By Jarryd Neves
It can’t be.
You look again, bewildered by what you’re seeing. Yes, the numbers on your lottery ticket match those on the TV. Suddenly, you’re a millionaire.
Right, so what now? Well, a lot of decisions need to be made. Once the serious things have been taken care of – debt, investments, charity – it’s time to have fun. Of course, choosing between a beach house and a country manor will always be tough. But choosing the ideal car is even tougher.
Here, we look at two cars in four categories, all vying for your newly acquired millions.
The supercars
What nearly everyone says they’ll get when the win they hit the jackpot.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Ah, Ferrari. Perhaps the most evocative name in the motoring industry. The Prancing Horse is instantly recognisable everywhere, even by those who can’t distinguish a Corsa from a Corvette. This, the SF90 Stradale, is the latest flagship from Maranello. However, this one makes do without a V12. A mid-mounted, turbocharged 4,0-litre V8 produces a phenomenal 735 kW of power and 800 Nm of torque.
Of course, the SF90 doesn’t rely on petrol power alone. Three electric motors contribute to the astonishing performance. A first for Ferrari, the SF90 can be plugged in and driven for approximately 24 km on electric power. I’m sure you want to know how quickly it goes. 100 km/h is reached in a dizzying 2,5 seconds. 200 km/h? 6,7 seconds. Still, perhaps the most bewildering figure is the price tag – R10,535,300.
McLaren 765 LT
The LT is essentially a lightened, more track-focused variant of the regular 720S. The Ferrari rival from Woking weighs just 1339 kg, making it lighter than a Toyota Corolla. Like the Ferrari, the McLaren is also fitted with a turbocharged 4,0-litre V8, but doesn’t utilise the hybrid trickery of the SF90. The power plant is good for 563 kW and 800 Nm of torque. While not as quick as the Ferrari from 0-100 km/h, 2,8 seconds is nothing to scoff at.
Not impressive enough? Well, the top speed should remedy that – 330 km/h. The price for the 765 LT is currently not listed.
The grand tourers
You like the idea of owning a supercar, but they’re just too impractical for your lifestyle. Enter the grand tourer.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
The DBS Superleggera can be seen as the gentleman’s supercar. Svelte, sleek and exceptionally classy, the DBS from Aston Martin blends rapid performance with exceptional usability. Unlike the Ferrari and McLaren above, the DBS features a 2+2 interior layout and offers up a usable boot – perfect for a quick weekend blast down to the Riviera. While it’s perfectly happy to potter about, a twin-turbo V12 with 534 kW and an immense 900 Nm of torque means it won’t hang about with your right foot nailed to the floor.
A sumptuous, overtly luxurious cabin makes the DBS Superleggera a wonderful place to while away the miles. R5,799,000 gets you behind the wheel.
Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible
If you prefer your motoring al fresco, perhaps the Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible is more up your (Park) avenue. The Continental GT takes a more genteel approach compared to the DBS above. While it retains a sporting streak – after all, Bentley made its name in racing – the V8-powered convertible from Crewe puts an emphasis on comfort and luxury. It’s no slouch, though – a delightful 4,0-litre V8 provides plenty of grunt.
Air suspension keeps the ride composed, while a vast selection of leather, wood and paintwork options make it possible for you to specify the Continental to your exact tastes. A 6,0-litre W12 is available at R4,350,000 but for R300,000 less, the V8 offers better value.
The luxury sedans
Grand tourers are lovely, but you need an extra set of doors and the space that comes with it.
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Few vehicles express wealth quite so effortlessly. Perched upon the stately (but imposing) radiator grille, sits The Spirit of Ecstasy. Some may call her ‘The Flying Lady’, but the infamous symbol for quality and prestige is instantly recognisable across the world. Launched just last year, the second generation Ghost certainly lives up to its name – the eerily silent 6,75-litre V12 wafts the two and a half ton Roller around with ease.
That might have something to do with the 850 Nm of torque available from a remarkably low 1600 rpm. Like the Bentley above, the Rolls-Royce is all about individuality. The craftsmen at Goodwood can make your wildest dreams a reality – be it wood trim from a particular tree or matching the paintwork to your favourite jersey. The list price of the Ghost is currently unlisted in South Africa, but prices start at £208,000 in the UK.
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Very few cars radiate gravitas like the Mercedes S-Class. For nearly 50 years, the S-Class has been at the forefront of the automotive world. Perhaps Jeremy Clarkson summed it up best. ‘In an ordinary car, you motor. In an S-Class, you travel’. The S-Class has always been a glimpse into the future of the motorcar. Previous models have debuted technology we take for granted now – airbags, ABS, parking sensors – and this new one is no different.
For example, the latest version of the Burgermeister’s Benz is capable of level four autonomy, meaning it can go off and find a parking bay by itself. In typical Mercedes fashion, the cabin is a symphony of grandeur and decadence. From a 4D sound system to self closing doors, there is so much that can be enjoyed in the rear seats. Yet to launch in South Africa, the halo car from Mercedes-Benz is expected to arrive locally this year.
The luxury SUVs
The Ghost and S-Class are wonderful. But I need space for my dog, I’m afraid.
Range Rover L SVAutobiography Supercharged
The current generation Range Rover has been with us since 2012. A replacement is around the corner, but the big body Range Rover is still one of the most competent SUVs on the market. A number of powertrain options are available – including a superb 4,4-litre V8 turbodiesel. Sitting at the peak of the model range is the long wheelbase SVAutobiography Supercharged. A fabulous 5,0-litre supercharged V8 sits underneath the lengthy bonnet. 416 kW of power permits this leviathan to propel itself to 100 km/h in 5,5 seconds. The soundtrack is particularly sonorous, but passengers are unaware – the SVAutobiography is superbly refined.
Starting at R4,834,800, Land Rover offers numerous options that can push the price over the R5 million barrier. Opting for Spectral British racing green paintwork, for example, will set you back R286,600. Still, there’s no denying the Range Rover has plenty of presence – and the added ability to go off-road with absolute confidence.
Maserati Levante Trofeo
The Maserati Levante may be a V8-powered SUV, but that’s where the similarities with the Range Rover end. Where the big Brit aims to soothe your brow and cosset you in leather-lined comfort, the Trofeo is supposed to be a treat for the senses. The wondrous 3,8-litre V8 produces 434 kW and 730 Nm of torque, resulting in supercar rivalling performance. This 2170 kg SUV is capable of 0-100 km/h in just 3,9 seconds before running out of steam at 309 km/h.
The Trofeo is one of the ‘cheaper’ options on this list, but at R3,790,000, it’s more expensive than rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jeep. However, it undercuts the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus by a small margin.
Which one would you choose on this list? Or would you prefer something else? Let us know below in the comments.
Read also:
- Electric vehicles in SA: What’s currently available – and what’s coming
- Alternative investments: Attainable classic cars – what to buy and look out for
- 911 GT3 RS: the ultimate evolution, says Miles Downard
