Meet the cars designed when the creative departments broke through their chains
Rare and limited edition cars are designed to tickle imagination and ignite dreams. Bound by production guidelines, calculations and regulations, engineers and designers often do not have time to stretch their creative wings.
Why are limited edition cars so popular?
Limited edition cars are a special breed of automobiles that are produced in very small numbers, often with unique features or styling cues that distinguish them from their more common counterparts. These cars are often highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and can command a premium price tag.
The allure of limited edition cars stems from their inherent exclusivity and frequently superior power or luxurious features. This same pursuit of sophisticated power and unparalleled refinement fuels the undeniable connection between high-performance automobiles and the luxury yachts, perfectly illustrated by creations like the Rolls Royce Boat Tail, where transportation transcends mere function to become a profound statement.
Notable examples of limited edition cars
So, buckle up, gearheads, and prepare to embark on a journey into the realm of limited edition cars, where exclusivity, innovation, and performance converge to create automotive masterpieces that ignite the imagination and capture the hearts of true enthusiasts.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Concorde
Strictly limited to only ten examples and featuring lavish personalisation via Aston Martin’s bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin, the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Concorde proudly celebrates not only the half century since the iconic luxury passenger jet took to the skies, but also the centenary of one of Concorde’s two flag carrying airline operators: British Airways.
This, of course, is supported by the supreme performance of the DBS Superleggera – the brand’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12-engined Super GT flagship boasting 725 PS, 900 Nm of torque, a top speed of 211mph and blistering acceleration that dispatches 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.4 seconds.
What Makes It Special:
- Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first flight.
- Part of the Aston Martin Wings Series, celebrating aviation.
- Concorde-Inspired Design (Exterior & Interior).
- Limited to 10 examples.
Audi R8 Green Hell
The Audi R8 LMS has notched up five overall victories since 2012 in the 24 Hours on the Nürburgring – the ‘Green Hell’, which is regarded as one of the world’s toughest and most popular endurance races. As a tribute to the great success story, Audi Sport presented a limited special edition of the road sports car – the R8 green hell.
The Audi R8 green hell edition model is numbered consecutively and limited to 50 units worldwide. This exclusive status becomes apparent at first glance. True to the motto ‘Green Hell’ the outer skin is painted standard in dark Tioman green. At the heart of green hell edition model is the Audi R8 V10 performance quattro in its coupé variant. Its sonorous V10 naturally aspirated engine sends 620 PS via the seven-speed S tronic to the four wheels.
What Makes It Special:
- Shares approximately half of its components with the R8 LMS racing car.
- Pays tribute to the legendary victories in the ‘Green Hell.
- Restricted to only 50 units.
- Glorious naturally aspirated V10.
Bentley Batur Convertible
Crafted by Mulliner, Bentley’s renowned in-house bespoke division and the world’s oldest coachbuilder, the Batur Convertible follows the exquisitely handcrafted Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupé. Limited to just 16 individually tailored examples for discerning clients, it features the most potent 750 PS iteration of Bentley’s iconic W12 engine.
Mulliner’s in-house design team will help co-create every Batur Convertible with its customer, working together through a specially created Mulliner visualiser that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish.
What Makes It Special:
- Open-Air Grand Touring Redefined.
- Mulliner’s Modern Convertible Dawn.
- W12 Power Meets Open-Top Glamour.
- Limitless Mulliner Coachbuilding Wonders.
BMW M4 CS Edition VR46
The #46 became 46. To mark the birthday of nine-time motorcycle world champion and current BMW M works driver Valentino Rossi, BMW M prepared the perfect present: the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46. It was available in two characteristic design variants. ‘Il Dottore’ himself was personally involved in the design process behind the two versions, both of which were limited to 46 cars.
The BMW M4 CS Edition VR46’s core is a track-bred, high-revving 3.0-litre inline-six with M TwinPower Turbo. Tuned with increased turbo pressure (2.1 bar) and specific engine management, it now delivers 550 hp (405 kW). This power, managed by the smart M xDrive and active M differential via an eight-speed M Steptronic, enables a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 11.1 seconds, and a top speed of 302 km/h (with standard M Driver’s Package).
What Makes It Special:
- Rossi’s Direct Design Input.
- Exclusive Color Choices.
- Hand-Painted ’46’ & Autographed Roof.
- Track-Focused Engineering.
Bugatti La Voiture Noire
The exclusive Bugatti Voiture Noire, the black car, is a reminiscence of la Voiture Noire a Type 57 SC Atlantic that was Jean Bugatti’s most famous creation. This is a modern interpretation of the spirit of gran turismo vehicles, a tribute to perfect technology and perfect design. It is also the most elegant and fastest way to travel with a vehicle.
This is a coupé with the comfort of a luxury limousine and the power of a hyper sports car. In its exclusiveness, style, quality and performance, Voiture Noire is an unprecedented and unique car that continues a long tradition in the history of the automobile. This is a tailor-made creation only comparable with the haute couture of exclusive Paris fashion designers.
What Makes It Special:
- Bespoke Automotive Art.
- A one-of-a-kind homage to the long-lost Type 57 SC Atlantic.
- 1,500 PS from an Iconic 16-Cylinder Heart.
- Design homage to the legendary Atlantic: six exhaust tips.
Ferrari BR20
The BR20 is a two-seater V12 coupé developed on the GTC4Lusso platform, which in terms of its philosophy and styling approach, cleverly references the magnificent Ferrari coupés of the 1950s and 60s, without the slightest hint of nostalgia. Instead, it pulls off the challenging feat of marrying timeless elegance with muscular sportiness, effortlessly incorporating styling themes typical of some of the most iconic 12-cylinders in Ferrari history, including the 410 SA and 500 Superfast.
The BR20’s interior is no less impressive, trimmed in two shades of brown leather and carbon-fibre, an exquisite combination developed according to the client’s indications. The seats are trimmed in dark brown Heritage Testa di Moro leather and sport an exclusive pattern at the front as well as silver cross-stitching.
What Makes It Special:
- Modern dynamism meets classic Ferrari flair (1950s-60s).
- Ultra-Sleek Fastback Silhouette.
- A Sophisticated Interior Defined by Brown Leather and Carbon Fiber.
- Naturally aspirated V12 Symphony.
Lamborghini Sián
Limited to just 63 units, this Lamborghini reinterprets the brand’s iconic DNA for a new era. The Sián harnesses the legendary V12 with unique hybrid technology, delivering the raw emotion and exceptional dynamics of a naturally aspirated Lamborghini while embracing electrification.
Inspired by the iconic Countach, the Sián elevates Lamborghini’s design with sharp lines and aerodynamic grace, creating an unmistakable silhouette. This ‘lightning’ (Sián in Bolognese) achieves speeds over 350 km/h, fueled by an 819 hp V12 engine enhanced with supercapacitor hybrid technology.
What Makes It Special:
- Capturing the Bold Charisma of Lamborghini’s Dream Machines.
- A Symphony of Noise, Sharp Angles, and Raw Power.
- Inside: A Symphony of Italian Craft and Advanced Technology.
- Big V12 Truly Sings.
Mercedes-AMG G 63 Cigarette Edition
The one-of-a-kind Mercedes-AMG G 63 Cigarette Edition offers additional exclusiveness through an outstanding handcrafted individualization executed at the AMG Performance Studio in Affalterbach. It embodies a unique celebration of the ongoing collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing Team by sharing exclusive design finishes and special detailing that can only be found on this specific model.
The interior of the G-Class – for the first time in line with the interior of the boat – features macchiato beige and dark blue two-tone exclusive nappa leather upholstery, as well as an AMG performance steering wheel in carbon fiber with dark blue nappa leather based on the interior of the boat.
What Makes It Special:
- Boxy, Iconic, and Timeless Design.
- Blend of Luxury and Ruggedness.
- A Deep V8 Baritone with AMG signature.
- Unique ‘Cigarette’ Elements.
Pagani Huayra Tricolore
Pagani Automobili commemorated the Frecce Tricolori’s 60th anniversary with the limited-edition (three units) Huayra Tricolore. This tribute to the Italian Air Force Aerobatic Team evoked Aermacchi jet lines, blending aeronautical science and elegant form to further elevate ultra-high-performance car design.
The Huayra Tricolore concentrates aeronautical concepts and technologies engineered for a car. This extensive design and development process meticulously rethought all technical aspects, prioritizing lightness to maximize the 840 HP Pagani V12, a bespoke twin-turbo engine from Mercedes-AMG.
What Makes It Special:
- A design that celebrates every detail of the Aermacchi MB-339A P.A.N.
- The application of state-of-the-art composite materials to achieve maximum performance.
- The highest representation of aviation technology applied to a car: from materials to production processes.
- Limited to three examples only.
Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘One of a Kind’ Pedro Rodríguez
Pedro Rodríguez’s legacy as Mexico’s most successful racing driver, marked by two Formula One Grand Prix wins, a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and four triumphs at the 24 Hours of Daytona, is honored fifty years after his passing with the commissioning of a unique Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘One of a Kind’.
Based on the 911 Turbo S, the ‘One of a Kind’ stands out in iconic Gulf blue with an orange stripe. High-gloss black wheels with an aluminium centre lock and doors bearing a black number two in a white circle further distinguish it. The B-pillar features a unique plaque: a 917 KH silhouette in Mexican flag colors, accompanied by Pedro Rodríguez’s name and signature.
What Makes It Special:
- A Direct Tribute to a Mexican Racing Icon.
- Iconic Gulf Livery Recreation.
- The Turbo S delivers rocket-like performance with surprising everyday usability.
- Gulf-inspired interior: graphite blue leather, bright orange stitching.
Rolls Royce Boat Tail
Inspired by the elegance and bespoke artistry of luxury yachts, automotive masterpieces like the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail beautifully connect the realms of yachting and high-end motoring. Envisioned by extraordinary clients and meticulously crafted by the master artisans of Coachbuild, this singular expression celebrates the owners’ lifelong connection to the sea.
The minimalist interior fascia highlights the bespoke Bovet 1822 timepiece, commissioned for this car. The instrument panel features the elegant Guilloché technique of fine jewelers and watchmakers, while the slim, two-tone steering wheel subtly incorporates the blue theme.
What Makes It Special:
- Rear Inspired by Contemporary J-Class Yacht Form.
- Boat Tail challenges the notion of what a motor car is.
- Pinnacle of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.
- Limited to Just Three Unique Examples.
Step into the VIP lifestyle: Explore our exclusive yachts
Noor II
The 31 meter long luxury yacht San Lorenzo ‘Noor II’ offers flexible accommodation for up to 11 guests in 5 luxurious cabins. A truly avant-garde yacht, Noor’s award-winning asymmetric design is a product of Sanlorenzo’s partnership with American car design guru Chris Bangle, refined by the masterful eye of Zuccon International Projects.
Photos Audi, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Pagani, Porsche & Rolls Royce
