Dream on

One of the benefits of being a car buff is that it doesn’t cost much to enjoy the world’s most extravagant rides. With a ticket to the to the L.A. Auto Show or a copy of a glossy car magazine, anyone can dream, right? Of course, it isn’t quite the same as pushing an ultraluxury beauty into sixth gear on the I-15 — but just think of the cash you’ll save.

After all, supercars are far more than nuts, bolts, chrome and fuel. They’re works of art, often with dazzling (dare we say frivolous?) touches and cutting-edge technology that would probably make George Jetson’s head explode. 

Let’s look at a handful of dreams on wheels, the best of the best, insanely pricey beasts that few will ever be fortunate enough to pilot. But, then, fantasies are free.   

Bentley Mulsanne

This new Bentley flagship model, replacing the Arnage, might well be the ultimate fusion of automotive design and technology — with a cool factor that’s off the charts. Start with the style: The Mulsanne is at once stately and sleek, full of handcrafted wood and steel with sweet extras like a custom Tibaldi fountain pen designed to mirror the Mulsanne’s knurled-metal rotary switchgear. Under the hood is a 6.8-liter V-8 that packs 505 horsepower. Let’s not talk about fuel efficiency, but it does take E85 flex fuel. 

An impressive package for $290,000, but it’s in the advanced-technology department that the Mulsanne really shines. It has electric-powered folding wood picnic tables in the rear cabin, each with an iPad and Bluetooth keyboard. And there’s an Apple Mini Mac in the trunk that integrates all the Mulsanne’s high-tech functions, including the drop-down LED television.  

Maybach Landaulet

A truly majestic work of automotive art, the Landaulet brings new meaning to the word “ultraluxury,” justifying a segment-leading sticker price that tops $1.3 million. Where to begin? Rear seating is entirely separate from the chauffer’s cabin, with opulent reclining white leather armchairs and, with the roof open, a panoramic view of the sky. Based on the Maybach 62 S, the Landaulet is the world’s most powerful chauffeured saloon, packing a twin-turbocharged 6-liter 620-horsepower V-12 engine, meticulously refined to Mercedes-Benz AMG standards to deliver instantaneous power with nearly imperceptible noise. 

“To create only the best from the best, a vehicle that is the ultimate in wish fulfillment, with a distinctive character of the finest elegance and power.” That was Maybach’s stated goal back in the 1930s. With the Landaulet, they’ve achieved it.

Rolls-Royce Drophead Phantom Coupe

This legendary marque is renowned for supreme luxury as well as its “bespoke” policy of offering the finest accouterments upon request — virtually anything a discerning driver could covet. The ultimate expression of this was created for Masterpiece London 2011, a celebration of the world’s finest craftsmanship and design. This very special edition hosts a suite of one-off bespoke design details, including yacht-inspired teak decking, engraved tread plates and a four-piece set of handmade leather luggage set snugly in the rear picnic boot. The Masterpiece London Drophead Phantom Coupe is the first to wear Mazarine Blue — one in a palette of 44,000 shades available — and it comes with an Aspray jewelry case trimmed in rare suede tucked inside the passenger glove box. White instrument dials, rotary controllers and a designer clock finished in mother-of-pearl highlight the package. 

Then there’s the standard 6.8-liter 453-horsepower V-12 engine. This Phantom embodies the highest automotive aspirations, inside and out. And at $450,000, it better.

Porsche 918 Spyder

The prestige of Porsche ownership can now come with a clearer conscience, thanks to the brand’s Panamera hybrid model. Launched earlier this year, the four-door Panamera S Hybrid coupe is not only the most fuel-efficient car in Porsche’s current lineup (30 mpg highway), it’s also the world’s fastest production hybrid (167 mph), according to the manufacturer. But at $845,000, very few of us will even be considering Porsche’s plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder (of which only 918 will be produced), which is why it makes this list. This mid-engine sports car, Porsche’s first plug-in, is powered by a 500-horsepower 3.4-liter V-8 engine with three electric motors that deliver an additional 218 horses. The result is zero to 62 mph in less than 3.2 seconds and 78 mpg combined city/highway, based on a conversion from the European test cycle. Order yours now for 2013 delivery.

– Bob Young
Custom Publishing Writer