Rolls-Royce Ghost

The Ghost is the smaller companion to the Phantom, but don’t call it entry level. It’s less expensive, but the base price is still considerably in excess of a quarter-mil. It shares the Phantom’s twin-turbo 12, a long-wheelbase version is offered, and although the styling is less formal, it’s every bit as imposing. The surprise is behind the wheel. This is a remarkably athletic, rewarding car to drive. For 2014, a new V-Specification (available on both wheelbases) adds even more performance.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Above sports cars, there are exotic sports cars. And the LaFerrari is poised to be the king of all exotic sports cars. Its 789-hp V-12 gets a 161-hp boost from an electric motor—that’s right, it’s a hybrid—enabling it to accelerate like a Bugatti Veyron while achieving somewhat respectable fuel economy. Far prettier than its predecessor, the Enzo, the LaFerrari is styled like a ground-bound fighter jet. Its interior is custom-fit for its owner—as it should be, given its sky-high price tag.

Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey manufactures the power plants at its facility in Sealy, Texas. The engines are then air freighted to the company's assembly facility near Silverstone, England where the Venom GT is built and tested. Venom GT buyers will be offered a 1-day driver orientation and instruction program by a Hennessey factory test driver at a track in the UK or USA prior to delivery. Hennessey plans to establish a network of Venom GT dealers and distributors in the Middle East, Europe, Russia, Australia and Asia. Production is limited to just 10 vehicles per year. The 750 hp Hennessey Venom GT price starts at 600,000 USD while the 1,200 hp version starts at 1,000,000 USD. If you want the car in Europe, the Hennessey Venom GT price goes up by just under 25,000 USD. As of February 28, 2014, 11 Venom GTs have been manufactured.Hennessey have announced that they only intend to build a total of 29 of these cars.

Bugatti Veyron

For those with all the money in the world and a desire to go blisteringly fast, there’s the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. It’s a carbon-fiber and aluminum masterpiece with an 8.0-liter turbo-quad W16 engine, seven-speed automatic and all-wheel drive; it makes 1001 hp and has a 200-mph-plus top speed. For wind in your hair, try the Grand Sport with its targa top. For even more speed, the 1200-hp Super Sport and Grand Sport Vitesse are sure to please. Will you be paying the two million in cash, Sir

McLaren MP4-12C

Want to make that smug jerk at the country club with the Ferrari 458 shut up? Buy one of these. The only thing clumsy about the MP4-12C is the name. The McLaren has the kind of performance that makes lesser cars feel pathetic, plus no-compromise ride comfort. And it’s easy to drive as well.

Nissan GT-R

Nissan’s GT-R may be fugly to the lay person, but as an instrument of pure speed, it’s a thing of beauty. A 545-hp, twin-turbo V-6 and astounding, all-wheel-drive grip give the GT-R supercar-grade performance. Its six-figure price, while high for a Nissan, is cheap among anything else so quick. Numerous enhancements over the years have made it ever faster and more refined, with 0-to-60 times dropping below three seconds. That’s Bugatti territory. This car’s not called Godzilla for nothing.

Lotus Evora

Lotus’ mid-engine Evora sports car may not match the legendary refinement and quality of the Porsche Cayman, but with its featherweight aluminum structure and scintillating steering, it delivers smiles like no other. Exotic-car styling and exclusivity are part of the package, too, regardless of whether one chooses the Evora or the more powerful Evora S.