Super-Sports Cars Push $400,000 and Top 200 mph
"The most noticeable trend (for 2012) when it comes to exotics is the push toward lighter-weight materials, especially carbon fiber," says Ed Hellwig of industry tracker Edmunds' InsideLine.com. "Most of these cars have used carbon fiber to some degree in the past, but now we're seeing entire cars built out of carbon fiber, which allows them to deliver higher performance with less horsepower."
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Of course, sexy styling and the ability to reach speeds exceeding 200 mph don't come cheap.
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The 2012 Lexus LFA sports car starts at $375,000, while you'll have to pull $379,700 out of your wallet faster than Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes curves if you want to own the new Lamborghini Aventador.
"None of these cars are truly worth their ridiculous prices in terms of their actual performance," Hellwig says. "It's all about the buyer's priorities."
Here's a look at four superluxury 2012s that Hellwig and Dan Roth of AutoBlog.com like, listed in order of price:
Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
This supercar gets a nod from both Hellwig and Roth, who laud its carbon-fiber chassis, seven-speed transmission and 700-horsepower V-12 engine.
Named after a bull lauded for its bravery in a 1993 Spanish bullfight, the Aventador can go from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.9 seconds and travel as fast as 217 mph.
The two-seat sports coupe features "gull-wing" doors that open upward instead outward, giving the car the look of a bird with outstretched wings when the doors are open.
The Aventador also has racing-quality carbon-ceramic brakes, as well as two mufflers that screen out most engine noise while letting a distinct rumble known as the "Lamborghini sound" come through.
"This is easily the most technologically advanced car Lamborghini has ever built," Hellwig says.
Ferrari FF
You'll be the coolest soccer mom or dad ever if you pick Junior up in this $300,000 combination sports car/station wagon.