10 most expensive cars in the world in 2024

The most expensive cars in the world are often performance monsters, or luxurious beauties, designed to be an extension of their owners' personalities. Giles Taylor, the famous luxury car designer and the director of the design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, once called the Rolls-Royce Sweptail, a one-of-a-kind on-request model, the “automotive equivalent of Haute Couture”. With hyper-personalisation, precision engineering and cutting-edge technology, these cars embody exclusivity, top-notch luxury, and exceptional performance. From their meticulously crafted interiors that personify aesthetics and comfort, to their stunning exteriors that catch the eye of everyone on the streets, these often-custom-made cars represent the pinnacle of automotive artistry, making them awe-inspiring works of art on wheels.

From the elegant Rolls-Royce Sweptail, to the handcrafted Pagani Zonda, we bring you a list of 10 most expensive cars in the world in 2024. And if you’re a car aficionado like us, read on to find out what makes these cars so exquisite, expensive and desirable!

List of top 10 most expensive cars in the world in 2024:

*$1 = ₹83.58 (as on 25-09-2024)

1. Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail | ₹250 Crores | $30 Million

Touted as the costliest car ever made at a staggering Rs. 250 crores, the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail serves as the British luxury car maker’s tribute to automobile craftsmanship. The client’s matriarch adored the dark red-burgundy Baccara rose, which inspired the car's name.

Apart from its jaw-dropping beauty, what sets this luxury car a class apart is its monocoque chassis. Toping the list of the most expensive catrs in the world, the car was made from a combination of aluminium, steel and carbon fibre – this is a first-in-class for the Coachbuild division. Inspired by the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 'Sluggard,' the La Rose Noire is part of the four-car Droptail series. It boasts many state-of-the-art features, including a custom sound system and a starlight headliner.

This cocoon-shaped roadster features a powerful 6.8-litre V12 twin-turbo engine. It delivers 563 bhp and 840 Nm of torque. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds. Its stunning interior includes over 1,600 handcrafted wooden pieces. Creating this interior took over two years of development and nine months of craftsmanship. This makes it a prized possession for collectors. All-in-all, it took over four years to complete the build of this exquisite masterpiece.

Other variants of the Droptail series include the ‘Amethyst,’ inspired by the owner's son's birthstone. Another variant, the ‘Arcadia,’ draws inspiration from a location in Greek mythology that represents heaven on earth.

Key specifications: Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail

Key features: Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail

• Production is limited to only four examples
• Features Audemars Piguet watch
• Removable carbon-fibre roof panel

2. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail | ₹234 Crores | $28 Million

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, a magnificent feat of nautical inspiration and top-notch craftsmanship, currently has only three produced specimens. It ranks among the top 10 most expensive cars in the world in 2024, priced at a staggering Rs. 234 crores. Personalised and hand-built, this Rolls-Royce masterpiece pays tribute to the client’s reverence for life at sea. It features their preferred oceanic blue color, infused with shimmering crystals.

The Boat Tail’s elegant design draws inspiration from graceful J-class yachts and the 1932 Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. The shimmery oceanic blue finishing gives its exterior a subtle yet vibrant touch.

With innovative features like a sweeping butterfly gesture deck, the Boat Tail reveals an intricate hosting suite. It also includes a personalised timepiece from Bovet 1822, seamlessly merging luxury and functionality. The interior features a double refrigerator to keep the client’s favorite champagne, Armand de Brignac vintage cuvée, at the perfect serving temperature, accompanied by caviar and blinis, a Russian delicacy.

Its technical specifications consist of a two-door convertible/cabriolet design, with a naturally aspirated 12-cylinder front-mounted engine that powers its rear wheels. With a combination of exquisite design and refined power, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail sets the standard for luxury automotive excellence.

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Key specifications: Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

Key features: Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

• Features exquisite Caleidolegno veneer
• Wooden rear deck-inspired by a yacht
• Wearable two-sided timepieces

3. Bugatti La Voiture Noire | ₹156 Crores | $18 Million

The next entry on the list of the most expensive cars in the world is The Bugatti La Voiture Noire. The car was unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, truly embodies the Bugatti name. Inspired by the iconic Type 57 SC Atlantic, it serves as a contemporary counterpart to its classic predecessor. Design Director Achim Anscheidt envisioned this one-off black beauty over 20 years ago, but various factors delayed its creation.

Powered by an 8-litre quad-turbo 16-cylinder engine, the La Voiture Noire delivers around 1,500 hp and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.4 seconds.

The minimalist coupe features a reinterpreted shape with reduced lines and no rear wing. Its exterior showcases striking elements like an exposed backbone, unique front and rear fascias, six exhaust pipes, and an insect-like light pattern. The bodywork combines visible carbon fiber with a clear coat, resulting in a reflection-free finish known as ‘Black Carbon Glossy.’

Not only that, the La Voiture Noire is also a predecessor to the much-touted 2020 Chiron Noire from Bugatti.

Key specifications: Bugatti La Voiture Noire

Key features: Bugatti La Voiture Noire

• Insect-like light pattern
• Custom headlight design
• A single-piece body handcrafted from carbon fibre

4. Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta | ₹142 Crores | $17 Million

The Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta is a wild ride with an impressive 789 bhp, showcasing Pagani's disdain for the ordinary. What makes this expensive car even more special is that there are only three of these beauties!

The first of the three Zonda Barchetta cars was reserved for the company’s founder, Mr. Horacio Pagani, at its 2017 launch at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Barchetta, meaning ‘roofless’ in Italian, reflects the car’s design, similar to the Huayra BC. It features a uniquely designed roof scoop that highlights its roofless nature. The absence of a roof provides a visceral driving experience, while a stunning interior with blue, cream, and tartan accents enhances its charm.

Its beefy brakes and distinct wheels with gold and blue inlay add to its style.

Weighing just 1,250 kg, this stylish drive packs a punch with its powerful v12 engine that delivers 789 bhp and 850 Nm of torque, enabling it to vroom from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.1 seconds!

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Key specifications: Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta

Key features: Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta

• Striking Barchetta style body
• The most powerful road-legal Zonda ever
• Limited production of only three units

5. SP Automotive Chaos | ₹120 Crores | $14 Million

Meet Chaos - the “ultracar” from Greek start-up turned serious-chaos SP Automotive, boasting a staggering 3,000 horsepower. Who would have thought that an adrenaline-inducing car could be 3D printed using materials from aerospace technology? Even the wheels and brakes are made from 3D-printed magnesium. Propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4-litre, 90-degree V10 engine with hybrid assist, it accelerates to 100 km/h in just 1.9 seconds! The monocoque body is constructed from Poly, the world’s strongest man-made fiber, offering strength that surpasses steel and carbon fiber. The ultracar's roof incorporates a unique chemical called SAM2XS-630, resulting in a hard yet elastic structure that resists deformation, even when bent beyond its limits. This strong roof enhanced the structural integrity of the car, making it more robust and enhancing the cabin’s security.

From a 3D-printed steering wheel to carbon fiber seats, the interior was designed to keep the car lightweight while enhancing strength and safety. The high-tech electronics can detect the driver’s stress levels and adjust power output, steering, and traction control accordingly.

For those who want a more modest option, there is also a base model, which offers 2,000 horsepower. Both models feature an all-wheel drive and substantial brake discs for optimal performance. With production limited to 15 to 20 units annually, each car is hand-built with customisable features.

Key specifications: SP Automotive Chaos

Key features: SP Automotive Chaos

• Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre and titanium construction
• Aggressive aerodynamic design for optimal downforce
• Advanced suspension system for precise handling

6. Rolls-Royce Sweptail | ₹108 Crores | $13 Million

Launched in May 2017 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, this masterpiece was the world's most expensive car until Bugatti La Voiture Noire took the title in 2019. Inspired by early 20th-century cars and various vintage and modern yachts, Rolls-Royce developed a sleek bodyline that incorporates the distinctive swept tail.

Built for Hong Kong-based patron Sam Li, the car took four years to craft, blending heritage with innovation. It features an elegant roofline and an uninterrupted glass roof that floods the interior with natural light. The minimalist interior design allows fine materials like ebony and dark spice leather to take center stage.

Technically, the Sweptail qualifies as a full-size luxury car or grand tourer (GT), equipped with a 6.8-litre V12 engine that produces 453 bhp and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds!

Key specifications: Rolls-Royce Sweptail

Key features: Rolls-Royce Sweptail

• GT classification
• Minimalist interior design
• Full-glass roof

7. Bugatti Centodieci | ₹75 Crores | $9 Million

Hand-built in the Molsheim Atelier, the Bugatti Centodieci draws inspiration from the legendary EB110 Supersport, celebrated for its performance and design during the Romano Artioli era. This new sports car pays homage to its predecessor with modern reinterpretations of iconic features.

Distinct styling elements from the EB110, such as the five cooling holes in the B-pillar and quad exhausts, are reimagined in the Centodieci, showcasing Bugatti's commitment to blending heritage with innovation. Aerodynamic enhancements, including a new light signature and enlarged rear diffuser, ensure stability at high speeds.

Utilising the latest technology, the aggressive styling took just six months, leveraging computer-assisted 3D and virtual reality tools. The car features an underbody spoiler and a fixed overhanging rear wing for improved aerodynamics, along with quad matte-black exhaust pipes that produce captivating sounds at various RPMs.

With an impressive 1,578.1 bhp, the Centodieci accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.4 seconds, demonstrating unparalleled speed and agility. This luxury ride is limited to only ten units.

Key specifications: Bugatti Centodieci

Key features: Bugatti Centodieci

• Combination of heritage and modernity
• Impressive 1,578.1 bhp
• Enlarged rear diffuser

8. Mercedes-Maybach Exelero | ₹66 Crores | $8 Million

The Mercedes-Maybach Exelero, a one-off high-performance sports car that debuted at the Tempodrom in Berlin in 2005, was crafted by Stola in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler.

Interestingly, the Exelero was commissioned by Goodyear’s German subsidiary, Fulda, to test the Carat Exelero tyre range, aiming to reach speeds exceeding 350 kmph. The design, influenced by the Maybach SW 38, was refined by students from the Transportation Design School of the Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences.

Powered by a twin-turbo V12 engine which churns out 690 bhp, the motor came from Maybach, which is now a part of Mercedes Benz, the Exelero can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.4 seconds. With alloy wheels, Fulda Carat Exelero tyres, and a striking black exterior complemented by a red leather interior, the Exelero marries old-world luxury with modern-day benchmarks of performance.

The luxurious interior, crafted with dark and red leather and carbon fibre, the Exelero is equipped with sports seats with harness seat belts in red colour.

Notable for its appearances in popular culture and ownership by rapper Birdman before being acquired by Mechatronik, the Maybach Exelero remains an icon in the automotive world, now showcased in an automobile museum in Dietzhölztal, Germany.

Key specifications: Mercedes-Maybach Exelero

Key features: Mercedes-Maybach Exelero

• Fulda Carat Exelero tires
• A classy leather interior
• A panoramic sunroof

9. Pagani Huayra Codalunga | ₹61 Crores | $7 Million

This one’s for the dreamers! In 2022, Pagani unveiled the Huayra Codalunga, a bespoke hypercar paying homage to the sleek lines of Italian race cars of the 1960s, particularly the Porsche 917, which is thought to be Pagani founder Horacio's favourite. Codalunga, which means 'long-tail' in Italian, is a limited edition of five vehicles, and represents a fusion of art and engineering prowess, a hallmark of Pagani's philosophy. It was conceptualised in the division for special projects called the Pagani Grandi Complicazioni. The hypercar was crafted with a special design philosophy in mind to create a long-tail version of the Pagani Huayra Coupe, bringing about aesthetics that would please not only on the road, but at international Concours events as well. Astonishingly, the beautiful and powerful car complies with global regulatory compliances.

Powered by a 6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 from Mercedes-AMG, the Codalunga boasts an astounding 829 bhp and 1,100 Nm of torque. Matched with a single-clutch, and a seven-speed Xtrac automatic transmission, it can reach from 0 to 100 kmph in 2.8 seconds!

Weighing just about 1,280 kg, the Codalunga exemplifies Pagani's commitment to lightweight construction. Its aerodynamic flaps, a hallmark of the Huayra series, enhance agility, thus revolutionising the driving experience and pushing the boundaries of automotive artistry and performance.

Key specifications: Pagani Huayra Codalunga

Key features: Pagani Huayra Codalunga

• Dual headlights and intricately styled rear lights
• Airplane-like toggle switches on dials and consoles
• A white ceramic-coated exhaust system—a first-in-class

10. Bugatti Divo | ₹48 Crores | $5 Million

The last edition of the list of the most expensive cars in the world is the Bugatti Divo. Unveiled in August 2018, the Bugatti Divo pays tribute to Bugatti's rich racing history and the legendary racer Albert Divo. It draws design cues from iconic predecessors like the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic and Vision Gran Turismo concept, embodying track-focused performance with its sleek design.

On the technical front, the Divo features a quad-turbocharged W16 engine, delivering exceptional agility and power. With stiffer springs, reduced weight, and aerodynamic refinements, it offers an extraordinary driving experience, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.4 seconds. Although its top speed is limited to 380 km/h, lower than the Chiron’s 480 km/h, the Divo outpaced the Chiron by nearly 8 seconds at the Mardo test track.

Limited to 40 units, the Divo sold out on its debut day! It has kept auto enthusiasts enthralled ever since, as it continues to set new benchmarks in hypercar performance.

Key specifications: Bugatti Divo

Key features: Bugatti Divo

• A quad-turbocharged W16 engine
• Sleek body
• Light weight

Not merely expensive cars!

In conclusion, the top 10 most expensive cars are not a mere number of lofty price tags! These costly cars epitomise the pinnacle of the automotive industry’s design innovation, performance, and luxury. Needless to say, for the ultra-rich, luxury cars represent an unparalleled fusion of exclusivity and prestige. But beyond being things of beauty, these are technological marvels that push the boundaries of automotive excellence and performance.