Motoring by Barry Hook
The news that a premiership footballer has bought the first Fisker Karma extended-range electric saloon that will soon be delivered to theUKis probably no surprise. It isn’t yet known who the footballer is … but my advice is to keep your eyes open for any unrecognisable car parked on double yellow lines outside a trendy bar in Wilmslow, Prestbury or Alderley Edge.
Fisker Karma
Whoever the buyer is, he now has a 125mph 403bhp car, which has a petrol engine that kicks-in when the batteries run low. The cars are made in Finland by contract assembler Valmet, but Fisker Europe is based inMunich.
When I think of some of the ostentatious supercars which our mystery footballer could have bought, I am encouraged that he chose to spend a modest £85,000 on an unpretentious yet green set of wheels.
I wonder how many of us – if we had the money – would have come to the same decision?
Here is a list of what I think are the 10 most expensive street- legal production cars in the world. Would you have chosen the Fisker Karma instead of any one of these?
(It would be disingenuous of me to suggest that our premiership footballer already has one or two of these in his garage before he added the Fisker!)
Veyron Super Sport
1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sports. £1,498,800
By far the most expensive street legal production car available on the market today. 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. After that you will think you are airborne. Top speed 267.81 mph. Unlike some more Spartan supercars there is an element of luxury.
Aston Martin-One77
2. Aston Martin One-77. £1,155,325.
Beautifully styled like all Aston Martins, only 77 have been made. 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Maximum speed 220 mph. And it is built inBritain.
Pagani-2
2. Pagani Zonda Clinique Roadster. £1,155,325
From a small private Italian company. 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. It promises to delivery a top speed of 217 mph.
Agera R4
4. Koenigsegg Agera R. £1,061,650
Built by Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, it runs on E85 ethanol and will burn enough of it to move from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically capped at 235 mph, but if you complete the right paperwork, the maker will unlock the speed limit so that for one occasion only, you will be able to enjoy a burst of 260 mph.
Reventon
5. Lamborghini Reventon. £999,200
It is a mid-engined sports car introduced in 2007 and ranks as one of the most powerful and
most expensive Lamborghini cars ever made. The slick design moves from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3
seconds. Top speed of 211 mph. Its rarity (limited to 20).
Maybach-Landaulet-Interior
6. Maybach Landaulet. £861,810
It is the most expensive saloon on the market but you will move from 0-60 mph in a sedate
5.2 seconds. It is luxurious with a convertible roof.
McLarenP1-2
7. McLaren P1. £800,000 (Estimated)
Strictly speaking I should not have included this in the list as deliveries won’t commence until
later this year. It will replace the legendary F1. There’s no drive train or performance
information as yet but the engine is expected to receive some kind of hybrid assistance.
- Zenovo-ST1
8. Zenvo ST1 £765,012
From a relatively young Danish company which is only going to make 15 models. 0 to 60 mph
in 2.9 seconds. Top speed 233 mph.
VenomGT-Spyder
9. Hennessey Venom GT Spyder. £477,749
Some say there is no other convertible that can match this American beast. 0 to 60 mph in 2.5
seconds. Only five Venom GTs are built each model year. 2013 production is sold out and thecompany has a waiting list for 2014 deliveries.
Ferrari Enzo
10. Ferrari Enzo. £418,415
OK, it’s no longer in production but it has been the most popular supercar ever built with 400
units produced. At auctions, today, they have been known to fetch over £620,000. 0 to 60 mph
in 3.4 seconds. Top speed 217 mph. Keep tuned for its replacement due this year.
