The world’s most expensive car options

Some exotic cars, such as the $1.7 million Bugatti Veyron the $640,000 Spyker C12 Zagato, only offer what are called “no-cost” options, and thus did not make it onto our top-ten list. “Our base price of $1.7 million is for the complete package. We give buyers the ability to individualize their vehicles at no additional cost,” says John Hill, market manager for Bugatti Automobiles USA.

Bugatti brings customers to its Dorlisheim, France, factory where they can customize everything from exterior paint colors to interior dashboard trim and even add a monogram to their vehicles.

“Even coachbuilders like Fisker offer few cost options, but almost unlimited choices,” says Steve Ferguson, an exotic car analyst at the National Automobile Dealer Association. “The price for these coachbuilt vehicles includes an almost endless array of options for people to choose from.”

Bentley, Ferrari, and others have their own division that can spec out a vehicle to virtually any whim. But they charge for it, unlike Bugatti and Fisker.

Some exotic car buyers are actually willing to pay more for fewer features. Super exotics such as the Ferrari F430 Scuderia or the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition offer improved performance by stripping away some of the amenities of the “regular” versions.

“Many buyers of exotic cars are just adding another vehicle to their stable and are therefore willing to pay a premium for a vehicle with fewer luxury options, say one with added performance, which makes the car even more impractical, but therefore even more rare,” Ferguson says.

These buyers prefer vehicles tailored to a singular purpose: “They drive their Maybach or Rolls-Royce when they want a luxury sedan, their Land Rover when they want an SUV. They want a Lamborghini for the track and a Bentley Continental GT when they desire a grand sports tourer,” Ferguson says.

To find the most indulgent options, we studied the order sheets of exotic and ultra-luxury car manufacturers and picked out those that cost the most. Keep in mind that manufacturers don’t list every possible option or amenity and that our list doesn’t take into account the extensive customization each company offers.

The nameplates considered for our ranking sell fewer than 10,000 each year in the United States. Four companies dominate the list: Bentley, Ferrari, Maybach, and Rolls-Royce. Check out the “slide show” link above to see what options command the highest prices.

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