Switzerland was, until recently, where you go to hide money. Friendly, efficient Swiss bankers would keep your cash safe, no questions asked, from those foreign government agencies who would try to take it. Do you think it's a coincidence that auto makers have historically unveiled their most opulent, exotic, and absurdly expensive new cars right here on the shores of Lake Geneva, in one of the world's biggest tax havens?
Despite the recent American crackdown on off-shore bank accounts, auto makers still brought their most expensive machinery to the Geneva International Motor Show this year. This is but a sample of the most expensive new cars on offer.
Lamborghini Aventador SV - $455,000
The “SV” badge has denoted Lamborghini’s most hardcore machines since the Miura P400SV. It stands for “Superveloce,” which translates as “super fast.” To earn that moniker, the Aventador’s 6.5-litre V-12 gets a 50 horsepower increase (up to 740) while the bodywork has become more angry-looking. It’s also 50 kg lighter than the standard car. Lamborghini claims a 0-100 km/h time of 2.8 seconds.
Mercedes-Maybach Pullman - $700,000
The old 600 Pullman was a favourite of dictators and celebrities alike, a vehicle owned by: Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Saddam Hussein, the Vatican, Jeremy Clarkson, John Lennon, George Harrison and Coco Chanel, among others. The Pullman has historically been available in both armoured and un-armoured versions, so it’s a safe bet this one will be, too. Inside, the rear cabin has two forward facing seats, and two flip-down rear facing ones for advisers or generals or whoever needs to ride along. Is the Pullman the most luxurious car in the world? Yes.
Koenigsegg Regera - $2.3 million
At last year’s Geneva show, Koenigsegg unveiled the One:1 with 1,340 hp. Apparently that wasn’t enough. The new Regera hybrid therefore has 1,500 horsepower, of which 400 comes from an electric motor. The Swedish company claims it can hit 399 km/h in less than 20 seconds. A company spokesperson said it is street legal in Canada, and it will be sold through a local dealership.
Aston Martin Vulcan - $2.88 million
The only car on this list with a Canadian connection, the Vulcan will be built in Canada by carbon-fibre specialists Multimatic. The Toronto area firm has a deeply impressive rsume – including Ford’s upcoming GT and Aston’s One-77 supercar. The Vulcan will be limited to 24 copies, and it won’t be street legal. Want to drive it? Aston will help you arrange track time at any of the world’s great circuits. Because of the immense performance afforded by the lightweight chassis and 7.0-litre V-12 engine with more than 800 hp, Aston will give owners extensive high-speed driving lessons before they strap into their new Vulcans.
McLaren P1 GTR - $3.8 million
Similar in spirit to the Aston Vulcan, the GTR is also a track-only toy. Unlike the Vulcan, the GTR is based on a road-going machine: the McLaren P1 hybrid. For $3.8 million, McLaren throws in six track days at Formula 1 circuits, and a team of engineers and staff who travel with the car each time you want to take it for a spin. Power from the hybrid drivetrain is up to 987 hp from the roadgoing P1’s 903. Each GTR will be fitted to its individual owner at McLaren’s factory in Woking, England. The Harrods livery is optional, but highly recommended.
Touring Superleggera Berlinetta Lusso - Price not available
Coachbuilding was common once upon a time. You could have your favourite designer create unique bodywork for your new Ferrari or Duesenberg. Touring Superleggera is one of the only traditional coachbuilding firms left. This Berlinetta Lusso unveiled in Geneva is its latest and most beautiful creation in recent memory. The body is hand-beaten aluminum but underneath it’s a Ferrari F12, with 730 hp V-12 engine. Production is limited to just five cars. The company wouldn’t disclose pricing, but do the math: it takes 5,000 hours of skilled labour to create, plus a $380,000 Ferrari donor car.
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