The Most Expensive Cars 2006

2006´s top ten most expensive cars in the world.
Well actually Forbes´ list is limited to top 10 most expensive cars you can buy in United States, thus these are U.S. prices.

10. Maybach 57 S - $367,000



Maybach 57 S features a V12 Bi-Turbo engine that can produce 612 HP and reach 170 mph/275 km/h top speed.
57 S is Maybach's new model which was designed to be a sportier and more powerful version of its other cars, the 57 and 62.
Maybachs are made in Germany.

9. Maybach 62 - $385,250



Maybach 62 features a 12 Cylinder, SOHC, 5.5 liter engine that can produce 543 horse power.
62 is an ultra-luxury sedan (made by Mercedes-Benz), which shockingly proves, that even such expensive cars to build, can turn into profit for car-makers.
Due to the fact that we list U.S. prices, Maybach 62 took 9th place. However the European version of Maybach 62 is more expensive than SLR McLaren (7th place) in Europe, while the retail price of U.S. version of the SLR is higher than any Maybach. It may have been more interesting not to include two such similar models from the same manufacturer, but we have decided to stick with the official Forbes list of the most expensive cars.

8. Porsche Carrera GT - $440,000



Engine: V-10, DOHC 5.7 liter. Its ten-cylinder engine produces 600hp - the type of power that can rarely be seen outside the racing world.
Although some well known auto portals claim that Porsche has stopped selling its Carrera GT supercar. But currently (2006 Dec), Porsche confirms that its $440,000 famous convertible is still available for sale in the U.S. market, thus the car qualifies to be in this list.
Made in Germany.

7. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren - $452,750



Engine: 5.5 liter Supercharged V-8.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has been on world's fastest and most expensive cars lists for quite a while now. This car is a fascinating result of a collaboration between two well known car brands: Mercedes and British race car legend McLaren.The delightful SLR McLaren is probably the most sophisticated and comfortable of all street-legal race cars to date. In 2007 most expensive car list this supercar is most likely going to be replaced by its successor Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition.

6. Koenigsegg CCR - $545,570



Koenigsegg's CCR engine: an 806 HP Aluminum 90 Degree, Supercharged V-8 (with Dry Sump Lubrication).
Regretfully CCR is not a street-legal supercar, however Koenigsegg is already working on the solution to this problem. At the recent Geneva Motor Show, they unveiled the Koenigsegg CCX, a derivative of its CC family which is street-legal supercar for the U.S. roads.
Made in Sweden.

5. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo - $555,000



The Saleen S7 uses a 7 liter 750 HP V-8 engine. It is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.
Saleen's S7 Twin Turbo has fallen to the 5th place from last years first spot in most expensive car list. Mainly because all four nameplates ahead of it are new. However, the S7 still remains to be one of the more recognizable supercars on the list.
Made in U.S.

4. Leblanc Mirabeau - $645,080



Leblanc Mirabeau features a mid-engine that can output over 700 HP and is capable of reaching 230 mph / 370 km/h top speed.
Leblanc is rapidly ramping up the production of its new Mirabeau supercar, which, with its power and potential, should belong to a race track. Hopes are to make this powerful supercar street-legal for the U.S. roads by the end of 2006 or early 2007.
Made in Switzerland.

3. SSC Ultimate Aero - $654,500



SSC Ultimate Aero uses a 1,046 HP V-8 engine.
This is not just the most expensive, but it is also the fastest American car. Automaker SSC has estimated that this supercar is capable of reaching 260 to 273 mph on the racing track. And apparently its not the end of Ultimate Aero capabilities. SSC has already announced the Ultimate Aero TT model, which features an even more powerful engine.
Made in U.S.

2. Pagani Zonda Roadster F C12S 7.3, Clubsport version - $667,320



This Pagani Zonda features an engine that puts out 650 HP, which makes it more powerful than its predecessor Pagani Zonda F and much more powerful than the older Pagani Zonda C12 S.
Pagani is a boutique Italian race car maker that specializes in building radical-looking sports cars. This expensive new model has helped the Zonda remain in 2nd place on the most expensive car list, where it ended up in year 2005.
Made in Italy.

1. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - $1,192,060



Bugatti Veyron 16.4 uses a 16-cylinder, 1001 HP engine.
With its incredibly powerful engine, acceleration times and price, Veyron isn't just most expensive, but also most fascinating car in terms of performance and luxury. With its notorious production delays finally over, Bugatti's superstar Veyron is now already for sale in Europe and the company is working hard to bring it to the U.S. market.
Made in France.

Features That Make a Luxury Car

Luxury vehicles routinely promise premium features traditionally unavailable in nonluxury cars. But these features are no longer so exclusive: Heated leather seats, for example, can be had on an $18,000 Chevy Cobalt. With premium content moving across the market, luxury automakers must differentiate themselves by piling on even more equipment, said Mike Marshall, director of emerging automotive technology at J.D. Power and Associates. The result: Technologically advanced items such as intelligent remote entry and adaptive cruise control join leather and wood to create the modern luxury vehicle. Erich Merkle, an automotive analyst at research firm IRN Inc., joined Marshall and resident expert Joe Wiesenfelder in contributing to this list of features you can expect to find in different luxury segments.

Bantley Continental GT

By Jim Flammang
Cars.com
October 3, 2005

Vehicle Overview

According to Bentley, the Continental GT was "conceived to be a sporting coupe without rival." Striking in design, it's a full four-seater with all-wheel drive. Breathing with the assistance of twin turbochargers, its compact 552-horsepower W-12 engine drives a six-speed-automatic gearbox. Bentley claims the Continental GT can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

Little has changed for the 2006 model year. For 2005, a Mulliner Driving Specification edition of the Continental GT joined the lineup, promising "further sporting feel." Advan tires ride on two-piece, seven-spoke, 20-inch alloy wheels. Drilled alloy sport pedals and a knurled chrome and leather gearshift lever are installed.

New options for 2005 included a two-tone hide-trimmed steering wheel, cross-stitching on the seats and door panels, and Vavona and Olive Ash wood veneers. Voice activation for the in-car phone works in six languages. Carpets and seat belts can be matched to the main or secondary interior hue. A four-door Continental Flying Spur joins the Continental GT coupe for 2006 and is listed separately in the cars.com Research section.

Exterior

Continental GT appearance is far removed from the subtly sporty designs of Bentley's past models, which were comparatively sedate. Designers sought to blend traditional Bentley hallmarks and hand craftsmanship with a contemporary profile and advanced technology. Featuring pillarless hardtop styling, the Continental GT coupe has a minimal front overhang and pronounced rear fenders.

Flanking large inner headlights, the simple yet assertive mesh-type grille resembles that of no other modern Bentley. A flush-mounted rear spoiler rises automatically at high speeds. Air springs contain electronic dampers. The car's body is made in Germany, but it is assembled in Crewe, England.

Interior

Four people can enjoy the Continental GT coupe. According to Bentley, 6-foot-tall occupants fit easily in the front and rear seats. Interior designers worked with basketball players to ensure that people of all sizes and shapes could be accommodated. Leather upholstery comes in a choice of colors. Various types of wood interior trim can be specified.

A symmetrical fascia mates with a center console that rises and curves to the sides in a shape resembling the design of the Bentley wing insignia. Most routine controls can be operated from the steering wheel.

Under the Hood

Operating with twin turbochargers, the four-overhead-cam 6.0-liter W-12 generates 552 hp at 6,100 rpm and 479 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. The six-speed ZF automatic transmission has a manual-shift provision. All-wheel drive is standard. SafetyVentilated disc brakes have Bosch antilock technology with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. Side-impact and side curtain-type airbags are installed.

More Bentley Cars:
Bentley Brooklands
Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Bentley Azure

Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Vehicle Overview

Long known for costly British-built motorcars, Bentley turned to a lower-priced model in 2004: the Continental GT coupe. For the 2006 model year, a companion sedan enters the picture.

First seen at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, the Continental Flying Spur is the fastest four-door Bentley ever. Inspired by the company's Continental Flying Spur sedan of 1957, the new sedan is called a "grand tourer born of a coupe." Essentially, you get everything offered in the Continental GT, including a 552-horsepower turbocharged W-12, along with enhanced luxury and space.

The Continental Flying Spur was developed to "match world-beating technologies with renowned craftsmanship," said Bentley chairman Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen. "It is a performance car but not at the cost of comfort ... a sumptuous and spacious four-door grand tourer with the heart and soul of a high-performance coupe.

"Like the Continental GT coupe, the Continental Flying Spur has all-wheel drive. Bentley claims acceleration from a standstill to 60 mph occurs in 4.9 seconds. The Continental Flying Spur's global launch began in April 2005.

Exterior

The Continental Flying Spur's design is understated in the Bentley tradition. The company refers to the sedan as "evocative, timeless and unostentatious.

"Flowing body lines on the Continental Flying Spur include rounded C-pillars — called the "hockey stick" curve — like those found on many early Bentleys. A mesh-pattern grille is installed up front between recessed round headlights. At the rear, a humped trunk lid sits above integrated oval exhaust pipes. Chrome detailing is similar to that of the company's Arnage sedan. The additional body length emphasizes the car's waistline.

Bentley says the Continental Flying Spur is more aerodynamic than the Continental GT coupe; it has a slightly better coefficient of drag. One-piece 19-inch alloy wheels are used, and the automaker claims the car's front disc brakes are the largest on a production passenger car. An adjustable air suspension is installed.

Interior

Leather surfaces and wood veneers provide a sumptuous feel to the inside of the Continental Flying Spur, which can be equipped with either a four- or five-occupant interior. Leather hides come from Northern Europe, and each car uses about 11 of them. Rear occupants can expect abundant legroom. Naturally, the Continental Flying Spur is amply equipped. According to Bentley, "customers only have to choose options in order to personalize their car, rather than complete it.

Under the Hood

Breathing with the assistance of twin turbochargers, the Continental Flying Spur's 6.0-liter W-12 cranks out 552 hp and 479 pounds-feet of torque at a low 1,600 rpm. The six-speed-automatic transmission features a Tiptronic manual-shift provision that's operated by the gearshift lever or paddles behind the steering wheel. All-wheel drive is standard.

Safety

Eight airbags, including full-length side curtain-type airbags and side-impact airbags for both front and rear outboard occupants, are installed.

An electronic stability system is standard.

More Bentley Cars:
Bentley Brooklands
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Azure

Bentley Azure

BENTLEY AZURE





By Jim Flammang
Cars.com
October 11, 2005

Vehicle OverviewThe Azure convertible is manufactured in Crewe, England, at the same facility that turns out Bentley's Arnage sedans and special Mulliner editions.
At a dedicated Azure assembly area, about 6,500 spot welds are performed by hand using robotics to locate and clinch all closure panels. Finishing work is done in the Mulliner department, and the use of lightweight carbon-fiber cross braces contributes to the Azure's "exceptional levels of body stiffness," according to the company.

The car hits U.S. dealerships in spring 2006.ExteriorBentley says the new model's design was inspired not only by the 1995 - 2002 Azure, but also by the 1955 Park Ward S1 drophead coupe. In addition to borrowing its double-wishbone suspension and rigid body structure from four-door Bentleys, the new two-door Azure shares its front fascia with the current Arnage sedan.
The bumpers are body-colored, and chrome trim runs the length of the car's lower sides. The Azure's three-layer fabric top is hydraulically operated and can stow beneath a hide-trimmed tonneau cover in less than 30 seconds.InteriorUp to four people can fit inside the Azure. The company's stated goal was clear: to create an opulent and inviting seating area that reflects its status as a car that is at home in Palm Springs or the Riviera.
Under the HoodThe Azure's twin-turbocharged 6.8-liter V-8 develops 450 horsepower and 645 pounds-feet of torque. A four-speed-automatic transmission is standard. SafetyFront and rear side-impact airbags and an electronic stability system are installed. Pop-up bolsters can deploy in the event of a rollover, and the windshield has been reinforced.



More Bentley Cars:
Bentley Brooklands
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental Flying Spur

ULTRA LUXURY VEHICLE

BENTLEY ARNAGE




Notable Features
400-hp V-8 in Arnage R
450-hp V-8 in Arnage T
Standard- or extended-length models

What You Need to Know About Luxury Cars and Safety

We avoid deeming a vehicle "safer" than another because there are innumerable unquantifiable factors that contribute to a vehicle's overall safety. That said, we're comfortable calling the luxury vehicle category one of the safest. Real-world safety data don't separate the vehicle from the type of driver, and luxury drivers tend to be more careful than most. But crash tests and other factors reflect that the luxury designation itself raises the crashworthiness of the vehicle itself, as explained below.

Best of the Best: Top Crash-Test Scores

As a class, luxury vehicles have the best crash-test ratings.

As of the beginning of the 2006 model year, every single model listed in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's three luxury/near-luxury categories has scored Good in the frontal test, including the SUVs.

(The same applies for the two models in their "moderately priced" category that cars.com classifies as luxury.) Many but not all of the cars tested have been rated Good in the side-impact test. Some cars and all sport utility vehicles have not yet been tested for the side impact. Refer to the SUV Buying Guide and our Guide to Crash Tests and Rollover Ratings for more details.

Castagna-Aznom, Roll Royce, BMW,
Alfa