Many features and accessories are available to add to factory cars. While some of these additions are cool, others might be a bit over the top. Below are some of the costliest and most excessive options that have been incorporated into luxury cars.
Rolls-Royce Celestial Phantom Starlight Headliner
Image courtesy of rolls-roycemotorcars.com.
In early 2013, Rolls-Royce revealed its Celestial Phantom with a 6.75-liter, V12 engine that produces 463 brake horsepower and takes just 5.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. What’s special about it, though, is its star-studded headliner, which has 1,340 fiber-optic lights. The starry scene, which is priced at $14,700, is a replica of the exact sky at midnight on Jan. 1, 2003, when the first Phantom was handed over to its first customer. The interior features leather seats with a dusk hue, and the clock is decorated with diamonds that reflect the starry sky of the headliner. Additionally, fine glass particles are integrated into the exterior paint.
Bentley Bentayga’s Mulliner Tourbillon Timepiece
Image courtesy of bmwblog.com.
The Mulliner Tourbillon timepiece for the Bentley Bentayga is a rather extravagant option, even for a luxury car. Along with an impressive 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 engine that can produce 600 brake horsepower, the timepiece by Breitling has a 28-millimeter case made of 18-carat gold and an oscillator made of 22-carat gold. Customers have the option of white or rose gold, and the dial features 12 diamonds. The timepiece is designed to fit into the dashboard, with a mechanism that keeps it wound by spinning it regularly. This add-on costs a whopping $170,000.
Maybach Granite Trim
Image courtesy of alux.com.
Consumers who can afford the Maybach may not hesitate to add the granite trim to the vehicle. The granite trim, made from naturally occurring granite, is installed in the center of the dashboard, stretching from under the middle air vents to around the gearshift. It is also included in the door panels. With the Basic package, the granite trim costs $58,000. With a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V12 engine, the Maybach Landaulet is available with the granite trim for an even higher price.
Infiniti QX56 Blind-Spot Warning System
Image courtesy of wikipedia.org.
The Infiniti QX56 has a powerful 5.6-liter, V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower. However, its most excessive option is the blind-spot warning system, which alerts the driver of other cars in the blind spots when changing lanes at speeds faster than 20 mph. Radar sensors are located near the back bumper to detect the vehicles, and a camera is installed behind the windshield. The system indicator is located in the driver’s door mirror and illuminates upon detecting other vehicles. If the turn signal is on too, the indicator flashes and triggers a warning sound. Intended for safety improvement, the system costs a total of $12,750 due to certain qualifications that are required. These include a $2,300 Tire and Wheel package, $2,950 Theater package, $3,000 Technology package and $4,500 Deluxe Touring package.
Audi Bang & Olufsen Speakers
Image courtesy of jku.com.au.
This state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen system is an option for the Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q7, which are equipped with either a 3.0-liter, V6 engine or a 4.2-liter, V8 engine. The sound system includes the sound focus, surround level and volume balancing features as well as the ICE power and Acoustic Lens technologies. Two of the customized speakers are motorized tweeters, which are located on the dashboard and rise up when the system is turned on. The system also has an amplifier, which reaches up to 1400 watts. It costs $6,300 to add the Bang & Olufsen system.
Mercedes-Benz AIRSCARF
Image courtesy of mercedes-benz.com.
Mercedes-Benz SL550s and SLK250s, which are equipped with 4.6-liter, V8 and 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engines respectively, could be equipped with the unique AIRSCARF feature for drivers who are willing to pay the price. This option includes a set of air vents that are built into the headrests of the front seats at neck level. They consistently blow hot air on the head and neck, using energized ceramic particles, allowing owners to put the top back in chilly temperatures. The AIRSCARF is part of a package that costs $2,590 for the SKL250 and $4,900 for the SL550. However, it’s a part of the standard equipment in the SL65 AMG, SLK55 AMG, SLK350 and SLS AMG GT roadster.
Maybach Zeppelin Perfume Atomizer
Image courtesy of thedetroitbureau.com.
Equipped with a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V12 engine, the Maybach Zeppelin offers an exclusive feature: a perfume atomizer. The device is a Plexiglas sphere, positioned on the back of the center console and lights up. Owners can put their favorite Givaudan fragrance into the system to slowly distribute the scent throughout the vehicle. A thumbwheel allows the driver to adjust the strength and a button activates the system. The perfume atomizer turns off automatically after 10 minutes and can release the fragrance at predetermined intervals. Adding this option costs $5,000.
Asanti Diamond Wheels
Image courtesy of therichest.com.
Diamond-encrusted Asanti rims are possibly the most expensive accessory available for a factory car. However, customers can switch out the diamonds for something that caters more to their style, such as rubies or sapphires, if they wish. This could make the $1-million price tag worth it, along with the Bentley GT Coupe that the wheels come attached to. Additionally, the rims come with their own 24-hour security guard for the first year to ensure they are not stolen.
Nissan GT-R Spec V Brakes
Image courtesy of autoblog.com.
With a 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine, the Nissan GT-R Spec V also has 485 horsepower. Nissan added giant carbon ceramic-vented brake discs in the front and rear for amazing stopping power. The rear discs have four-piston calipers, and the front discs have six-piston calipers. BILSTEIN dampers are installed as well, so the car remains flat and stable when the brakes are applied. Brembo, an Italian manufacturer, collaborated on the development of the brakes and they cost $50,000 per set.
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Carbon-Fiber Cup Holder
Image courtesy of thehogring.com.
A part of a luxury brand, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is already a pricey vehicle that includes a 6.3-liter, V12 engine, producing 731 horsepower. However, the price increases even more with the installation of its carbon-fiber amenities, including a cup holder, which is snuggly positioned in the center console to prevent drink spillage while the driver travels at fast speeds. The refined design of this convenient feature fits in with the rest of the vehicle, which comes with carbon-fiber dashboard inserts, rear bench trim and other features. Alone, the cup holder adds $3,533 to the overall price of the car, which is the same price as the parking camera.
From accessories that optimize comfort to features that are simply for showing off, customers can modify their vehicles in numerous ways.
Which of these do you believe are the most extravagant?
Do you know of other car features and accessories that are excessive?
Do you think some of them might be useful?