Uncompromisingly designed and unabashedly exclusive, the best $200,000+ cars offer us a glimpse into the future of the auto industry, showcasing technologies and design elements that might soon make their way onto mainstream dealer lots. Part 2 of 3.
Make: McLaren. Price: 349,500. Available: Now.
Given the above McLaren’s 675 LT Spider is likely to be sold out by the time you read this article, we wanted to have a backup option for you. Luckily McLaren has the mighty 650S Spider. A natural extension of the 12C, the 650S was what everybody wanted from McLaren in the first place.
The 650S badge designation refers to the power output – 650PS (641 bhp). Overall, it is the total packages. McLaren made improvement to handling, transmission, drivability and engagement. 0-60mph is over with in 3.0sec while the 0-100mph time is a blistering 5.7sec. What’s so impressive about the 650S Spider is that it backs its titanic new levels of performance with such a mighty set of brakes and such a well rounded set of responses from its steering, gearbox and suspension that it never feels like it has too much poke for its own good. However fast it can go, it can stop, steer, and change gear every bit as well.
Make: Lamborghini. Price: $267,545. Available: Now.
Lamborghini’s Huracán LP610-4 Spyder uses the same 602-hp 5.2-liter V-10 as the coupe, the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the very same all-wheel-drive system. Lamborghini says the Huracán Spyder’s aluminum and carbon-fiber chassis is 40 percent stiffer in torsion than the old Gallardo droptop (that’s a very good thing).
The Huracán LP610-4 Spyder has the style and presence of the coupe with that much more sound and engagement. It looks incredible from any angle, sounds incredible across the entire rev range and offers more than enough performance to make you feel like you’re truly getting your money’s worth. It accelerates from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 201 mph all while grabbing attention everywhere you go. What else could you ever want?
Make: Ferrari. Price: $320,000. Available: Late 2016.
Dubbed the GTC4 Lusso, this is basically the updated version of the Ferrari FF. The good news is that Ferrari didn’t mess with much. The 6.3-liter V12 carries over but now produces 680 hp and 514 lb-ft. That’s a marked improvement over the existing car. Ferrari clearly spent a lot of time on interior which now is much more luxurious than the FF. The four-wheel-steering system is the same as the one on the F12 tdf and makes the GTC4 Lusso much lighter on it’s feet. On the outside, the FF shape was further refinement a more tapered shape that gives it an almost fastback-like silhouette. If you need four seats and need a Ferrari, this is one to buy.
Make: Ferrari. Price: $280,000. Available: Now.
This is the car we were worried about. After the epic Ferrari 458 we were all on edge when Ferrari told us they were switching to a turbocharged power unit for the 458 replacement. We needn’t have worried because the 488GTB has a magnificent powertrain and a sublime chassis that is the best in its segment. Ferrari could have dropped the ball by turbocharging the 488 GTB, but it has achieved the complete opposite and produced an automotive masterpiece.
Make: Lamborghini. Price:$201,100. Available: Now.
Rarely does Lamborghini do less power, less weight and fewer driven wheels so when they do we pay attention. The Huracán LP580-2 removes the front diff (reducing weight by 73 pounds) and reduces total output from 602 hp to 572 hp. Peak torque falls to 398 lb-ft from 413 lb-ft. This is our favorite Huracan by far and we think it is fantastic to see a road-legal rear-drive Huracán in the lineup. Lamborghini does big power, naturally aspirated monsters better than anybody, but every now and again they show us they can do rear-drive, driver focused cars too.