just 500 were lucky enough to drive one home.
Lamborghini Veneno - 5 Units
Based on the Aventador and built to mark the company's 50th anniversary, the Veneno is the most expensive Lamborghini ever. It features an upgraded version of Aventador's 6.5-liter V12 that now churns out 740 horses to enable a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed in excess of 220 mph.
Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva motor show, this $4.5 million hypercar is one of the most exclusive and rare cars in the world, with just 5 units in existence.
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - 60 Units
The successor to the Bugatti Veyron, the Chiron remained in production from 2016 to 2022, with just 500 units built during these 6 years. In 2020, Bugatti introduced the Pur Sport as an upgraded, handling-focused version of Chiron.
The Chiron Pur Sport featured the same 8.0-liter W16 engine but had an additional 200 rpm, which took the redline to 6,900 rpm. Priced at $3.6 million apiece, Bugatti limited the production run to just 60 units, all of which were sold out before the production began.
McLaren P1 - 375 Units
The McLaren P1 is a plug-in hybrid hypercar that combines the output of a 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 with that of an in-house-developed motor to churn out an insane 903 hp. It also features a carbon-fiber monocoque and an innovative 'MonoCage' roof structure safety concept.
The British automaker made just 375 units of the P1, and every single one of them had found its owner before the production even started despite a hefty $1.15 million tag.
McLaren Senna - 500 Units
Named after iconic F1 driver Ayrton Senna, the McLaren Senna was designed to conquer the tracks while also being road legal. This hypercar gets its power from a 789-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 loosely based on the one from the 720S.
McLaren made just 500 units of this supercar, almost all of which were spoken for at the very moment it was unveiled. The last build slot was auctioned off at a special event, exclusively planned for McLaren's previous clients.
Aston Martin Vantage AMR - 300 Units
When Aston Martin unveiled the Vantage AMR in 2018, it was sold out in no time. The British automaker announced to limit the production to a mere 300 units, out of which 100 were to get a 603 hp V12 and the rest, a 436 hp V8.
Clients were also given the option to choose from a 6-speed manual, a 7-speed manual, and an automated sequential manual paddle-shift transmission. All 300 planned units were grabbed by enthusiasts within just days.
BMW i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition - 200 Units
Throughout its 6-year production run, BMW kept the i8 in crazy demand by manufacturing fewer units than were sought by enthusiasts. To mark the end of its pioneering plug-in hybrid supercar in 2020, BMW announced to release Ultimate Sophisto Edition models in a limited run of just 200 units.
Available both as the Coupe and Roadster, the special edition units featured a deep Sophisto Grey metallic paint, as the name of the series hints, and a unique Accaro interior with multiple labels reading 'Ultimate Sophisto Edition 1 of 200.'
TVR Griffith Launch Edition - 500 Units
When the UK-based supercar brand, TVR, announced the Griffith Launch Edition in 2017, it took them just 6 weeks to sell off all 500 planned units. All vehicles were sold months before the new model was even unveiled.
The Griffith Launch Edition, which went on to spark the revival of the English brand, combines an iStream carbon fiber chassis with a Cosworth-tuned Ford Coyote V8 that spits 480 wild horses at the crank.
Koenigsegg Agera RS - 25 Units
The Koenigsegg Agera RS, which combines the best of the Agera R and the Agera S, was branded by the Swedish manufacturer as 'the ultimate track tool.' With a 1,160-hp powerhouse and loads of tech from the future, it was truly a hyper-hypercar. It also maintained the title of the world's fastest car till Bugatti exceeded its 285 mph top speed.
Understandably, the Agera RS wasn't easy to get throughout its production run that lasted till July 2018. First, it cost north of $2.5 million, and, second, just 25 units were built.
Honda-Acura NSX Type S - 350 Units
Most people who drive an Acura NSX today are likely to have bought it used and at a price way more than that of a brand new unit. Seems strange, right? Well, the customers who pre-ordered the car had to wait for two years to actually get it.
As if the NSX is not rare enough, Acura has further taken things up a notch by announcing that its 2022 run will be limited to just 350 units, all of them 600-hp Type S models, hand-built by master technicians at Acura's Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Ohio.
Bentley Bentayga First Edition - 608 Units
The Bentley Bentayga First Edition did not cost as much as most cars on this list but it was just as rare and exclusive. Bentley revealed this SUV to a select group of VIP customers at the 2015 LA motor show and limited the production run to just 608 units.
Powered by a 600-hp turbocharged W12, it had a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-60 time of 4 seconds. These performance stats are beyond impressive when you consider the endless list of ultra-luxurious amenities packed inside one of the most spacious cabins.
W Motors Lykan HyperSport - 7 Units
Remember the car that smashed through skyscrapers in Furious 7? Well, it's just as amazing in real life. Made by Dubai-based W Motors, the $3.4 million Lykan HyperSport is one of the most iconic cars ever.
With 440 diamonds inside the headlights, seats stitched with gold thread, and the first-ever holographic mid-air display in the cabin, this hypercar is insane. It's also not short on performance and has a top speed of 240 mph. To top it all, it's one of the most exclusive cars, with just 7 units existing in the world.
Ferrari Monza - 499 Units
The Monza was the first model from Ferrari's 'Icona' range, probably launched to pacify those ultra-rich folks who couldn't get a unit for themselves from the 499 LaFerrari coupes and 209 Apertas.
This roofless, windowless hypercar was inspired by Ferrari's Monza racing cars of the 50s. Costing $1.75 million apiece, it too was produced in limited numbers, with production capped at 499 again. It was offered both in single and double seat configurations, but each Ferrari-approved buyer was allowed to pick just one of the two variants.
Pininfarina Battista - 150 Units
This fully electric hypercar was built as a tribute to Pininfarina's founder Battista Pininfarina. With 4 individual motors powering each wheel, the Battista churns out 1,900 horses and accelerates to 60 mph from a standstill position in just 1.8 seconds.
Costing $2.5 million apiece, this hypercar was publicly unveiled for the first time at the 2019 Geneva motor show. With production having started in 2021, Pininfarina plans to make just 150 of these vehicles for the entire world.
Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli - 25 Units
The Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli features a 7.2-liter bi-turbo aluminum V8 that produces an output of 1,000 hp and gives the hypercar its name, with 'Mille' meaning thousand and 'Cavalli' meaning horses.
This $1.2 million hypercar is able to hit 60 mph from a standstill position in 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 248 mph. The Italian manufacturer will be making just 25 examples of this car, all of which will be fully customized to the requirements of an exclusive clientele.
SP Automotive Chaos - 100 Units
The SP Automotive Chaos is an ultra-hypercar with mind-boggling performance stats. The base Earth version (priced at $6.4 million) puts out 2,049 hp and does 0-60 in under 1.9 seconds. While the higher Zero Gravity trim (priced at $14.4 million) churns out 3,065 horses and does 0-60 in 1.55 seconds.
Both models can reach a top speed of 310 mph and are powered by the same 4.0-liter V10 engine, with either a twin- or a quad-turbo setup. SP Automotive has announced to make just 100 units for the entire world to maintain the exclusivity of this car.
Porsche 911 R - 991 Units
The Porsche 911 R was released to address the only flaw that existed in the much-acclaimed 911 GT3 RS: Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch system being the only transmission option.
The 911 R went further than just the addition of a manual gearbox with a clutch pedal. It had better styling, less weight, and stellar track performance. Porsche built 991 of these cars and all of them were sold to previous Porsche owners at the unveiling ceremony at the 2016 Geneva motor show.
Koenigsegg Jesko - 125 Units
When the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ broke the 285-mph record of the Koenigsegg Agera RS, Christian von Koenigsegg answered the challenge by coming up with the Jesko Absolut. Designed to ride the air with absolutely minimal resistance, its 1,600-hp V8 is believed to catapult this hyper-hypercar to an ungodly speed of 330 mph.
The Swedish automaker plans to make just 125 units of the Jesko, all of which have already been sold at a starting price of $2.8 million. The production count of the Absolut version - priced at $3.4 million - is going to be even exclusive.
BMW M4 GTS - 700 Units
The BMW M4 GTS features an ultra-refined version of the inline 6-cylinder 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine used in the M3 and M4. The lethal combo of water-injection technology and 7-speed M dual-clutch gearbox with manual gear selection translates to an astonishing power output of 500 horses and a 0-60 time of just 3.8 seconds.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise to know that all 700 planned units of the M4 GTS were spoken for within just two months of its unveiling. In fact, most of them were pre-sold before the vehicle was even revealed.
Aston Martin Vulcan - 24 Units
Featuring an 820-hp 7.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 developed by Aston Martin Racing and an aluminum alloy chassis with a carbon fiber body, the Vulcan can reach a top speed of 225 mph.
With each unit priced at $2.3 million, this British hypercar is also one of the most exclusive automobiles in the world. Aston Martin built just 24 examples of this track-only car, every single one of which was sold soon after its unveiling at the 2015 Geneva motor show.
Lotus Evija - 130 Units
One of the most powerful production cars in the world, the Lotus Evija puts out 1,972 horses and 1,254 lb-ft of torque from its four electric motors. It has a top speed in excess of 200 mph and sprints to 60 mph from a standstill position in under three seconds.
Only 130 models of this leading-edge all-electric hypercar will be built by the British automotive manufacturer, and each unit is priced at $2.3 million.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ - 30 Units
The Chiron Super Sport 300+, as the name suggests, is made after the prototype that famously broke the 300 mph barrier for the first time. An upgraded version of the Chiron, it features the same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine as the Centodieci and costs $3.9 million apiece.
Just like other offerings from the French marque, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ is an ultra-exclusive hypercar with just 30 units planned, all of which were pre-sold to an exclusive clientele before the production began.
Ford GT - 1350 Units
When Ford announced the new GT supercar ahead of the 50th anniversary of its iconic Le Mans victory, people rushed to secure one for themselves. But landing hands on the 647-hp twin-turbo V6 was not so easy.
More than 6,500 applicants had to go through a strict vetting process before they could go home with one of the 1,000 vehicles planned for production in 2015. Ford later announced to make another 350 units, but they were just as hard to get.
Rimac Nevera - 150 Units
Previously known as the Rimac Concept Two, the Nevera is the second car from Croatian manufacturer Rimac Automobili after the Rimac Concept One. The car was renamed Nevera, which translates to 'thunderstorm,' upon its launch.
The Nevera shares the same platform, powertrain, and even the production factory as the Pininfarina Battista, and is manufactured at the same rate of 1 unit per week. This all-electric 1,914-hp hypercar hits 60 mph in just 1.8 seconds and does a quarter-mile in 8.6 seconds. To maintain exclusivity, Rimac will be making only 150 units in the next few years.