The toy of the young: why they fell in love with supercars on the "handle"
In Russia, despite the difficult geopolitical situation, the Bugatti hypercar has been registered for the first time in 13 years. Moreover, we are talking about a limited 99 copies of the W16 Mistral model. Interest in piece-made super- and hypercars is growing all over the world. Manufacturers are mastering the production of special editions, and investors are investing in the revival of charismatic brands. "Izvestia" was looking into whether this was the right investment or a rebellion against the dominance of electric vehicles.
Young people choose ice
According to the international analytical company Mordor Intelligence, the supercars market will amount to $20.41 billion this year and reach $27.93 billion by 2031 with an average annual growth rate of 6.47%.
The popularity of cryptocurrencies and the increase in the number of super-wealthy people contribute to the growth of global demand for supercars, even with a decrease in macroeconomic indicators, the study notes. There are more customers and they are younger. Last year, Europe was the most important market for supercars, with a 38.30% share of revenue, but the Asia-Pacific region is expected to show the fastest average annual growth rate of 7.01% by 2031.
At the same time, buyers still choose supercars with internal combustion engines - the share of internal combustion engines is approaching 73% of the market. The share of electric vehicles will remain more modest. It is expected that the average annual growth rate until 2031 will be 7.02%. Hybrid technologies are more promising — the electric motor instantly reaches the peak of torque, eliminates turbocharging, without sacrificing emotionality.
They sell out before the premiere
Limited editions turn supercars and hypercars into investment assets, Mordor Intelligence analysts say. For example, the €3.8 million Ferrari F80, produced in 799 copies, sold out quickly. At the same time, the deficit increases the residual value in the long run.
Many brands use this technique. McLaren, in particular, said goodbye to the "seventh" series of supercars, a limited version of the 788HS with a more powerful engine, optimized aerodynamics and reduced weight. The circulation is 200 copies.
Aston Martin showed the Valen coupe at Monterey Car Week in California. The car is based on the Vanquish coupe, but differs from it in design, accelerated engine and reduced weight. A total of 150 such cars will be produced.
Mercedes has created a special Mythos series, under which it produces limited-edition versions of its cars, inspired by legendary models of the past. The most recent is a track supercar named AMG CLE 646 Special Edition, where the digital index indicates the power. All 30 announced cars were sold out before the official premiere.
The Bugatti brand showed the last of the 99 copies of the Mistral model, but then another piece version with a W16 engine appeared.
Sometimes they come back
The year 2026 was the return of the once famous manufacturers of supercars, which were almost forgotten. The revived De Tomaso brand has finally introduced the first P72 customer car. It is expected that only 72 copies will be produced, each estimated at $1.8 million excluding options, personalization and taxes.
The Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker has once again come to life. At one time, Russian businessmen Vladimir Antonov, Boris Rotenberg and Mikhail Pessis invested in the company. Now the permanent owner of Spyker, Viktor Muller, has been able to regain control of the brand and is going to revive the company with the money of Ukrainian cryptomillionaire Vladimir Nosov. Muller plans to produce the C8 Preliator XXV model, based on the eponymous supercar from a decade ago.
The British company Bristol Cars, founded in 1945, announced a return to car production by introducing the Fighter supercar with the American V10 engine, the development of which was interrupted after the company's activities were stopped in 2011. In fact, the new vehicles are based on five Fighter chassis, the assembly of which was not completed at the time. Jaguar and Aston Martin were engaged in the production of such cars in "continued" series in compliance with original technologies and maintaining the original numbering.
Another revived British sports car manufacturer, Jensen, went his own way and developed a prototype Interceptor GTX track supercar from scratch, which is intended to become the basis for a future line of road cars.
Mechanics are back in fashion
All of these cars feature a combination of a multi-cylinder gasoline engine and a manual transmission. ""Gleb Rachko, an expert on classic cars and the owner of a car restoration company, compared the manual transmission to a "closed club" of people who know how and want to drive it.
— This is not a mass story. This is really a collector's market. But he's not small. If you look at how many billions are spinning in the collectible car market in America and Europe, then, believe me, there is enough for everyone. Therefore, five Bristol or ten more De Tomaso will simply disappear into the total mass, they will definitely be sold and then resold again," he said.
An electric car can impress with acceleration dynamics, but the feedback is completely different compared to a real gasoline supercar, said Natalia Freidina, a Russian racing driver and participant in several stages of the Ferrari Challenge.
— The sound that you hear, how the suspension works, the engine, some kind of vibration — it all gives emotions first of all. Another point is ergonomics. It's one thing to see everything drawn on a flat screen, but it's another thing to see real buttons and dials. Besides, a supercar is a piece product. Modern electric vehicles, including Chinese ones, resemble smartphones, and new models and versions are constantly being released. This loses their value. Because the functionality that changes in them is not particularly important," the editorial interlocutor emphasized.
The rich need to be offered something.
There are more and more very rich people in the world, they need to be offered something, said Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of "Behind the Wheel".
— That's why there are investors, with the help of which people are trying to make such machines. Half of these firms, or maybe more, will collapse after some time. Because there are always enthusiasts, talented engineers who are ready to make a supercar, but they don't have the money," he is convinced.
A car is not only a means of transportation, but also an object of collecting and investing, said Anton Shaparin, Vice President of the National Automobile Union.
— You can invest in some unconditional eternal values, like the classics of Mercedes and Ferrari. It is growing in value, growing faster than can be obtained from other types of investment. Or you can invest in all sorts of different piece machines, which, accordingly, will only be available to you and two dozen other guys in the world," the expert explained.
As an example, he recalled how the Ferrari Luce electric car met with a wave of criticism, but its first copy went under the hammer at the RM Sotheby's charity auction in California for a record $ 40 million. Moreover, at the start it was estimated at $ 1.1 million, and the initial price of the basic production version of the electric car is $ 640 thousand.
— While everyone who couldn't buy this car was screaming, those who could came to the auction and gave the money. Because it's a Ferrari. It doesn't matter which one. This is a risk—free investment that will grow," said NAS Vice President.
Like a British lawn
But to create a brand, according to Gleb Rachko, you need a much more valuable resource than money — time.
— It's like the joke about the British lawn, which only needs to be mowed and watered, and so on for 300 years. So it is here — to create a brand, not only automotive, you need to spend more than one decade. And this, as you know, is quite difficult in our fast time. In China, a new car brand is created every week, which no one knows, there is nothing behind it. And when the same Chinese bought the English company Lotus, they got not only an excellent engineering company, but also a wonderful brand. Therefore, the Lotus electric car, which is completely Chinese from bolt to bolt, looks much more premium than any Chinese Huawei," the expert explained, recalling the Bugatti brand recently sold for €1 billion.
Spyker doesn't have such a big story, but the revival of such small charismatic companies makes sense, the source admitted.
— If you buy a modern Spyker now, it doesn't matter what kind of engine it is, gasoline or electric, you are buying a brand. Therefore, it is very logical to acquire a brand that is only getting better over the years. It's one thing, in theory you can buy yourself a Lamborghini car, but you probably won't be able to buy a Lamborghini company. But Spyker might as well. It looks, most likely, like just a toy of young people, such, say, enthusiasts," he pointed out.
A self-driving car
Limited-edition supercars look like a good investment, Gleb Rachko confirmed, but there are also certain risks. According to the expert, they can "shoot up" when the car is in fashion. However, the main thing for such cars is the test of time.
— 30 years will pass, and then it will be clear how much these cars will rise in price. I think this is a very risky investment — as soon as fashion passes, they also become cheaper. Moreover, there is nothing in these limited-edition supercars that globally distinguishes them from production cars. Look at how many limited versions McLaren produces: there are more than unlimited versions. Thus, the meaning of this story seems to fade away. Automakers have sensed this trend. That it is enough to take a regular production Bugatti Chiron, repaint it, hang other bumpers, add a little carbon fiber, increase by 15 horsepower — and you can sell for € 1 million more. Why not? The market is focused on this. The market for young, random money. Serious investors are unlikely to buy such a story, because this money will be invested in proven assets," the expert expressed his conviction, noting that about 500 retro cars enter Russia every year.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
