The 7 Most Expensive Cars Ever Built: Masterpieces of Speed, Luxury, and Design

Image credit: www.redbull.com Supercars and hypercars have always been more than just vehicles   they’re rolling works of art, blending engineering brilliance with jaw-dropping design. At...

August 23, 2025 11 min read Team Motorhub
A sleek hypercar concept displayed at the 2019 auto show, showcasing innovative design and advanced technology

Image credit: www.redbull.com

Supercars and hypercars have always been more than just vehicles   they’re rolling works of art, blending engineering brilliance with jaw-dropping design. At the very top of the market, some cars aren’t just rare; they’re practically unattainable, with only a handful ever built (and in some cases, just one).

From all-electric design marvels to bespoke luxury statements, this list explores the seven most expensive cars ever produced. But we’ll go beyond the price tags to uncover the innovation, craftsmanship, and exclusivity that make them true automotive legends.

Pininfarina B95 Speedster – $4.8 Million

Image credit: www.automobili-pininfarina.com/media-hub

Pininfarina has long been known as the design house behind some of Ferrari and Maserati’s most iconic cars. But with the B95 Speedster, the Italian firm has created something entirely its own   and entirely electric.

This barchetta-style hypercar has no windscreen and no side windows, making it a pure adrenaline machine. Underneath its striking body sits a colossal 120 kWh battery, giving it a top speed of 300 km/h and the ability to fast-charge from 20% to 80% in just 25 minutes.

Exclusivity is key here   production numbers are extremely limited, making the B95 one of the most desirable EV hypercars on the planet. It’s not just about speed; it’s about redefining what a luxury electric future looks like.

Bugatti Divo – $5.8 Million

Image credit: www.newsroom.bugatti.com

Bugatti has always blended elegance with outrageous speed, but the Divo pushes performance into a new league. Based on the Chiron, the Divo has been engineered as a corner-carving track monster.

Named after French racing driver Albert Divo, it manages to lap Bugatti’s 12.5 km test track 8 seconds faster than the Chiron, thanks to extreme aerodynamics, weight savings, and track-focused tuning.

Only 40 units were built, all spoken for before its debut. Its futuristic design   aggressive, sculpted, and aerodynamic   symbolizes Bugatti’s philosophy of art meeting engineering. If the Chiron is a grand tourer, the Divo is its wild, unrestrained sibling.

Red Bull RB17 – $6.2–6.7 Million

Image credit:  MrWalkr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150694152

When you think of Red Bull, you think Formula 1 dominance   and now, the energy drink giant has bottled that racing DNA into the RB17, its first-ever customer track car.

Unveiled at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the RB17 is powered by a 4.5L naturally aspirated V10 paired with electric assist. It revs to an astonishing 15,000 rpm, delivering over 1,200 horsepower   performance numbers that rival F1 machinery.

Designed by Adrian Newey, arguably the greatest F1 car designer of all time, the RB17 isn’t road legal. It’s a pure track weapon   and for collectors, that only makes it more desirable. For motorsport enthusiasts, owning one means stepping into Red Bull’s championship-winning world.

Pagani Huayra Codalunga – $7.4 Million

Image credit:  Edvvc https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146935779

Horacio Pagani’s creations are always part supercar, part sculpture   and the Huayra Codalunga might be his most breathtaking masterpiece yet.

The “Codalunga,” or long-tail, is inspired by the endurance racers of the 1960s, particularly the Porsche 917. Weighing just 1,280 kg, it’s featherlight compared to other hypercars. Power comes from a Mercedes-AMG V12 producing 840 hp.

Only five units were ever built, making it one of the rarest Paganis in history. Each car showcases Pagani’s obsession with detail: hand-crafted carbon fibre, artistic interiors, and a silhouette that feels both futuristic and nostalgic. It’s as much a collectible art piece as it is a performance machine.

Maybach Exelero – $8 Million

Image credit:  Simon Davison https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2031432

Sometimes, legends are born by accident. The Maybach Exelero was commissioned in 2004 by tyre manufacturer Fulda (a Goodyear subsidiary) to test a new line of ultra-high-performance tyres. What resulted was a one-off luxury coupe that has since achieved cult status.

Designed by a university student, the Exelero was styled as a modern homage to the Maybach SW 38 of the 1930s. It’s powered by a twin-turbo V12 and combines brutish presence with unmistakable elegance.

Its fame has been amplified by appearances in pop culture   from German TV shows to Jay-Z’s music video for Lost One. Though never intended for production, the Exelero has become one of the most iconic and recognisable one-off hypercars ever created.

Bugatti Chiron Profilée – $10.8 Million

Image credit:  Calreyn88 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125463918

Sometimes history is made by mistake. The Bugatti Chiron Profilée was originally intended to be a 30-car production run, but plans were scrapped   leaving just one single unit. That accident instantly made it one of the rarest Bugattis in history.

With 0–100 km/h in just 2.3 seconds and bespoke woven leather interiors that cover everything from the dashboard to the doors, the Profilée represents peak craftsmanship and performance.

When it went to auction, it sold as the last W16-powered Chiron ever built, cementing its place as a modern legend. For collectors, it’s the ultimate blend of performance, rarity, and narrative.

Rolls-Royce Sweptail – $12.8 Million

Image credit:  J Harwood https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99773271

If the cars on this list prove anything, it’s that exclusivity defines value. And no car embodies that principle more than the Rolls-Royce Sweptail.

Commissioned by a single client and inspired by luxury yachts, the Sweptail took four years to build. Based on the Phantom Coupé, it features a panoramic glass roof, handcrafted interiors, and details tailored to the client’s personal vision.

At its unveiling in 2017, it became the most expensive new car in the world   a title it held until 2019. Today, it remains the ultimate symbol of bespoke luxury and the lengths Rolls-Royce will go to satisfy its most discerning customers.

Trends in Hypercar Collecting

Looking across this list, some fascinating trends emerge:

Conclusion – The Future of Automotive Luxury

From the long-tailed Pagani Codalunga to the yacht-inspired Rolls-Royce Sweptail, these cars prove that imagination, engineering, and luxury know no bounds. They’re not just vehicles   they’re cultural symbols, technological experiments, and financial treasures. For enthusiasts in the UAE, these hypercars represent more than dream machines   they embody a future where electrification, bespoke design, and exclusivity converge. And with Dubai cementing itself as a global hub for luxury cars, the next record-breaking hypercar may already be waiting in a Sheikh’s private collection

Luxury Cars and Hypercars in the UAE: Where Dreams Meet Reality

Dubai and the wider UAE have become global magnets for hypercars. With tax advantages, world-class roads, and a thriving car culture, the region is home to some of the rarest and most expensive cars on the planet. At Motorhub, we bring enthusiasts closer to these icons, offering insights into the models that shape automotive history. Whether you’re an admirer, an investor, or a future collector, the UAE is the perfect place to experience the pinnacle of automotive excellence

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