The most expensive cars in the world – how much do they cost and why are they so pricey? [TOP 10]

Did you know that the most expensive cars in the world are meticulously engineered creations, combining cutting-edge technology with extremely limited availability? Their value comes from handcrafted production, bespoke configuration, limited runs, and the use of highly advanced materials. Prices reach hundreds of millions of dollars, and each unit is a unique technical and investment project. In this roundup, you’ll discover how much the world’s most expensive cars cost and what features make them truly exceptional.

How much do the most expensive cars in the world cost?

Prices start at several million dollars but can exceed even $100 million—as in the case of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. The world’s most expensive cars don’t fit into a single price category—much depends on whether we’re talking about a brand-new showroom model, a prototype, a concept car, or a classic from the 1950s sold at auction.

Sample price ranges for the most expensive cars:

• modern cars (produced after 2010) – from $10 million to $30 million;
• classics with a story – from 20 to 80 million dollars;
• unique auction models – over 100 million.

Each of these cars has something that sets it apart—be it technology, history, or an absurdly limited production run.

The most expensive cars in the world – TOP 10

In this list, you’ll find vehicles produced in the 21st century that have actually reached customers – these are not just concept models.

Place 10: Pagani Huayra Codalunga – $7.4 million

This is the long-tail version of the Huayra model, of which only 5 units were produced (the name comes from “long tail” – “coda lunga” in Italian), designed for collectors and inspired by the aesthetics of the 1960s.

What’s under the hood? A 6-liter V12 engine developed by AMG, delivering 840 hp and a torque of 1100 Nm. The car weighs just 1280 kg—less than most modern hatchbacks. Thanks to the use of carbon and titanium, it boasts an incredible power-to-weight ratio.

Codalunga is a symbol of Pagani’s individual approach to design – every element can be tailored to the owner.

Pagani Huayra Codalunga specifications: 

Place 9: Mercedes-Maybach Exelero – $8 million

A vehicle shrouded in legend and resembling Batman’s car. It was created in 2005 as a concept for tire manufacturer Fulda, designed to test new tires at extremely high speeds. The result? A car with a V12 biturbo engine producing 690 HP, reaching a top speed of over 350 km/h.

Designed with both luxury and performance in mind—the interior features the finest leather, carbon fiber, and aluminum finishes. Interestingly, for many years the Exelero was considered the most expensive car in the world, until the era of Koenigseggs and Bugatti arrived.

The car was later purchased by rapper Birdman, and then—according to rumors—ended up in a European collection.

This is the only example in the world—a fully functional prototype with legal road approval. Its unique design, futuristic silhouette, and strong ties to pop culture have made it a true collector’s gem.

Specifications of the -Maybach Exelero: 

Place 8: Bugatti Divo – $9 million

When Bugatti decided to create a more “track-focused” version of the Chiron, the Divo was born—lighter, more aggressive, and strictly limited (only 40 units).

The car is powered by the same 8-liter W16 engine with 1500 hp as the Chiron, but it features completely different suspension, cooling, and aerodynamic details. It is also 35 kg lighter and handles corners much better.

Divo is a return to its roots – named after the racing driver Albert Divo, who won the prestigious Targa Florio races for Bugatti in the 1920s.

Bugatti Divo specifications: 

Place 7: Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita – $9.6 million

This car looks as if it were covered in diamond dust. And that’s no coincidence – the name “Trevita” comes from the Swedish for “three whites,” and the paint contains carbon fiber coated with resin infused with microscopic diamond particles.

Trevita is based on the CCXR model – under the hood, it features a 4.8-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 1,018 hp. Acceleration? 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.9 seconds. In 2015, one unit was purchased by Floyd Mayweather for over $4.8 million, but the model’s value on the secondary market has already exceeded $9.5 million.

Only 2 pieces. Literally two. Production has ended because the lacquer technology was too complex and expensive. And the diamond coating? It’s really there.

Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita specifications: 

Place 6: Bugatti Centodieci – $10 million

A model created in honor of the legendary Bugatti EB110 from the 1990s – the Centodieci (which means “one hundred and ten” in Italian) is a tribute to the engineering and design of decades past.

Only 10 units were built. Each one is based on the Chiron, but features a new body and even more extreme aerodynamic details. The engine remains the same—a W16 with 1600 hp—but the 0-100 km/h acceleration has been reduced to just 2.4 seconds.

Interestingly, one of the owners is Cristiano Ronaldo himself. These cars sold out even before their official premiere.

A limit of just 10 units, fully handcrafted production, and a unique tribute to a historic model make the $10 million price tag unsurprising. The Centodieci is also a testament to the strength of the Bugatti brand—now part of the Rimac group, yet still steeped in classic heritage.

Bugatti Centodieci specifications:

Place 5: Rolls-Royce Boat Tail – $28 million

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, a bespoke creation —designed from scratch and built according to the client’s specifications. Officially, only three units have been made, each one entirely unique.

The name “Boat Tail” is no coincidence—the rear of the vehicle resembles a luxury yacht. The car features a fold-out picnic set with silver cutlery, an umbrella, and a table hidden in the trunk.

Engine? V12, 6.75 liters —the same as in the Phantom models, but here, no one cares about the numbers anymore.

This is an entirely handmade creation, tailored to one person’s lifestyle. The price reflects not just the materials or mechanics, but exclusivity—and the story this car tells.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail specifications: 

4th place: Bugatti La Voiture Noire – $19 million

The name literally means “black car” and refers to the legendary Type 57 SC Atlantic model from the 1930s, which disappeared during World War II. La Voiture Noire is a modern interpretation of that lost car.

Under the hood – the same powerful W16 engine with 1500 HP as in the Chiron. But it’s not the power that determines its value. It’s all about the looks, the engineering, and its exclusivity – only one unit was ever made.

Bugatti has officially confirmed that the owner is a “well-known brand collector.” Industry insiders mention someone of the caliber of Ferdinand Piëch (former chairman of VW), but his name has not been officially confirmed.

The only one of its kind. A modern tribute to the rarest Bugatti model in history. And prestige—because who wouldn’t want to be the sole owner of La Voiture Noire?

Bugatti La Voiture Noire specifications: 

3rd place: Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta – $17.5 million

Although Pagani ended production of the Zonda many years ago, at the special request of Horacio Pagani, one final tribute was created – the HP Barchetta.

It features a cropped roof (the “barchetta” type), asymmetrical wheel arches, a hand-finished interior, and plenty of details that pay homage to the brand’s history.

Engine – V12 AMG, delivering 789 hp. Rear-wheel drive, manual transmission – a classic combination paired with cutting-edge materials like carbon-titanium. Only three units were made.

This is the last Zonda ever made. One unit remains in Pagani’s own garage. The other two went to a select group of clients. The Zonda HP Barchetta isn’t just a car—it’s a farewell to a legend.

Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta specifications:

2nd place: Bugatti Chiron Profilée – $10.8 million

Profilée, a unique version of the Chiron, was created as a bridge between the Pur Sport and the classic Chiron. It was designed to be more elegant, yet still retain a track-focused character. Initially, a small series was planned, but in the end, only one example was produced.

Chiron Profilée differs not only in color and details. It features different gearbox ratios, modified suspension, and a unique spoiler.

In January 2023, the car went up for auction at RM Sotheby’s and fetched a price of 9.8 million euros – that is, over 10.8 million dollars.

This is the last Chiron with a W16 engine ever sold to the public. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that… it was never meant to exist. The only example whose story began with a rejected design.

Bugatti Chiron Profilée specifications:

Place 1: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé – $143 million

The most expensive car in the world – an absolutely record-breaking price. The Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé from 1955. Only two units were ever made, and one of them was sold at a private auction in Stuttgart in 2022.

It was based on the racing version of the SLR – but was street-legal. Engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut used it as his company car. It had a 3-liter engine and reached 290 km/h – a speed unattainable at that time.

Mercedes sold it to a private collector for 143 million dollars. The money went to a special fund supporting research on sustainable development.

This is a unique story—one of only two existing examples, tied to one of the most significant moments in Mercedes history. And more than that, it’s a vehicle that changed the way we perceive classic motoring.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé specifications:

Summary

As you can see, the world’s most expensive cars aren’t just vehicles with staggering power. They are unique masterpieces, often handcrafted with one person, one story, and one idea in mind.

The most expensive cars in the world:

• feature exceptional technical specifications and a unique design;
• they are limited editions – often produced in just a few pieces;
• they can be an investment – their value increases year by year;
• are connected to the history of automotive or legendary figures.

It’s a world you can’t just walk into off the street. But understanding it—that’s something you can have right away. The knowledge you’ve just gained lets you see the automotive world from a completely new perspective. Not as a product, but as a story, an investment, a passion.

Comparison of the world’s most expensive cars from today’s ranking: