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An Inside Look at the Rolls-Royce Assembly Plant in Goodwood

The loving attention to detail that goes into the creation of the revered cars is simply astounding…, laura burstein, laura burstein's most recent stories.

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Superior craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and the human touch: These are the elements that make the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars headquarters and assembly plant the mecca for Rolls-Royce owners, both current and future. Recently, RobbReport.com was given the opportunity to tread these hallowed grounds.

Although the Rolls-Royce name has been around since 1906, its immaculate building in Goodwood, West Sussex, England—built on the sprawling estate of Lord March and just across the road from the famous Goodwood Circuit—has only stood for a dozen years. Its opening marked the end of a five-year battle over trademark and production rights between Volkswagen and BMW Group, with the latter ultimately prevailing and establishing Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as a wholly owned subsidiary.

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“We like to say that BMW’s acquisition brought German efficiency to British style,” our affable guide tells us.

In many ways, the Goodwood campus, which employs more than 500 people, feels less like a factory and more like a working museum. The stylish, eco-friendly building is bright and open, with an 8-acre roof covered in living plants.

It takes nearly two months to build a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The factory floor lacks any loud machines cutting or stamping metal; the bare bodies arrive pre-assembled from Germany, where they are first painted, both manually and by robots. While watching the cars get their shiny final coats, customers can peruse a wall of dozens of color swatches. From there, the cars are fitted with their power trains and receive all interior appointments and exterior trim, including the trademark Spirit of Ecstasy emblem. Most of this work is done by hand by master craftspeople in their respective trades.

In the leather shop, artisans stretch, mark, and slice pieces of trim using lasers and computer-controlled cutters. Each machinist sews the entire interior for a single car using a double-needled sewing machine. It takes eight or nine full hides to dress the interior of one Rolls-Royce, and the leather is sourced from a single batch to ensure consistency in color and texture.

Crafting the wood trim for one car can take 30 days. Veneers are cut using a process called “book matching,” which ensures the wood grains retain symmetry throughout the car. The company keeps copies of each veneer in its archives, and even numbers and tracks each specific donor tree—just in case any piece needs to be replaced.   

One of the most impressive endeavors undertaken at the factory is the creation of Rolls-Royce’s Starlight headliner, which reportedly uses more than 1,300 individual fiber-optic strands to mimic the alignment of the stars that shone in the sky over Goodwood on New Year, 2003—the factory’s first day of operation. Each strand is inserted into the headliner by hand in a process that takes nine to 10 hours to complete.

Once assembled, the cars go through a series of rigorous tests and quality-control checks—as well as a test drive on local roads—before they are ready for delivery. When a finished car rolls off the production line, the entire team gathers to admire one another’s work and celebrate their collective accomplishment—a testament to the company’s close-knit culture.

For those who appreciate art, design, and attention to detail, a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory provides a gratifying glimpse into the painstaking process of creating one of the world’s most expensive automobiles—especially if the intention is to bring one home. ( rolls-roycemotorcars.com )

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Rolls-Royce Factory Tour: A Jolly Good Day in Goodwood

Every quest has a beginning. For the owner of a Rolls-Royce it begins in Goodwood, England in the southern region of the country. Here is where the new environmental-friendly factory and corporate headquarters combo for the British automaker were built just five years ago. Here is where dreams come true for individuals blessed with inconceivable privilege and celebrity. To fulfill my temporary appetite for the finer things in life, I decided to spend two days in storied Goodwood while playing the role of the young Crown Prince from Qatar whose fervor and sensibility yearned for truly original ideas and outcomes.

My serendipitous moment came during a conversation at Pebble Beach with Richard Carter, Director of Global Communications, and Thomas “TJ” Jefferson, Head of Marketing Services, for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited. Carter, a tall, stern South African with an open mind has communicated more than once regarding my visit since I missed both the highly celebrated Festival of Speed and The Revival which take place summer and fall respectively in Goodwood. So I hopped on a United Airlines direct flight from Washington Dulles to Paris for a few days. After three memorable days in The City of Light, I caught an afternoon Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to St. Pancras International in center of London. The quick two-hour train ride was easy and comfortable. I stayed in the Bloomsbury area of town enjoying good Indian food and shopping on Southampton Row. It was rainy and dull in London that weekend so I studied the Rolls-Royce product lineup in my quaint hotel. Fortunately for me, I have been privy to driving every vehicle the company builds thanks to my good friends from the US Rolls-Royce team.

On Sunday, I woke up early for an early morning stroll and breakfast awaiting my pickup to Goodwood. Colin Ledwith was right on time and collected me in a Black Phantom Long Wheelbase. The Royal treatment was unimaginable. Colin, with his immaculately posh English, suggested I take my shoes off and rub my feet on the “lambs wool” carpet. And after a few indelible moments glazing at the landscape to the countryside I was sound asleep like a cub under the warmth of its mother’s fur.

Less than two hours later we arrived at the 200-year-old Royal Oak Inn in charming West Sussex village close to Goodwood Park and the remarkable cathedral town of Chichester. The Inn comprises a pub and restaurant, which is a popular “local” for many, and six cozy guestrooms replete with Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, full bath and a DVD player with a selection of classics. I paid attention to none of that and looked out of my window at the plain fields that stretched for miles. If there was ever a time to be at peace with yourself, this would be it. TJ scooped me moments later for a quick beer at The Kennels, a members only golf clubhouse on the grounds of the Goodwood House where the historical Festival of Speed is held. We even caught some NFL action on the big screen. Then we scurried back to the Royal Oak for dinner with Nigel Wonnacott, Product PR Manager, and good friend and fellow British writer and broadcaster Victoria Macmillan Bell.

The next morning Collin was back with another Phantom to escort me to the Rolls-Royce factory located on the south end of the Goodwood Estate for my tour and a proper British lunch. This is a factory I thought, clambering out the Phantom. The glass-encased building resembles more of a corporate office than a manufacturing plant. Emily Dungey, Product PR Officer, greeted me with enthusiasm. She was also the mastermind behind my overly convenient and precise travel arrangements. Before the tour I ran into North American President and pal Paul Ferraiolo, who was “across the pond” for meetings. He, too, was elated that I finally got a chance to experience “bespoke” craftsmanship from Rolls-Royce. Emily then introduced me to Corporate Communications Officer, Marco Jahn who would be my very knowledgeable tour guide for the next two hours. A short sojourn into the welcome room for tea would give me an overview of “who’s who” and “what’s what” at the plant. Sales for Roll-Royce are up three-fold and demand is hard to meet these days. The company can thank the Ghost, dubbed after the 1906 Silver Ghost, for the achievement. That should make all 850 employees that more proud to be a part of the BMW Group owned British brand. As architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw put it, “creating a spiritual home for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for the 21st Century meant more than just designing a building to house the headquarters and manufacturing plant. The challenge was to make it a symbol of Rolls-Royce’s innovative approach – unique, forward-thinking and a world apart.

We walked down the line as Marco identified every simultaneous operation within the enviable Rolls-Royce climate. Each Ghost goes through 16 stations with a build time of an hour each, while the Phantom is fitted in 11 stations at 2 hours each. Just 15 cars a day are hand-built with the craftsmanship of experienced artisans who are trained for a specific bespoke task. So essentially, every vehicle in the plant has been sold with delegated directives from the buy, whether it’s a Fanta Orange Phantom Coupe or an Arctic White exterior/interior Ghost or a Yellow Drophead Coupe. For example, two Phantoms were designed for the Arabian Gulf with a reflection on the area’s pride and joy — the falcon — which represents power, swiftness and agility. The Coupe consisted of an Orchid Pear White exterior, a dual Tudor Red coach line, Seashell leather interior and falcon embroidered headrests.

We continued on to witness the marriage between a body shell and the powertrain. It was like surgery, watching each component match up piece by piece and by hand! Everywhere I turned there were ultra-premium materials all designated to a particular vehicle. Marco showed me the paint and wood shop and described how a Walnut burr log is purchased from an orchard plantation and ultimately carved into veneers. He described the freedom for endless hues and decorative veneers defines why Phantoms are the most luxuriant, moving depiction of grandiose artistry at its finest. There was so much to see in so little time.

I had lunch with Richard, TJ, Marco, Nigel and Emily before heading out. They were all intrinsically curious of my satisfaction and experience. Indeed I was! I made sure to bring back a souvenir, a Roll-Royce leather cardholder. There were many emotional repercussions to my departure as Collin dropped me off at London Heathrow for my United flight back to Washington, D.C. I momentarily looked back at the beauty and grandeur of the Phantom as Collin pulled away in slow motion. At least I would be upgraded in Business Class to enjoy equivalent amenities. It was now time for a movie, wine and a nap to restore me back to normalcy.

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Rolls-Royce Goodwood factory tour

A photo tour of the goodwood home of rolls-royce motor cars..

By Vlad Savov

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An Inside Look at the Rolls-Royce Luxury Factory in Goodwood

Home » An Inside Look at the Rolls-Royce Luxury Factory in Goodwood

Horatiu Boeriu

August 5, 2019 / 7 minutes read

“We don’t just build cars, we build luxury items and create dreams,” a note from Gerry Spahn, Head of Communications Rolls-Royce of North America said back in June. That statement is not something you often see in the automotive world and it’s by far the best invite one could get. So while I was in Europe for the BMW #NextGen event , Rolls-Royce extended an invitation to go across the Channel and visit their famous plant in Goodwood. A quick flight puts me into London – right before the start of the Wimbledon –  which coincidentally seated me next to Boris Becker, the famous tennis player, and a great chap.

After a couple of hours of great tennis conversations, I’m already off to a great start. The Heathrow airport is less congested than I remember, so I quickly get to the baggage claim where a stylish English gentlemen holds a Rolls-Royce sign for me. A few steps later and a beautiful Rolls-Royce Wraith awaits to take me on a two-hour journey to Goodwood.

For those of you unfamiliar with Goodwood, the little city is in the southern English countryside, close to the cathedral city of Chichester, surrounded by a scenic landscape and endless green.

The plant is situated on a site covering 42 acres and employs over 1,800 people of almost 50 nationalities who work hard to build the most luxurious automobiles in the world. More than 4,000 luxury vehicles are being built here every year, with the Phantom being the flagship. The latest addition is the Cullinan , Rolls’ first-ever SUV which is now finding a home in many garages around the world.

Designed by architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and merging effortlessly into the beautiful West Sussex countryside, the award-winning building was created to lower our environmental footprint. It’s built down low into the ground and with an entirely grass-covered roof, as well as with tall glass surrounding the entire building and, along with skylights, filling the entire factory with natural light. The eight-acre curved living roof – the largest in the UK – is home to hardy sedum plants. The green coverage improves the building’s insulation and reduces rainwater runoff, while also acting as an effective camouflage.

It’s a piece of art that will forever go down in the history of architecture, and even if you’re not a car buff, it’s still something worth seeing.

Our tour guide for the day is James, a funny and quirky Englishman who’s worked at the factory since its inception in 2003. Needless to say, James has all the tales possible in the world and he’s the perfect host. He takes us down the memory lane on how Rolls-Royce came to life which goes as far as 1904. In short, it was then when Charles Rolls and Henry Royce founded the company and produced their first car – the Rolls-Royce 10 HP. Its recent history though dates as far back as 1998 when Rolls-Royce was sold by Vickers to Volkswagen, with BMW holding the rights to the name and marque for use on Rolls-Royce cars.

There is a little bit more of a background to this. In 1980, when Vickers acquired Bentley and Rolls-Royce from Rolls-Royce PLC, a fine print was put in the contract. And missed by the lawyers. The fine print said that if, in the future, Vickers decides to sell Rolls-Royce, the trademark will immediately return to its shareholders.

So in a bidding war, BMW was outbid by Volkswagen (£430 million over £340 million), but it turns out they bought only part of the company. Apparently, while playing golf with the BMW brasses, Sir Ralph Robbins, the head of Rolls-Royce PLC, casually introduced the idea to BMW of buying the trademark and patents for a measly 40 million British Pounds. BMW now owned the name and logo, while Volkswagen had rights to the mascot and grill.

But how did BMW get VW to release the “Flying Lady”? For five years, VW was allowed to build Rolls-Royce cars, but since they had no engines available for the large, luxury vehicles, they had to reach out to BMW. The Bavarians agreed to supply the engine, as long as the mascot and grille go to BMW on January 1, 2003. The timeline gave BMW enough time to design a new car, build the Rolls-Royce staff and prepare a new plant.

Another interesting piece of history is the famous Rolls-Royce mascot – The Flying Lady. John Scott Montagu, a mutual friend of C.S. Rolls and Claude Johnson, had arranged for an artist, Charles Sykes, to illustrate the 1911 Rolls-Royce sales catalogue. But  Henry Royce was not a fan of mascots, yet he agreed that the company needs one. Sykes came up with the figurine of a girl with arms outstretched holding the folds of her gown blowing in the breeze. The legend says that  Sykes used John Montagu’s secretary, Eleanor Thornton, as the model for his work.

Originally named as ‘The Spirit of Speed’ and more generally called ‘The Flying Lady’ or ‘The Silver Lady,’ she is correctly known as “The Spirit of Ecstasy.”

After this exciting intro, James, our host, takes us into the delivery room where customers take ownership of their cars. This is where I also come across an old, steel safe where the car contract is being deposited. It’s a small touch, but with a lot of history behind it.

Next step in our Goodwood journey brings us in front of a stage where one of the 50 Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII models in the world will be unveiled to us. It’s a similar concept to what a “real” Rolls-Royce customer will go through and it’s quite exciting. You can read that report here .

Now it’s time to go down to the production line to see how these luxury items are being built. The first stop is the paint workshop. Some of the simple painting of the car is done by machine, but a lot of it is hand sprayed. Rolls-Royce has over 44,000 paint colors to choose from but will make literally anything a customer wants. Rolls-Royce can and even will match the color of a customer’s lipstick. A famous American Rolls-Royce collector brought some flowers from his garden to have the color replicated on his new Rolls.

And while the paint coats are done partly by robots, all of the tiny details, such as the coach line and any other striping, is done by hand by one man – Mark Court. And this one man can paint anything on the car, from floral designs to initials. He has a steady enough hand that he simply doesn’t make mistakes. In fact, he can’t make a mistake, because Rolls-Royce uses special paint that immediately bonds with the car, so any mistake could ruin the paint job of a $500,000 car.

Mark is often flown around the world to custom-paint designs and has a team of apprentices.

At least seven coats of paint, and as many as 22, are applied to each car, sometimes bringing the total weight of the paint to 45 kilograms.

From the moment you step onto the factory floor, one thing is immediately noticeable – this is NOT your typical car factory. The plant lacks any loud machines cutting or stamping metal – the chassis arrives pre-assembled from BMW in Germany. Compared to other plants, the engine marriage to the body happens later in the manufacturing process. The idea here is that factory workers are more inclined to maintain a spotless work environment if the car has already been through a few stations where manual work was done.

Inside the car, the leather is had from bulls growing in the Alps Mountains in southern Bavaria, as bulls don’t get pregnant so their skin doesn’t get stretch marks and the mountain climate doesn’t promote a lot of bugs that bite the bulls skin. Rolls-Royce also only gets leather from bulls that have already been killed for food and do not specially kill any animals for leather. The leather can also be dyed in a simply ridiculous variety of colors, however the seat upholstery can only be done in leather, as nothing else holds together as well. But, for trim, door panels or anything else that can come in leather, a wide variety of materials can be had, such as alligator or ostrich leather.

A machinist sews the entire interior for a single car using a double-needled sewing machine. Rolls-Royce says that it takes eight or nine full hides to dress the interior of one Rolls-Royce.

In the leather workshop, a piece of cowhide was laid on a large table. A Rolls-Royce employee first inspects the entire piece of cowhide by hand to detect any defects or uneven parts. Next, a laser machine scans the cowhide and points out the defects.

For the interior wood, the veneers are sourced from all over the world and many different woods are available. Customers can even source their own wood, for instance one customer wanted wood from a tree that fell in his yard. Rolls can also use other materials than wood, or any other type of material. If a customer dreams it, and can afford it, a customer gets it. Rolls-Royce said that for every tree they harvest, they plant minimum 5 trees of the same.

The wood trim process can take up to 30 days for some models. The process of cutting the veneers is called “book matching,” which ensures the wood grains retain symmetry throughout the car. The veneers are stored in a vast, walk-in humidor kept at a constant 28 degrees centigrade and 80 degrees humidity. Rolls keeps copies of each veneer in its archives, just in case any piece needs to be replaced.

Rolls-Royce can also embroider anything a customer wants into the seats, door panels or pretty much anywhere else.

Next on our journey is the workshop responsible for the starlight headliner. A single individual assembles by hand the headliner which features anywhere between 800 and 1,600 fiber-optic lights. It takes about 17 hours to complete on starlight headliner. Customers can also customize the lights so as to resemble certain constellations in the sky. It takes each associate three months training to be able to work on the starlight headliner. It’s so impressive, 50 percent of all Rolls customers get it.

Once the Rolls is completed, the car goes to the test and final inspection area. The car is being carefully inspected and often polished many times to achieve the color and finish desired by the customer. Furthermore, a real test drive is performed on the roads around Goodwood. The test goes over 10 miles before it heads back to the factory where it’s being returned to a zero miles state.

Our tour now comes to an end and there are few lessons to be learned here. One is that each Rolls-Royce is meticulously assembled and crafted by some of the finest men and women in the industry. Two, buying a Rolls-Royce is a luxury experience and not something that should be rushed by the customer. Being different than others is what Rolls-Royce promotes and the luxury maker gives you that opportunity to customize your Rolls-Royce to an extent never seen before.

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Rolls-Royce Spectre Completes Over 1.5-Million Miles of Testing Around The World

The EV traveled the world to learn how to adapt to different road conditions.

Rolls-Royce has announced the completion of the 2.5-million kilometer (over 1.5-million miles) Global Testing Program for its ultra-luxury electric vehicle (EV), the Spectre . Essentially the replacement of the Rolls-Royce Wraith , the Spectre has proven EVs can also deliver what staple combustion-powered cars offer.

"Spectre is the Rolls-Royce that changes everything. It symbolizes not only the marque's technological leadership of the super-luxury sector, but that a bold electric future, first prophesized in 1900 by our founder, Charles Rolls, is now upon us," said Torsten Müller-Otvos, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

"It is a highlight of my professional life to have developed Rolls-Royce Spectre, the car which propels Rolls-Royce into its bold, electric future," said Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Director of Engineering, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "Rolls-Royce Spectre brings the future of this great marque into the present."

The 1.2-million-mile-long testing announced back in February already sounded daunting on its own. Yet, the British luxury automaker went further and still conducted even more intense development processes including driving in extreme temperature conditions of -40°F to 122°F. This shows the EV components and parts of the Spectre have stayed intact.

As a brand that always has its customers in mind, Rolls-Royce also conducted the Lifestyle Analysis program, which aims gather to data for formulating super-luxury qualities in the Spectre. RR took the EV in China, United Arab Emirates, California, and London to understand how the powertrain performs on specific roads and make adjustments capable of adapting to varying demands globally.

Over at the Rolls-Royce factory, the automaker didn't have a hard time filling the Spectre's order books. Muller-Otvos previously said they may adjust their plans for the model by building more units than expected. As a Rolls-Royce-badged car, prospective owners are laid out with a wide array of customization inside and out.

Now that the testing program comes to a close, the next stop for the Rolls-Royce Spectre is the production line. The client deliveries are slated to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

One of the market rivals the Spetre will soon have to deal with is the Cadillac Celestiq , an all-electric luxury vehicle that also exceeded reservation expectations .

The cars with the largest engines ever made

Posted: March 22, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

Forget downsizing.

Here are some of the biggest-engined cars ever built. With this collection of behemoths, size really does matter .

If you though the current crop of supercars were big capacity hitters, take a look at our list of the best big bore motors, arranged in ascending order of size.

Lamborghini Aventador (6.5-liters)

Every Aventador comes with Lamborghini’s 6.5-liter V12 engine. The 6498cc motor does without turbo- or supercharging, relying instead on capacity for its prodigious power output that can range up to 770 hp in the SVJ model.

This is only Lamborghini’s second V12 engine design, the first used in the 350GT and it lasted all the way into the Murcielago. The Aventador’s 60-degree V12 was all-new for this model and is known by its codename, L539. It uses a different firing order to the original Giotto Bizzarrini-designed unit, but the newer motor can rev more freely and has variable valve timing.

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (6.75-liters)

Rolls-Royce’s L Series V8 made its first appearance as a 6230cc engine in the Silver Cloud II of 1959 . This increased in 1968 to 6750cc and has remained the same ever since, with the engine still in production today in Bentley’s Mulsanne . It’s estimated this engine has powered 70% of Rolls-Royce cars ever made.

The secret to this engine’s long life was it started out very under-stressed and has been gradually increased in power over time, with the help of turbocharging from 1982-on in most Bentley models. The all-aluminum motor was deliberately designed to fit in the long, narrow bay of the Cloud II, which is why the motor’s ‘V’ between each bank of cylinders is so deep.

Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 (6.8-liters)

Ignore the 6.9 in the title of this Mercedes Q-car sedan, its M100 V8 displaced 6.8-liters. It was still the biggest engine available in any car the from the German manufacturer at the time and cramming it into the S-Class sedan was an inspired decision. To maintain the S-Class’ reputation for unburstable reliability, each 6.8-liter V8 was bench-tested for four and a half hours before being installed in the car.

The engine block was iron, but the cylinder heads were aluminum and used sodium-filled valves. There was also Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection , which was very unusual for the time, and it helped the M100 produce 290 hp . It also generated 405 lb-ft of torque, which made the 450SEL 6.9 capable of 140mph and endeared it to 7380 buyers when new.

Lister Storm (7.0-liters)

The Jaguar V12 that was first offered in the E-type in 1971 with 272bhp finally peaked with the Lister Storm in 1993. By then, Lister had grown the engine to 7.0-liters for use in its road and race cars , which competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours .

To get to 7.0-liters, the engine had its bore and stroke increased, with the road cars delivering 554 hp . This made them capable of 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds . Well regarded for its performance, handing and rev-happy engine, the Storm faltered on its £220,000 (around $400,000 at the time) list price and only four road cars were ever built.

Plymouth Barracuda (7.2-liters)

In the battle for muscle car bragging rights, Plymouth outdid all of its rivals with the arrival of its 440 Super Commando V8. This 7.2-liter motor was bigger than any other car of this class in period and made it very quick on the drag strip even in standard form.

All of this came at a price, however. The big block motor filled the engine bay so completely there was no room for much-needed power steering . Nor was there space for a brake servo to help stop the Barracuda. Still, 375 hp was more than enough to tempt plenty of buyers who wanted the biggest and fastest muscle car on offer.

Dodge Charger R/T (7.2-liters)

Dodge first fitted the 440cu in (7.2-liter) big block V8 to the Charger in 1967 as an option in the original series. Called the Magnum , it gave 375bhp with a single 4-barrel carburetor and the engine was known as a ‘ wedge’ motor because of its wedge-shaped combustion chambers.

When the second-generation Charger arrived, so did the R/T, which stood for Road/Track. It used the 7.2-liter engine as standard and customers could opt for the smaller 426 Hemi V8 (7.0-liter). Although smaller in size, the 426 had more power as it delivered 425 hp out of the factory to make it the quicker car.

Aston Martin One-77 (7.3-liters)

Given its rarity and £1.4 million price tag when new, it’s understandable Aston Martin went all out with the One-77 and its V12 engine. The engine mounts are machined from solid billets of aluminum and the 7.3-liter motor itself was handed over to Cosworth to develop and build. Their brief was to create a motor with at least 700bhp and an all-up weight 10 per cent lower than the standard V12 it was based on.

Cosworth came up trumps with 760 hp and shed 15 per cent of the weight by ditching the standard unit’s shrunk-in cylinder liners in favor of a spray-on coating for the bores. Compared to a DBS, the One-77’s engine had variable valve timing and is also positioned further back and a whole 4 inches lower in the chassis for better weight distribution and handling. It also gained a rear-mounted gearbox for the same reason.

Pagani Zonda S (7.3-liters)

Pagani has sourced its engines from Mercedes-AMG since the beginning and the biggest of the lot is the M297 V12 in 7.3-liter capacity. This is a development of Mercedes M120 V12, which arrived in the early 1990s and was the motor used in the top of the range S- and SL-Class models. Pagani wanted a lot more and got it with this engine when it delivered 555 hp for the S and Roadster models in 2002.

The ante was upped for the 7.3-liter V12 when it grew to 650 hp for the Zonda F Clubsport and the 678 hp for the Cinque models. Yet Mercedes-AMG was far from done and increased power again to 800 hp for the HP Barchetta in 2017. All of this from an engine that started out with 400 hp in 1992.

Lincoln Continental (7.6-liters)

Lincoln’s 1961 fourth-generation Continental was smaller than its predecessor but heavier and this meant a bigger engine was needed. To do this, Ford extended its 7.0-liter V8 to 7.6-liters in 1966, creating the biggest  car engine the Blue Oval had ever produced up to this time.

However, the 7.6-liter engine enjoyed only a brief life in the Continental and was replaced by the all-new and slightly smaller capacity 7.5-liter 385-series V8. Even so, the 7.6-liter unit that was built at Ford’s Lima plant in Ohio remains the most sought-after by classic car fans for its rarity and appeal as the grandest engine used in the Continental.

Rolls-Royce Phantom II (7.7-liters)

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II was the pinnacle of luxury motoring at the start of the 1930s and came with an equally regal engine. The 7.6-liter straight-six might not have had the cylinder count of the later but smaller capacity Phantom III’s 7.3-liter V12, but it was an impressively smooth , refined engine befitting of this car and its clientele.

To achieve such smooth running, the engine had seven main bearings and also featured a one-piece cylinder head cast in aluminum. Dual ignition was standard practice for this model thanks to Rolls-Royce’s aero -engine experience and desire for reliability. For those choosing the Continental model, racier camshafts were an option to increase power, though the factory never disclosed outputs for either version of the motor.

Bentley 8-Litre (8.0-liters)

The Bentley 8-Litre was the hypercar of its time in the early 1930s. It earned this position not only because a mere 100 were built, but because its huge 7982cc six-cylinder engine was so far removed from those motors used in most mainstream cars.

Everything about this engine was of the highest grade, so the iron block was made in a single piece with non-detachable cylinder head for strength. The crankcase was formed from Elektron magnesium alloy and there were four valves per cylinder. Twin spark ignition came courtesy of a coil and magneto, while the engine had rubber mounts that were unusual for the period. Even more out of the ordinary was the 8-Litre’s 220 hp power that made it one of the most powerful road cars available in 1931.

Bugatti Veyron (8.0-liters)

An engineering tour de force, at the heart of the Bugatti Veyron and its enormous top speed was the 8.0-liter W16 engine. The engine’s basic design came from two narrow angle V8 engines joined to a common crankshaft. This gave the unusual ‘W’ configuration and the 1000 hp needed to propel the Veyron to 253mph .

With 64 valves, four turbochargers and a DSG dual-clutch gearbox, the Veyron was as technically advanced as its engine was large in size. This required a total of 10 radiators to keep the engine at its optimum operating temperature, including three each for the engine and turbos.

Chevrolet Suburban (8.1-liters)

When you have one of the biggest SUVs to haul around, a big engine is a must and the Chevrolet Suburban has been no stranger to large motors. The biggest of all is the 8.1-liter Vortec V8, or L18 in Chevy-speak, with 340 hp and only offered in the weightier 2500HD and 3500HD models.

During its six-year lifespan that started in 2001, Chevrolet also used this 8.1-liter engine in marine applications and to power a number of large motorhomes thanks to its prodigious torque of 440lb ft from low revs. However, fuel economy concerns killed it off when the 10 th generation Suburban arrived in 2007.

Cadillac Eldorado (8.2-liters)

The Eldorado arrived in Cadillac’s brochure in 1953 and engine capacity steadily grew as it progressed into the 1960s. It reached its zenith in 1970 with the 500cu in (8.2-liter) V8 that produced a relatively lazy 406 hp . This capacity was achieved by using a different crankshaft to increase the V8’s stroke.

This big block V8 then suffered at the hands of 1970s emissions regulations as it was gradually strangled in power to 370 hp and eventually to a measly 193 hp in 1976. Buyers could choose optional electronic fuel injection to boost power back to 218 hp, but its heyday was over.

Dodge Ram (8.3-liters)

Marrying a pick-up truck and the 8.3-liter V10 motor from a sports car might sound like a shotgun wedding, but nobody seemed to mind at Dodge. At a stroke, it created the Ram SRT-10 complete with engine from the Viper. Fittingly for a pick-up, the engine was remarkably simple with only two valves per cylinder and naturally aspirated, so no turbos here.

When it arrived in 2004, the Ram SRT-10 caused a storm as it had over 500 hp on tap and could 154mph flat out. Use the engine’s full potential and it could also cover 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds if you stuck with the lighter regular cab model. This shorter cab version came with a six-speed manual as standard, but the five-seat Quad Cab model had a four-speed auto transmission as its only option.

Dodge Viper (8.4-liter)

There was nothing subtle about the Dodge Viper, so it’s no surprise its V10 engine grew from 8.0-liters to 8.4-liters by the time that fourth-generation version arrived. This development of the V10 used variable valve timing, which was a first for a pushrod engine. It helped to free up 600 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. By the time the final VX model arrived in 2015, the Viper boasted 654 hp .

An even more powerful version of the 8.4-liter unit was used in GT3 racing, producing 689 hp , though this was pegged back to nearer 600 hp in come series. The engine proved very reliable as was under-stressed even in race tune and helped the Viper win several races and championships.

Bugatti Royale (12.7-Liter)

Everything about the Type 41 Bugatti Royale was big, with the exception of its production number that totaled just six cars. The 12.7-liter engine was derived from a design originally penned for the French Air Ministry but never used, so Bugatti repurposed it for its ultimate luxury car.

The straight-eight motor came with three valves per cylinder and produced some 300 hp . However, these valves needed regularly regrinding and that was an engine out job, making the Royale even more expensive to own for its extremely wealthy owners. The engine drove through a three-speed gearbox that was mounted in the center of the chassis and, depending on the coachwork fitted, the Royale could top 100mph .

Cadillac Sixteen Concept (13.6-liters)

Cadillac went right back to the glitz of its 1920s past for the Sixteen Concept of 2003. On looks alone, it grabbed plenty of attention, but what lay under the hood was the real star attraction. Here was a 13.6-liter V16 engine that was essentially a brace of LS V8s fused together. No official power figures were ever offered, but it’s reckoned the V16 was good for 1000 hp . Not bad for a car weighing 4994 lb .

The 32-valve motor sent its power to the rear wheels via four-speed automatic gearbox and came with Cadillac’s Active Fuel Management that could shut down eight or 12 cylinders to save fuel depending on the load on the engine.

Napier-Railton (23.9-liters)

The Napier-Railton hails from an era when more power meant going bigger, so it employed a 23.9-liter Napier Lion aero engine to achieve a 24-hour record of 150.6mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1936. With a reputed 594 hp at just 2500rpm, the 12-cylinder Lion engine had three banks of four cylinders in a ‘broad arrow’ configuration. This made it more compact and it also used other aero industry features such as dual ignition.

To keep the engine fueled, a 65-liter tank sat right behind the driver to deal with the car’s 5mpg thirst. After the Second World War, the Napier-Railton found a second life testing aircraft braking parachutes at high speeds.

The Beast (27.0-liters)

John Dodd was not your average Rolls-Royce owner and his Beast excited as many people as it upset . With distinctly 1970s styling, its huge hood was needed to cover the 27-liter Merlin aero engine that was mounted backwards from its original use so drive was directed to the rear wheels rather than forwards to a propeller .

When Dodd completed the car, Rolls-Royce took exception to his use of the famous fluted radiator grille, but this only served to get the car more attention. Not that it needed much help when Merlin engine made it the most powerful road car ever at the time. Even when it had been stripped of its superchargers, it was claimed to make over 1000 hp and Dodd reckoned he’d driven it at 185mph with more to come.

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Most Expensive Cars in the World: Top 25

From the rolls-royce boat tail to multiple hypercars by bugatti, these are the most expensive cars in the world..

At duPont REGISTRY, our knowledge of luxury automobiles is unmatched. Over time, we’ve seen stunning vehicles, both old and new, emerge from the world of luxury car manufacturing and, with them, similarly stupefying price tags, ostensibly in keeping with the perfection of design and engineering that accompanied them. In light of this, we’ve put together what is quite possibly the most rigorous selection out there that features the 25 most expensive cars in the world, going strictly by their original market prices and not by the tens of millions that many of them bring in at the auction block or in private sales.

Our list includes some of the world’s best-known and most desirable carmakers, makers at the top of their game. From Ferrari’s engineering to Bugatti’s technology, Koenigsegg’s design to Rolls-Royce’s luxury, and Pagani’s art, these brands represent the pinnacle of road cars in terms of luxury and performance. These brands have defined luxury and exclusivity for many years, and their vehicles have set the benchmark for what is possible in luxury cars.

The most expensive car ever sold in the world is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for $142 million in 2022 through RM Sotheby’s. The sale was completed on behalf of Mercedes-Benz during a very special auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

The most expensive new production car would have to be the Rolls-Royce Droptail, which has an estimated price of over $30 million. This is what prompted us to make this the cover car for our November 2023 issue.

No, and with the most expensive car in the world being the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé with a sale price of $142 million, we’re far from a car hitting that mark.

What’s the most expensive car in the world? Just search this page, which compiles all current list holders for this record: a collection that almost certainly includes the latest cars to incite such fantasies, expanding the parameters of opulence and price for automobiles sold today. You will find the most expensive vehicle in the world right on this page. While these aren’t the fastest 0 to 60 mph cars in the world or the cars with the fastest quarter mile times , there are some insanely quick cars, as well as some that take opulence to another level.

Scroll down now to immerse yourself fully in an exclusive journey through ultimate automotive extravagance!

25. Ferrari F60 America: $2.6 million

The F12berlinetta-based F60 America was a Ferrari built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ferrari’s U.S. operations. It was released on 10/10/14, and with only ten examples produced, it did so quite auspiciously. With an open-top, a V12 good for 730 horsepower, and a gorgeous blue color scheme reminiscent of the historical NART livery, what more could an American Ferrari lover want?

24. Aston Martin Valkyrie: $2.6 million

Like Mercedes-AMG did with the One, Aston Martin poured all their Formula One knowledge, experience, and engineering talent into the Valkyrie, and what resulted is a truly formidable car that looks the part as well. A Cosworth-developed V12 is matched by exterior design and stance that makes the Valkyrie look like it could pounce at any moment, and it can.

23. Ferrari LaFerrari FXX-K Evo: $2.7 million

We thought that Ferrari pushed its limits with the LaFerrari , being a hybrid hypercar in the Holy Trinity, but when they turned the LaFerrari into the track-only FXX-K, we were proved wrong. Only 40 units were produced, and all are kept by Ferrari to let their owners drive for track day events, which is a good thing because only Ferrari could keep a 1,036 horsepower car capable of 217 mph truly safe.

22. Koenigsegg Jesko: $2.8 million

Anyone with the privilege of opening the “dihedral synchro-helix” doors of a Koenigsegg knows that something incredibly powerful (and costly) lies inside. This couldn’t be truer than in the case of the Jesko, as it seems that with each passing year, Koenigsegg’s capabilities get even more outlandish and unprecedented. With up to 1,603 horsepower, a top speed that we don’t even know yet, and creature comforts like power-adjustable seats and Apple CarPlay, the Jesko might be the best Koenigsegg yet.

21. Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio: $3 million

A tribute to design house Pininfarina’s late former chairman, Sergio Pininfarina, this 458-based Barchetta is a beautiful tribute to the spirits of both Ferrari and Pininfarina alike. Pininfarina’s signature sweeping lines make the car into an ultra-futuristic, sculpted, and serene vehicle, with design elements that echo the iconic Ferrari Pininfarina Mythos concept of the 90s. Such an artful statement is surely worth its price.

20. Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport: $3.3 million

Bugatti calls it “the purest Bugatti Chiron ever.” Substantial improvements in the chassis, gearbox, and engine back that claim up. For the onlooker, styling cues like the number on the grille echo Bugatti’s rich and proud racing heritage. If you want a Bugatti that strives to achieve the pinnacle of driving experience, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is likely your best bet.

19. Mansory Vivere Bugatti Veyron: $3.4 million

Mansory is a German coachbuilder known for making some of the most exciting, rare, luxurious, and expensive cars we’ve ever seen. One of their greatest efforts is the Vivere Bugatti Veyron , which is a modified Veyron that features a signature “V” design throughout and an impossibly classic black-and-white color scheme. Few cars match its price, but even fewer match its level of sophistication.

18. W Motors Lykan Hypersport: $3.4 million

This car became quite notorious when it was seen skyscraper-hopping in Fast and Furious 7, but the Lykan Hypersport is a notorious exotic car in itself. Having doors that are somehow both suicide and scissor doors, holographic interior display, and literal diamonds in the headlights, W Motors didn’t even need a movie to get people talking about the Lykan.

17. Pagani Huayra Roadster BC: $3.5 million

It is meant to be the last Pagani Huayra , and that’s no surprise because it’s a car fit for a grand finale. Only 40 examples exist, and they are as gorgeous as they are powerful. A bright silver, black, and red color scheme with tan leather seats and a distinctive wood shift knob give the car the elegant, sporty look that only the best in the automotive world can offer. A removable carbon-fiber hardtop that makes the Roadster only 66 pounds heavier than it’s coupe counterpart adds bite to the Huayra BC Roadster’s bark, doing the model justice as it bows out.

16. Lamborghini Sian: $3.6 million

The Sian is Lamborghini’s most innovative effort yet, with a hybrid system that uses lithium-ion supercapacitors to its advantage, making for a hybrid that doesn’t compromise weight for immense power. Drivers can expect 819 horsepower, 2.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, and a top speed of over 220 mph. And with design inspiration coming from the Countach, even at a glance, the Sian is unmistakably iconic.

15. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ and Chiron Super Sport: $3.9 million

It’s human nature to try to improve, to test the limits of whatever is in front of you. But nobody has done that quite like Bugatti for the past 15 or so years. They changed the world when the Veyron was found to be capable of 253 mph, and now they are changing the world again because the Chiron Super Sport 300+ can speed above 300 miles per hour. The price can easily be justified for the chance to travel at that velocity alone.

14. Lamborghini Veneno: $4.5 milion

The Lamborghini, packed full of incredible innovation and stirring design, is surely worth all the hype and all the money, not least because it was a clear symbol to the world that Lamborghini had entered a new era. Squeezing 740 brake horsepower out of the Aventador’s V12 was the first part of the equation, with an entirely new but still very Lamborghini body design that was optimized for cooling and aerodynamics to follow. The Veneno was and is one of Lamborghini’s greatest icons.

13. Bugatti Bolide: $4.6 milion

The Bugatti Bolide is what happens when one of the world’s most historic automakers goes all out for the sake of performance. When it was first revealed, Bugatti had planned for this hypercar only to be a study project, but later on, they decided on a production run of 40 Bolide examples. The Bugatti Bolide is such a special car, in fact, that it was duPont REGISTRY’s November 2021 cover car. Each of these examples comes with a price tag of our million euros, or around $4.6 million USD.

12. Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita: $4.8 million

The name “Trevita” is Swedish for “three whites,” which is what describes the Trevita’s completely unique and gorgeous finish. For this car, Koenigsegg developed a completely unique carbon fiber diamond weave to create its look. Because of how difficult this process was, only two Trevitas ended up being made, one of which was entrusted to Floyd Mayweather. It takes quite the car to justify that price, and the CCXR Trevita does the job.

11. Bugatti W16 Mistral: $5 million

The new Mistral will be the last of the W16-powered Bugatti road-going models, marking an end to an era. Because of this, the Bugatti W16 Mistral will certainly be a collector’s car for decades to come. For those who got in early and purchased one of the 99 examples planned in the production run, the starting price was set at just over $5 million. It should be noted that all of those 99 examples were already sold when the Mistral was revealed in August 2022.

10. Pagani Huayra Imola: $5.4 million

The Huayra Imola is a car entirely dedicated to speed. Pagani even developed a special paint to finish the car in that saved 11 pounds of weight, achieving a dry weight of just 2,747 pounds. Combine that with 827 horsepower, and you end up with a car that is just about as formidable, unique, and extravagant as anything can get on the road.

9. Bugatti Divo: $5.9 million

As if Bugatti’s offerings weren’t serious enough, the Divo is just about as serious as any of their cars have ever gotten. While Bugattis are known for being cars that reach incredible speed in a straight line, the Bugatti Divo is also meant to dominate in the corners. And with an elongated, more aerodynamic body, increased downforce, and 1.6 Gs of lateral acceleration, that’s exactly what it does. With Bugatti always being at the forefront of performance, we had no clue that things could take a turn for the better.

8. Pagani Huayra Codalunga: $7.4 million

Just five examples of the new Pagani Huayra Codalunga will be created, so seeing one of the world’s most expensive cars out on the road will be a rare event. This new model was created to be a tribute to the racing cars of the 1960s that were defined by the shapes created by the classic Italian coachbuilders. The most notable exterior feature of the Huayra Codalunga is the Long Tail, which houses a twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 840 horsepower.

7. Bugatti Centodieci: $9 million

The Bugatti Centodieci is an homage to a modern classic: the EB110. The 200+ mph icon of the 90s, combined with Bugatti’s body of work today, can only make for a truly amazing, one-of-a-kind, and inherently expensive car. There will only be 10 of these, which is unfortunate because nostalgia isn’t the only reason the Centodieci is amazing. It improves upon the Chiron, shedding nearly 45 pounds and adding downforce.

6. Bugatti Chiron Profilée: $10.8 million

The Bugatti Chiron Profilée came into the world as a one-off creation that would be the final Chiron to be created featuring the legendary W16 engine. While the Chiron Profilée did not have an MSRP, it was auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s for an astonishing $10.8 million. That was enough to make the Chiron Profilée the most valuable new car ever to be sold at auction. That’s why it deserves to sit on this list.

5. Rolls-Royce Sweptail: $13 million

The Sweptail’s defining feature and namesake is the tapered rear end, which evokes a yacht and the pure pleasure and luxury that only a Rolls-Royce can offer.  With a glass roof that extends from front to back and wood and leather decorating nearly every interior surface, the Sweptail is just like a yacht, but maybe even better; hence, it is priced like one.

4. Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta: $17.5 million

The Pagani Zonda is a car we know to be epic and historic in the world of supercars. Its completely distinct look, formidable Mercedes-Benz 7.3 liter V-12, and outstanding performance have made it a classic and a legend. That makes a car like the HP Barchetta the perfect way to do it justice. As if the Zonda wasn’t eye-catching enough, the HP Barchetta features rear wheels that are partially covered by a carbon fiber panel and a roofless (and almost windshield-less) body design, hence the Barchetta name, making it truly deserving of the title of being one of the most expensive cars of all time.

3. Bugatti La Voiture Noire: $18+ million

This one-of-a-kind Bugatti, known as La Voiture Noire, pays homage to the legendary Type 57 Atlantic from Bugatti’s illustrious past. Designed to capture the Atlantic’s elegance, mystery, and aura, La Voiture Noire represents a contemporary reimagining of what many consider the perfect car. It features distinctive design elements reminiscent of the Atlantic, such as six exhaust tailpipes and a pronounced dorsal seam that runs the length of the vehicle, splitting it down the middle.

La Voiture Noire stands out for its breathtaking design and engineering excellence, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world. Its allure comes from its aesthetic beauty and technical prowess, reflecting Bugatti’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive design and performance.

2. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail: $28 million

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, an exquisite creation by Rolls-Royce Coachbuild, is among the most expensive cars in the world. It draws inspiration from the grace and elegance of nautical design. This automotive marvel is distinguished by its Caleidolegno veneer on the “Aft Deck,” a wrap-around windscreen, and numerous other maritime-inspired details. One of its most notable features is the rear compartment that transforms into a sophisticated hosting suite, perfect for luxurious al fresco dining experiences.

Further enhancing its exclusivity, the Boat Tail includes two custom-made BOVET 1822 reversible timepieces, which can either be worn or mounted on the dashboard as clocks. This level of customization and detail underscores Rolls-Royce’s commitment to unparalleled luxury. The Boat Tail made a significant impact with its debut at the prestigious Concours d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, setting a new standard for bespoke automotive luxury and craftsmanship.

1. Rolls-Royce Droptail: Over $30 million

The title of the world’s most expensive new production car currently belongs to the Rolls-Royce Droptail, a masterpiece of bespoke automotive luxury. Rolls-Royce has introduced this exclusive model with only two examples so far: the Amethyst and La Rose Noire Droptails, each showcasing unique themes and unparalleled craftsmanship. The plan includes crafting four Droptail cars, with each vehicle tailored specifically to the individual preferences and desires of its owner, embodying the pinnacle of personalized luxury.

The Droptail is the spiritual successor to the illustrious Rolls-Royce Boat Tail and the Sweptail, continuing a legacy of ultra-exclusive, coachbuilt automobiles. This model reflects the highest standards of design and engineering and represents a remarkable expression of status and prestige. With its distinct silhouette and exquisite attention to detail, the Droptail sets a new benchmark for luxury, pushing the boundaries of customization in the automotive industry.

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. is a separate legal entity from Rolls-Royce PLC and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group. Based at Goodwood near Chichester in West Sussex, it commenced business on 1st January 2003 as its new global production facility. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars manufactures and sells the worlds pinnacle super-luxury automobiles, including the Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan models. 

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