Top three most expensive cars in the world

When it comes to cars, some are built for speed, some for luxury, and then some exist purely as rolling masterpieces. These ultra-rare machines aren’t just about getting from point A to point B—they’re about prestige, cutting-edge engineering, and eye-watering price tags.

Only a select few can afford them, and even fewer get the chance to own one. If you’ve ever wondered what the most expensive cars in the world are, here’s a look at the top three currently redefining automotive exclusivity.

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3. Bugatti La Voiture Noire

Price: $18.7 million (est)

Unveiled in 2019, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire is a truly one-of-a-kind bespoke commission. It was designed in tribute to the missing fourth Type 57 SC Atlantic for Bugatti’s 110th anniversary and is one of the rarest and most expensive cars ever built.

Its name translates to “the Black Car,” which reflects its deep black carbon fiber body, seamlessly sculpted to create a flowing, aerodynamic design. Every aspect of the car is handcrafted, with a monocoque chassis made from high-grade carbon fiber and a deep gloss black finish highlighting its sculpted exterior.

The La Voiture Noire features an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine that generates a whopping 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque, which enables the car to deliver breathtaking acceleration and top-tier performance. It has an estimated top speed of 260+ mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 2.4 seconds.

While mechanically similar to the Chiron, the La Voiture Noire prioritizes grand touring comfort over outright speed records. Its six exhaust tips, centrally mounted in homage to the legendary Type 57, further enhance its aggressive aesthetic. The extended wheelbase and handcrafted details reinforce its luxury status.

The front features Bugatti’s signature horseshoe grille integrated seamlessly into the La Voiture Noire’s elongated nose, while the headlights stretch along the fenders, adding to its futuristic appeal.

The rear is dominated by a full-length LED taillight strip and the aforementioned six-exhaust-pipe layout. We don’t know much about the interior, but given Bugatti’s standards, it likely features the highest levels of craftsmanship. The identity of the owner remains unknown, though speculation suggests it belongs to Ferdinand Piëch, the former chairman of Volkswagen Group.

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2. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

Price: $28 million

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail takes its inspiration from the legendary 1932 model, which was designed with the luxury J-class yachts of the 1920s in mind. The current Boat Tail marked the automaker’s return to coachbuilt customization in 2018, with three similar but not identical examples. The three share a chassis and 563 hp twin-turbo V12 engine with the Rolls-Royce Phantom. It has a top speed of about 155 mph and can reach zero to 60 mph in about 5 seconds.

With over 1,800 bespoke parts, each example features a parasol that extends from the rear deck, cocktail tables with matching seats, a complete set of Christofle tableware, and two refrigerators.

All models appear to have been spoken for. The first Boat Tail to be released is said to belong to Jay-Z and Beyonce and while they haven’t confirmed this, there are a few hints to suggest that’s the case. The car is blue and features a matching pair of men’s and women’s luxury watches from Bovet Fleurier, as well as Armand de Brignac champagne in its fridge. Jay-Z had previously invested $600 million in the brand that he co-owns with LM.

The second Boat Tail was commissioned by the son of an anonymous pearling magnate for his father. It features a pearlescent exterior and an accented mother-of-pearl interior. Like the blue Boat Tail, its trunk opens from centrally mounted hatches, revealing walnut trim and a picnic set complete with a parasol. An anonymous owner purchased the third Boat Tail, but details have yet to be revealed.

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1. Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail

Price: $30 million (est.)

The Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is the most expensive new vehicle. Inspired by the Black Baccara rose, the design holds significance for the commissioning couple, who had a hand in its creation but remain anonymous.

This coach-built masterpiece debuted in 2023 as the first of four commissioned Droptails. Its parquetry—a staple in many Rolls—Royce designs—is the most complex to date for the car company, with more than 1,600 hand-finished and hand-placed wood pieces assembled over two years.

Made from steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber, the Droptail is finished in a newly developed color, True Love red, with dark accents of the accompanying Mystery hue to capture the feel of the Baccara’s rich, velvet-like petals.

The paint process required over 150 iterations and was layered with a complex technique of transparent lacquers to create a pearlescent shimmer. The front grille, detailed with hand-painted accents, and stunning 22-inch alloy wheels accented in Mystery paint further emphasize the car’s striking presence.

The interior of the La Rose Noire Droptail features French-sourced Black Sycamore wood that forms an abstract design of falling rose petals. The interior also features a mix of the aforementioned colors in leather, adding a textured, pearlescent finish. According to the automaker, the craftsmanship is so intricate that the artisan responsible for its creation worked in silence for weeks at a time.

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The Rose Noire Droptail also incorporates an exclusive, removable Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept timepiece, specially designed to match the car’s color scheme. The owners also commissioned a bespoke champagne chest tailored to house their special edition Champagne de Lossy. It, too, has matching rose petal parquetry and features an integrated cooling system, hand-blown crystal glasses, and custom thermal champagne coolers.

The Droptail is about 10 inches shorter than the Rolls Royce Ghost. Its extreme luxury doesn’t detract from its considerable power, as its 6.7-liter V-12 engine cranks out 593 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque through either an 8-speed automatic or manual transmission. Rolls-Royce claims a top speed of 155 mph and a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.8 seconds.

The La Rose Noire Droptail is the first of four unique commissions. The second, Amethyst, is designed with the birthstone of the owner’s son in mind. The third, the Arcadia, is named after the pastoral paradise in Greek mythology. While Rolls-Royce isn’t forthcoming about their prices, it’s believed they are in the same range, if not more.

Final thoughts

Whether they end up in private collections or occasionally hit the road, these three vehicles are rolling works of art pushing the boundaries of luxury and engineering. Most of us will never get behind the wheel of one, but it’s fun to imagine what we would do if we owned one and what it would feel like to take one for a spin.

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