Brands - The most expensive thing you can buy - Interbrand Rankings

So three of my colleagues and I were stranded in the waiting lounge at Heathrow airport on Sunday, waiting for our plane to board. And we were bored. So I showed them my blog and we started talking about the theme. We talked about what the mega rich can buy with all that money and the subject changed to the most expensive stuff in the world. I told them about Updown Court, Lakshmi Mittal’s house and what the prices are on Gulfstreams and Mega Yachts.

Then Charl, our South African colleague raised an interesting point. These tangible luxuries are NOT the most expensive stuff a billionaire can acquire. They are mere fractions in comparison to the most expensive item you can buy: A brand.

The top brands in the world are worth billions. They are merely a design with brand value connected to it: Totally intangible. This made me go and look at the Interbrand ranking list again. I used their rankings in my studies at university and almost forgot what an interesting read it actually is. For that reason, I’m posting the 2006 ranking for you guys. As far as I know, the 2007 rankings have yet to be announced.

Billionaires’ worth are actually in large part comprised of a brand’s worth. Donald Tump’s name is so valuable, that it could sell almost any piece of property. So when they measure his net worth, they factor in what his brand name is worth. This is NOT money in the bank though: He has to sell that brand before he can see it in his bank account.

Interesting, right? These brands can be worth as much as $67 billion. Take Microsoft: And you wonder why Bill Gates is so rich? Take Warren Buffett as an example. He has a stake in Coca-Cola and Budweiser, two of the brands in the top 100. Billionaires get richer, the more people value their brands. Look at Louis Vuitton. Their monogram designs have catapulted them into top 20.

So forget the $200 million mega yacht, the $130 million house and $100 private jet. Or even the $70 million private island. Go and buy a multi-BILLION dollar brand!

The Interband ranking list for 2006. Just see which brand made the top 100.

Rank, Brand $million
1 Coca-Cola 67,000
2 Microsoft 56,926
3 IBM 56,201
4 GE 48,907
5 Intel 32,319
6 Nokia 30,131
7 Toyota 27,941
8 Disney 27,848
9 McDonald’s 27,501
10 Mercedes 21,795
11 Citi 21,458
12 Marlboro 21,350
13 Hewlett-Packard 20,458
14 American Express 19,641
15 BMW 19,617
16 Gillette 19,579
17 Louis Vuitton 17,606
18 Cisco 17,532
19 Honda 17,049
20 Samsung 16,169
21 Merrill Lynch 13,001
22 Pepsi 12,690
23 Nescafé 12,507
24 Google 12,376
25 Dell 12,256
26 Sony 11,695
27 Budweiser 11,662
28 HSBC 11,622
29 Oracle 11,459
30 Ford 11,056
31 Nike 10,897
32 UPS 10,712
33 JPMorgan 10,205
34 SAP 10,007
35 Canon 9,968
36 Morgan Stanley 9,762
37 Goldman Sachs 9,640
38 Pfizer 9,591
39 Apple 9,130
40 Kellogg’s 8,776
41 Ikea 8,763
42 UBS 8,734
43 Novartis 7,880
44 Siemens 7,828
45 Harley-Davidson 7,739
46 Gucci 7,158
47 eBay 6,755
48 Philips 6,730
49 Accenture 6,728
50 MTV 6,627
51 Nintendo 6,559
52 Gap 6,416
53 L’Oreal 6,392
54 Heinz 6,223
55 Yahoo! 6,056
56 Volkswagen 6,032
57 Xerox 5,918
58 Colgate 5,633
59 Wrigley’s 5,449
60 KFC 5,350
61 Chanel 5,156
62 Avon 5,040
63 Nestlé 4,932
64 Kleenex 4,842
65 Amazon.com 4,707
66 Pizza Hut 4,694
67 Danone 4,638
68 Caterpillar 4,580
69 Motorola 4,569
70 Kodak 4,406
71 adidas 4,290
72 Rolex 4,237
73 Zara 4,235
74 Audi 4,165
75 Hyundai 4,078
76 BP 4,010
77 Panasonic 3,977
78 Reuters 3,961
79 Kraft 3,943
80 Porsche 3,927
81 Hermés 3,854
82 Tiffany & Co. 3,819
83 Hennessy 3,576
84 Duracell 3,576
85 ING 3,474
86 Cartier 3,360
87 Moet & Chandon 3,257
88 Johnson & Johnson 3,193
89 Shell 3,173
90 Nissan 3,108
91 Starbucks 3,099
92 Lexus 3,070
93 Smirnoff 3,032
94 LG 3,010
95 Bulgari 2,875
96 Prada 2,874
97 Armani 2,783
98 Burberry 2,783
99 Nivea 2,692
100 Levi’s 2,689

Lakshmi Mittal’s House – The most expensive residential real estate deal ever done.

Earlier we reported about Updown Court, the world’s most expensive house and Donald Trump’s Florida Mansion, the most expensive house in the USA. Although these two mansions have the titles of being the most expensive houses, they still have to be sold. No body has ever paid that much ($139 million and $125 million respectively) for a residential building. Then who was the person that forked over the most amount of money in a residential real estate transaction?

The answer is Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian steel tycoon and the world’s fifth richest billionaire. His London residence at 18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens was bought from Formula One Boss Bernie Ecclestone in 2004 for a staggering $114.89 million (£62.7 million). And for while the house held the Guinness World Record for the world’s most expensive house. The Mittal/ Ecclestone deal still hold the record as the biggest of its kind.

Another interesting fact: Prince Talal Bin Waleed's palace racked up a construction bill of over $200 million when it was build in the late 80’s. But the palace belongs to his country and not to him per se, so his residence cannot be counted as a “private residential house”.

Clive Christian no1 - Most Expensive Perfume in the World

So my girlfriend is my blog's biggest fan, and she loves to alert me of stuff that's relevant as content. So she dragged me into Saks Fifth Avenue the other day to show me the latest fashion trends for all my female readers (She was my editor for the Celebrity Sunglasses and Designer Jeans articles).

I must say she made it intresting for me, but my interest were mst peaked when she showed me a bottle of the world's most expensive production perfume on the market: Clive Christian No1 for Woman. 1oz costs a whopping $2,350!

The perfume consists of a combination of pineapple, plum, mirabelle, white peach rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, orris, carnation, vanilla, benjoin balm, tonka seeds and cedarwood scents. Bottled in a beatiful crystal bottle with a diamond and gold encrusted collar.

So she admitted to me: She would forgive me for almost anything if I buy her this bottle... She got roses from me later that day... :)

Celebrities' Expensive Designer Sunglasses

After my previous post about expensive sunglasses, I though it would be interesting to see what expensive designer sunglasses are popular amongst celebrities. It used to be that celebrities wore big bug-eyed sunglasses to hide from the public when they stepped on the street with their designer jeans, but these days, these big sunglasses are coming back. Pictured is a popular pair from Chanel.

Celebrities’ favorite brands:

• Giorgio Armani
• Christian Dior
• Dolce & Gabbana
• Gucci
• Emporio Armani
• Roberto Cavalli
• John Richmond
• Bvlgari
• Marc Jacobs
• Prada
• Chanel
• Versace
• Tom Ford
• Fendi
• Moss Lipow

Moss Lipow is the maker of the world's most expensive sunglasses.

Above: Kirsten Dunst, Lindsay Lohan and Kate Hudson

Below: Reese Witherspoon

Some of the Most Expensive Pets in the World!

In this week’s entry we take a look at some of the most pets in the world! If you ever thought of owning a pet with a difference, then all you need is a small fortune, since these rare and wonderful animals are much more than just a bundle of fun!

Hyacinth Macaws – $20,000 a pair

Get a feathered friend! Macaws are known for their big personalities, and the Hyacinth Macaw is no different, apart from the fact that they’re super rare and mighty expensive! Being the largest Macaw in the world, the Hyacinth has a wing span of about four feet, and can grow up to 40 inches long, so you might want to get a very large cage. Decorated in beautiful and bright colors, the Hyacinth Macaws can easily be domesticated, but require all the attention they can get from their new flock. That’s you and your family of course!.

Lavender Albino Ball Python - $40,000

Although it looks like one of the most striking snakes in the world, the Lavender Albino Ball Python with its ruby red eyes, and lavender color and bright yellow pattern, is actually quite harmless and one of the rarest and most expensive snakes in the world. The value of the snake is determined by how pretty the colors are, and you could easily dish out over $100,000 for a pair if you were keen on breeding.

Chinese Crested Hairless Dog - up to $5,000

So ugly it’s cute! The Chinese Crested hairless Dog is an entertaining companion, and also one of the rarest breeds in the world! Because they’re hairless, you’ll need to give them extra attention on a sunny day, as they’re well known to get sun burnt. But being hairless is not entirely a bad thing when you’re a dog, since Chinese Crested hairless Dogs are virtually odorless and flea less!

Savannah Cats - up to $10,000

Hybrid, but still in a league of its own! Savannah Cats are a unique breed between exotic African Serval and smaller domestic cats. The breeding process is extremely delicate and presents many difficulties, which is why these felines are so expensive and rare. Keeping these cats is a fun experience, since they’re extremely active and playful.

La Modernista Diamonds – The most expensive pen in the world

$265,000

At $265,000 you’d better be signing a billion dollar merger deal, a multi-million dollar recording contract or sign the register at your wedding to Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor / bachelorette!

The La Modernista Diamonds is a creation of Swiss company Caran d’Arche who made the pen as an ode to the late architect Antonio Gaudi. This one-of-a-kind, rhodium-coated, solid silver pen has an 18-carat gold pen tip and is pave set with 5,072 diamonds and 96 half-cut rubies.

When the lucky owner bought this at Harrods, London in 2002 for $265,000, the masterpiece was given the title of being the most expensive pen in the world!

The Most expensive fakes in the world

In this week’s newsletter we take a look at some of the most expensive fakes in the world. Even though these items are fakes, they still remain extremely valuable and have become rare collectables due to their fame! Come and play spot the real 'McCoy' with us


Most expensive fake coin in the world – $250,000


A Deka or not, it’s still so expensive, it’s priceless. When the Carchemish-hoard, buried in 425 B.C., was discovered it contained more than 3000 coins and also 15 Athenian Dekadrachms. Some of the Dekas came in possession of the Classic Numismatic Group (CNG), a world renowned ancient coin seller. When trying to establish the authenticity of one of the coins, it was revealed that the coin was in fact, a fake. After numerous tests by the International Bureau for the Suppression of Counterfeit Coins to be certain, a ‘condemnation-certificate’ was issued. This awarded the Deka with the title of most expensive fake coin ever!


Most expensive fake wine bottles - Over $100,000 each


A toast to forged wine bottles! In 1985 more than a dozen of vintage wine bottles were found in a walled-up cellar in Paris. Four of the bottles; a 1784 and 1787 Château Lafite, and a 1784 and 1787 Château Branne-Mouton, were bought by a billionaire wine collector in Florida. When the Boston Museum of Fine Arts asked the billionaire wine collector to prove the authenticity of the four bottles, a team of former intelligence agents, wine and glass experts, and even a nuclear physicist, concluded that all the bottles apart from the 1787 Lafite were fakes. This made the bottles the most expensive fake bottles of wine in history.


Most expensive fake painting – Value unknown, estimated to be well over $1 million


A painting with quite a story! Known as one of the most dramatic art scams in history, was the forgery of a Vermeer painting by H. van Meegeren, an average Dutch artist. In 1937 a respectable art historian was approached by a lawyer who claimed to be the trustee of a Dutch family estate, and was asked to take a look at a painting. The art historian quickly disputed its authenticity after a short examination, and labeled it a fake. The scam created such a stir in the art world that its fame has made it one of the most expensive fake paintings today! Apparently this is not the only valuable forgery created by H. van Meegeren.


The Messiah - $20 million


Playing a false note? The most celebrated Stradivarius violin in the world was allegedly found fake, after a conservator of musical instruments at the Metropolitan Museum had a close look at it. Although this was never proved, the American Violin Association hasn’t disapproved the allegations either, generating doubts whether the violin is real or fake. The Messiah is one of the most valuable Stradivarius violins because it has never been used in a performance and still in mint condition. All extremely admiring if it is indeed the real McCoy?

More expensive homes - Donald Trump had to do it

Blog Exclusive:

The most expensive home in the USA

It came as no surprise to me when I heard that the most Expensive Home in the US was owned by Donald Trump. The mogal bought the Florida house as an investment and is selling it of for a price of $125 million. Please watch the video clip of the most expensive house in the USA and judge for yourself if the house is worth that amount. At only $12 million less than Updown court (entry below), you would think that the Trump would have been selling a way more impressive home! But that is purely my opinion. Updown Court has all the extras, but this Florida Home has the view and has the benefit of having the three most important Real Estate value factors: 1) Location; 2) Location and 3) Location.

The Four most expensive homes in the USA

I found this gem, while the copywriters were researching Updown Court. It highlights the four most expensive homes in the USA. All three looks quite impressive, but it's the Portebello Estate in Southern California's Carona Del Mar the excites me. At $75 million, it is the third most expensive home in the US. To me it offers just so much more than any of the other three houses in this clip.

Australia's Best Cribs

The video might not be as professionally done as the previous two, but that takes nothing away from the splendour of the Fabulous Canal Homes Mooloolaba Australia. Just have a look at the clip below!

Updown Court - Most expensive home in the world

In this week’s entry we take a look at the current most expensive home in the world, priced at $139 million! The house is phenomenal and if you ever dreamt of living in a palace or castle, then Updown Court will amaze you with every square foot….


Updown Court – $139 million

The epitome of luxury! Updown Court is situated only 25 miles from London, and through a pair of large sophisticated iron gates, one can see a palatial construction of immense scale and beauty. The main house consists of four floors; each with its own magnificence. There are also two guest houses which consist of nine bedroom/bathroom suites in total, a security lodge located next to the main house, as well as an underground garage with enough space for a small collection of luxury cars. On a heated marble driveway, one can take a ride up to the house, where a creation with 22 bedrooms awaits you.

First impressions last! When you first open the doors to the main house, marble floors stretch from wall to wall, with staircases leading you to a world of luxury. The house has over 100 rooms, with 58 acres of open space to poise its elegance. Some of the surrounding neighbors include Elton John and also the duchess of York, but its Updown Court and its décor, such as the gold foil floor in one of the rooms, which stands out from the crowd. Updown Court is also known for the high level of security it offers. There is the security lodge and gatehouse for 24 hour safety, but it is the walk in safe and windowless “panic suite” with a steel door, which provides residents with the ultimate in security features.

Pools galore! Most people would only settle for one pool, but not when you’re living at Updown Court! There are a total of five swimming pools; two are located in closed areas of the landscaped gardens, and the third outside pool is an “infinity pool” located on the roof, with spectacular views across the countryside. There are a further two indoor pools, one reached by its own private lift, which also has its own sauna, a beauty salon and dressing room. The other, a large pool located in the eastern wing. Most of the pool areas even have their own Jacuzzi as well!

An entertainer’s playground! Updown Court is an entertainer’s best asset, since it hosts an array of spaces that present guests with elegance, relaxation and fun. In the basement there is the squash court, built in a glass box so that spectators can watch. For those up for a challenge, there’s the two lane bowling alley and the snooker room, but it’s the 50-seat cinema with a private bar that truly offers guests the best relaxation and entertainment. For formal evenings, Updown Court has a banqueting hall with two powder rooms…

Most of us will never own a house such as Updown Court, but know that you’ve made it if you ever get invited to an evening for dinner and snooker, at the most expensive home in the world.

Oh, the Rich has such expensive birthdays

This entry is about birthdays, and features the most expensive party, birthday gift and even most expensive cake. Birthdays are really special, so take a look at what some have done to make it even more special…

Most expensive birthday – $27.2 million

The Sultan of Brunei might have turned 60 this year, but his 50th birthday has to be the most memorable of all. After spending millions on caviar and the best champagne, the Sultan had to go one step further and fly in Michael Jackson for three performances that cost him 16 million dollars. Some of the guests included Prince Charles from England, and when you’re inviting royalty to your birthday you might as well host the most expensive birthday party in the world.


Most expensive birthday gifts in 2006 – Beyonce Knowles’s $1 million car

When Beyonce Knowles turned 25, boyfriend Jay-Z wanted to make her feel extra special, and so bought her a 1959 Rolls Royce convertible with an estimated value of $1 million. The car is iconic and a really expensive gift, but when it comes to gifts Mariah Carey’s has to be the most expensive this year. Mariah was preparing to perform in Madison Square Garden, when Prince Azim from Brunei, presented her with a $5.4 million necklace and matching ring.


Most expensive cake – $1.65 million

Delicious diamonds! Taking six months to create, this fruit filled cake is the proud work of an experienced Tokyo chef. Covered in 223 diamonds and unique patterns, the outside is a sparkling extraordinaire that will dazzle just about any party. Imagine the surprise on the face of your guests when you enter a room with this cake!


Most expensive birthday card – estimated at $56,000

A former art college secretary arrived at her surprise 70th birthday party, and found something more surprising than she could ask for. When former student, Damien Hirst sent her a birthday card, he tried to make the occasion extra special by sending one of his ‘dotted’ paintings instead. On the painting he wrote her a special message, and the painting is thought to be the most expensive birthday card in the world.

Sunglasses of the rich - From Expensive to weird

Hi, since summer is a time of fun and excitement, why not embrace the sun and hit the beach with the best summer accessory…sunglasses. This week’s newsletter brings you a look at sunglasses that will make your summer a more pleasant adventure, and at the same time make you look and feel like a million dollars.

Moss Lipow – 3800 dollars, Ostrich and alligator sunglasses

Sunglasses from the Moss Lipow collection

After an extensive search for a picture of the most expensive sunglasses in America, we gave up only to discover that these sunglasses are just as rare, as they are expensive. Moss Lipow, who’s a designer that designs with attitude, believes that sunglasses should be an extension of your individuality, created a unique pair of ostrich and alligator frames that stirred the fashion world this year. Imagine being one of the few people wearing a pair of frames so unique, so original, but also an individual expression in every way? We wish we could provide you with a picture, since these glasses sound remarkable...and truly defies the norm.

Fendi - 1300 dollars

Sharon Stones Bulgari Frames




Jessica Alba’s Dior Frame

Fendi is an iconic designer label, and the Italians certainly know how to create a fashion statement. If you’re looking to follow the trends, then this style of frames is in season this summer. Sharon Stone got herself a pair of Bulgari Swarovski sunglasses for about 400 dollars, which are hand made and hand painted. Another celebrity that has opted for more trendy frames is Jessica Alba, who went with Christian Dior frames at 450 dollars. Whatever style you’re looking for, there is something for everyone this summer and like the stars, you can too create your own individual look.

Louis Vuitton - Millionaire sunglasses at 1000 dollars

Are you a millionaire in the making? In collaboration with Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs, Pharrel Williams from The Neptunes and Bathing Ape designer, Nigo, have created the most sought after sunglasses this summer. Millionaire sunglasses are clearly inspired by early gangster films, and celebrities are lining up to snatch a pair of what’s soon becoming, the latest fashion trend. Their a timeless classic and Louis Vuitton is certainly on the right frame with these vintage style sunglasses.


Moss Lipow- Price unavailable

Since Moss Lipow believes that sunglasses should be an extension of your individuality, we thought we’d add these frames as well. Their extremely eccentric and add a creative twist. Moss Lipow is sure to be one of the most expressive designers in the industry, and those that seek their own individual look can certainly count on him to provide you with something extraordinary.

Soccer: Class, flair and money…

When it comes to class, flair and elegance nothing captures more skill than the game of Soccer. And with the 2006 Soccer World Cup just around the corner, spectators across the globe are already waiting in anticipation to watch the biggest tournament in the beautiful game.

Living a life of luxury and glamour you’d sure want to earn a professional soccer players salary. So this week we take a look at some of the greatest stars in the 2006 Soccer World Cup and what they’re worth when it comes to salaries and transfer fees. You too could earn a healthy some of wealth with Golden Riviera…all you need to do is play!


David Beckham - Paid 32 Million dollars a year!

David Beckham is the most marketable professional soccer player and earns 13.7 million dollars a year just from advertising endorsements alone. When the midfielder transferred from Manchester United (England) to Real Madrid (Spain) in 2003, the fees reached an astounding 32.5 million dollars. A weekend after Beckham’s signing; his Real Madrid football shirt sales went through the roof, providing the club with so much profit that the amount made from sales covered all Beckham’s transfer fees. Millions of British fans will be hoping for Beckham to conquer the world in this year’s World Cup with his brilliant ability to curve the ball from any angle into any direction.

Ronaldo – Paid 23 Million dollars a year!



His been nicknames “The Phenomenon” and elegantly presents the pitch with speed and a vigorous scoring instinct. When Ronaldo transferred from Inter Milan (Italy) to Real Madrid (Spain) in 2002, the fees reached a massive 53.7 million dollars. He’s been named the FIFA World player of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002. Brazil will be hoping to retain the title in this year’s tournament, depending on the performance of their No.1 striker.

Zinedine Zidane - Paid 21 million dollars a year!

Zidane is often considered to be among the best footballers in the world still playing, and some might argue that Zidane is one of the most talented players of all time. He came back from retirement in 2005; and was reinstated as the captain of the French national team. When Zidane transferred from Juventus (Italy) to Real Madrid (Spain) in 2001, the fees reached a record of 103 million dollars! FIFA also named the midfielder World player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

Ronaldinho - Paid 28.47 million dollars a year!


The attacking midfielder possesses all the flair speed and luck any soccer player could ever wish for. He’s been named the FIFA World player of the year twice as well as European player of the year. When Ronaldinho transferred from Paris SG (France) to Barcelona (Spain) in 2001, the fees reached an unbelievable 40 million dollars. Ronaldinho, the captain of Brazil is definitely one of the players to be watched during the 2006 Soccer World Cup, he’s electrifying display of skill should definitely not to be missed.

The Most Expensive and sought-after Cars in the World, 2006

If a sheer rush of adrenalin is what you’re looking for, then there’s no space for half measures… Especially when living a life of luxury and glamour. When the rich and famous are looking for an exhilarating thrill, they buy a car that screams at every pace. So this week we bring you a look at some of the most mystical and dynamic cars out there. And with Golden Riviera Group, all it takes is that one big jackpot and you too could be driving out in style…all you need to do is play.

Maybach Exelero - Price unknown

Re-writing the laws of design in a sports car is something unthinkable, but not when it comes to the Exelero, Maybach's new soon to be produced Concept. The Exelero combines the elegance of a high-end limousine with the powerful flexibility of a sports coupe’. At a top speed of 218mph you’ll feel the excitement rushing through your body as its powerful V12 engine produces 700hp. The Exelero is a majestic creation emphasizing stream lined design, which roars with elegant splendor.


Aston Martin DB9 - Estimated price: 152-157,000 dollars

Known to be one of the most technically sophisticated sports cars in the world, the Aston Martin looks great, sounds great and stirs the heart. Handcrafted with superb finishes, its graceful styling complements its vigorous V12 engine that can reach 0-62mph in less than 5 seconds. The interior is hand trimmed in luxurious natural materials providing comfort and relaxation whilst enjoying pure excitement. The Aston Martin comes nothing short of its reputation and delivers true passion for those that seek its beauty.


Hummer H2 limousine - Estimated price: around $125,000

If you’d like to impress your company with prestige comfort and class, then the Hummer H2 limousine will impress even the most glamorous of people. Imagine letting someone else do the driving whilst you relax on smooth leather seats with a crystal Champaign flute in your hand. The Hummer H2 Limo comes complete with a state-of-the-art sound system and even though its luxurious interior makes you feel like royalty, the exterior still resembles the vigorous face of a genuine Hummer.


Noble M400 - Estimated Price: around $95,000


With high performance you need high speed composure… which is exactly what the Noble M400 delivers. Through a dynamic mixture of elements, the M400 has been built to propel the driver right into an exhilarating glide of power and control. The heart of the car produces 425hp and mesmerizing enough can reach 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. The interior captures a “race-car” meets “road-car” feel with high-quality black Alcantara trimmings and racing seats, supporting the driver through some breathtaking corners.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - Price: $1,192,057

Famous for being the most ambitious sports car project in history, the most expensive and fastest car on the market, the Veyron not only possesses the fury of a 1,001 hp V8 engine, but also a price tag that demands respect from every sports car enthusiast. It is a jaw dropping creature that can reach speeds of up to 250+mph, but the most impressive would be that the Veyron does 0-60mph in just 3 exhilarating seconds. The Bugatti is utterly stunning and a specialist in speed cuisine that provides an instant adrenalin rush through every turn and stretch. The Veyron’s 16-cylinder monster engine produces 1001 horsepower for a top speed of over 250 mph. Its stylish looks are to be admired – if you are quick enough to catch a glimpse of it, that is.

Pagani Zonda Roadster F - Price: $667,321

Not just a pretty face, the Zonda Roadster F by Pagani – the boutique automaker responsible for radical-looking race cars – offers its drivers 0-100 kilometers per hour in just 3.6 seconds.

SSC Ultimate Aero - Price: $654,500

The Ultimate Aero uses a heavily modified 1,046-hp Corvette engine fed by a supercharger. It's supported in a steel space frame and covered by a carbon fiber body, which comes in handy when you’re reaching top speeds of 260 mph.

Leblanc Mirabeau - Price: $645,084

With its V8 Supercharged engine, a power output of over 700 hp, and a top speed of 230 mph, this new supercar from Leblanc really belongs on the racetrack, but can be expected to hit the streets before the end of the year.

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - Price: $555,000

For just over half a million dollars, the elegant-looking S7 will take you anywhere you want to go in complete style, with its 750-hp V-8 engine that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under three seconds.