Top 10 most extravagant cars of the year

This year has been nothing short of exhilarating for automotive enthusiasts and luxury connoisseurs alike - as car manufacturers unveil their latest masterpieces, we’re treated to an impressive array of designs that push the boundaries of technology, craftsmanship, and style. From ultra-exclusive multi-million dollar hypercars to practical SUVs and even a road-legal scale-model, 2024 has set a new standard for increasingly extravagant ways of spending boatloads of money on four wheels. Join us as we check out the top 10 most sensational cars launched this year…

1. McLaren W1: Enter the McLaren W1, the groundbreaking successor to the legendary F1 and P1. Sporting an extraordinary all-new V8 hybrid powertrain, it boasts a staggering 1,275 horsepower, making it the most powerful McLaren to date. With an ultra-lightweight design and a weight of less than 1,400kg, the W1 can accelerate from 0-200 km/h in a mere 5.8 seconds - it would just keep going too, but McLaren had to limit the top speed to an electronically governed 350 km/h. The W1’s innovative aerodynamics come inspired by Formula 1 delivering up to 1,000kg of downforce to ensure outstanding handling performance. Ensuring its ultra exclusivity, the W1 is limited to just 399 units worldwide with a starting price of over $2 million.

2. Aston Martin Vanquish: Aston Martin has revived the iconic Vanquish nameplate for the British company’s new flagship model, boasting a formidable 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine that allows for a top speed of 345 km/h - this makes the new Vanquish the fastest series production Aston Martin yet. The stunning exterior features a teardrop form and extended wheelbase for a superior ride quality, combining contemporary elegance with racing-inspired details like louvres and a distinctive Kamm Tail for better aerodynamics. The Vanquish interior is all about craftsmanship and luxury, with a bespoke layout, tactile controls, and a digital display, all designed to enhance the driving experience while providing unparalleled comfort.

3. Bentley Flying Spur: Back for its fourth-generation now, the just-released 2024 Bentley Flying Spur embodies the essence of a four-door supercar. Inside, the cabin features a new precision diamond quilt pattern and advanced wellness seating, ensuring unparalleled comfort on every journey. With the focus very much on personalised luxury, the Flying Spur offers extensive customisation options so that owners can tailor every detail to their tastes - Bentley offers an impressive palette of 101 exterior colours and over 700 bespoke interior combinations, and that’s before you start adding contrast stitching, piping, wood veneers, and more… It’s the ultimate choice for the discerning enthusiast and it ensures that pretty much every Flying Spur rolling out of Bentley’s factory in Crewe will be a unique vehicle.

4. Porsche 911 Turbo: 50 Years The Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years is a tribute to five decades of the legendary Turbo lineage, celebrating its debut in 1974. This limited edition, based on the 911 Turbo S, showcases a powerful 3.7-litre twin-turbo engine with 650 horsepower, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds. Design elements hark back to classic models, featuring the iconic McKenzie tartan upholstery and exclusive Turbonite accents, reminiscent of Porsche’s racing heritage. Limited to only 1,974 units, each car features a special badge and commemorative details that honor the original Type 930, which redefined turbocharged performance and usability in sports cars 50 years ago.

5. Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla: Rolls-Royce’s Phantom Scintilla Private Collection is a luxurious tribute to the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy, which has been the symbol of the company for more than 100 years. Limited to just ten examples in the world, this exclusive collection features an exquisite ceramic-finished figurine, inspired by the Greek marble sculpture ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace’. Inside, the most intricate door design in Rolls-Royce history showcases an incredible 869,500 stitches, creating a flowing, dynamic aesthetic throughout the cabin. The ‘Celestial Pulse’ Gallery artwork and animated Starlight Headliner enhance the ambiance, while a two-tone exterior in Andalusian White and Thracian Blue reflects the beauty of its muse. This truly is a masterpiece of bespoke craftsmanship and timeless elegance.

6. Bugatti Tourbillon: Where do you even start with the new Bugatti Tourbillon? This hypercar is limited to just 250 units, each priced from $4.2 million. Departing from its iconic turbocharged W16 engine, the Tourbillon boasts a totally new naturally aspirated 8.3-litre V16 developed by famed engine gurus Cosworth, capable of revving to 9,000rpm. On top of that screaming powerplant, Bugatti has thrown in three electric motors for a grand total of 1,800 horsepower promising a scarcely believable sub-two-second 0-100 km/h sprint. The design retains familiar elements from the outgoing Chiron model, while introducing a host of aerodynamic advancements. The crowning touch inside the new Tourbillon is a titanium horological-inspired instrument cluster with completely mechanical dials crafted by Swiss watchmakers.

7. Lamborghini Temerario: Mere months after the release of the flagship Lamborghini Revuelto, the Italian supercar brand has launched its entry-level Temerario. Entry-level, of course, is a relative term here. This gorgeous supercar comes with the company’s first ever twin-turbo V8 engine (compared to the predecessor’s V10) which is good for over 900 horsepower. Best of all is the shrill of the new engine which revs to a highly impressive 10,000rpm The brand’s iconic design DNA is ever-present, too, with the Temerario’s bold shark nose and compact surfaces, the striking hexagonal lights, gaping air tunnels, and racing inspired details like the rear diffuser and high-mounted hexagonal exhaust.

8. Ferrari 12Cilindri: The Ferrari 12Cilindri draws profound inspiration from the legendary Gran Turismo cars of the 1950s and '60s, merging vintage charm with modern engineering. The classic long-hood design embodies the essence of Ferrari’s illustrious heritage, particularly some of the company’s most celebrated cars from the past like the Ferrari Daytona. The sculptural bodywork reflects a commitment to both aesthetics and aerodynamics, showcasing integrated active features. This model marks a stylistic evolution for Ferrari, while retaining the iconic elements of the V12 lineage. Ultimately, the 12Cilindri celebrates Ferrari's rich history, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate its blend of classic allure and contemporary performance. Want one? You’re looking at $500,000 and up, and whatever you do don’t walk in there asking for the “12-Cylinder”. It’s pronounced do-dee-chi chill-in-dree, and yes, Ferrari is quite fussy about that.

9. Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ: With 45 years of history to look back on, the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Class has to endure in a rapidly evolving market while staying true to its enthusiast customers. The new G580 EQ marks the biggest evolutionary step for the G-Class yet, blending cutting-edge electric technology with its unmistakable silhouette and robust off-roading characteristics. This electric off-roader pays homage to the "Geländewagen" name with some seriously hard-core all-terrain features - the reinforced ladder frame accommodates a high-voltage battery, with a drive system featuring four individually controlled electric motors and functions like G-turn and and G-steering, which allow the vehicle to rotate on the spot or to significantly reduce the turning circle when navigating particularly tough obstacles and tight trails.

10. Cadillac Escalade IQ: Cadillac’s groundbreaking new Escalade IQ is the brand’s first-ever full-size SUV with an all-electric drivetrain, featuring over 750 horsepower and promising a seriously impressive driving range of more than 700km. The interior is a real treat - Cadillac has managed to cram in a stunning 55-inch curved display that spans across the entire dashboard from pillar to pillar, and audiophiles can optionally equip the Escalade IQ with no less than 40 speakers if they opt for the AKG Studio Reference audio system.

11. Honourable mention - Bentley Blower Jnr: Big, luxury road-missiles aren’t the only thing keeping Bentley busy this year - this latest launch is proof that the ladies and gents in Crewe sure know how to have fun. This is the new Bentley Blower Jnr, an 85% scale electric homage to the iconic 1929 model, which has captivated enthusiasts around the world. Believe it or not it’s a fully road-legal hand-made creation, offering extensive personalisation options as you’d expect from the marque, meaning customers can choose from a plethora of colour combinations and unique packs celebrating Bentley's rich heritage. The Blower Jnr is 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, with a 48V electric powertrain and a 20 horsepower motor. This is good enough for a top speed of 72 km/h and a driving range of just over 100km. You just can’t help but adore this thing.