Driven
Review > Dream Cars
They offer little in the way of practicality and are priced way beyond reason, but these ultra-exotic sports cars truly are the ultimate rides.
words by > Jim Gorzelany
Hot Rod
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Sporting gull-wing doors and over-the-top muscular styling, this low-to-the-ground two-seater is named after a legendary fighting bull. With a 640 horsepower 6.5-liter V12 aluminum engine driving all four wheels via a choice of either a six-speed manual or clutchless “E-gear” sequential-shift gearbox, the coupe can reach 62 mph in just
3.4 seconds, and keep going all the way to 211 mph. Built on a steel alloy tubular frame with lightweight carbon fiber and steel body panels, the LP640’s handling benefits from a fully independent electronically controlled suspension. www.lamborghini.com MSRP: $360,000 (estimated)
Bentley Continental GTC
Seductively styled and decidedly quick, this British convertible packs a twin turbocharged 552 horsepower 6.0-liter W12 engine (a W configuration is like two engines joined together at the crankshaft, in this case V6s) that is mated to a Formula-One racing-style paddle-operated six-speed-automatic gearbox. The GTC can leap to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and hit a top of 180 mph, while its chassis and suspension afford both a comfortable ride and spirited handling. The car’s interior is richly trimmed in leather and wood, with a dashboard design that mimics Bentley’s famed flying wing logo. www.bentleymotors.com MSRP: $195,000
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
A French nameplate returns with the fastest and costliest production car on the planet. Under its expressively sculpted exterior resides a turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that produces an unparalleled 1001 horsepower. The rocket-like Veyron
16.4 can blast off to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds and will not only reach a scenery-blurring 253 mph, but can also come back to a controlled stop in just 10 ticks. Go faster than 137 mph, and hydraulics lower the car to a ground clearance of about 31/2 inches, while a rear wing deploys to help provide additional aerodynamic downforce for added stability. www.bugatti-cars.de MSRP: $1,300,000
Spyker C12 LaTurbie
This hand-built sports car from Dutch automaker Spyker packs a mid-mounted
6.0-liter W12 engine that generates a robust 500 horsepower. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, this powerplant enables the lightweight vehicle to reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and obtain a top speed of 196 mph. The C12 LaTurbie’s dramatically cast exterior is highlighted by scissor-opening doors and large air vent gills, with an interior that is enhanced by a unique propeller-spoked steering wheel that harkens back to the company’s origin as an aircraft builder. www.spykercars.com MSRP: $362,500