By their very existence, Supercars draw crowds of admirers who recognize the fastest and most beautiful cars on the road. Adding to the wow factor, these limited-edition supercars command attention wherever they go.

It would be best to go back to the beginning to understand how or why limited or special editions can bring any street to a standstill. Lamborghini started the modern supercar era with the jaw-dropping Miura, a mid-engined supermodel. The Jota and SVJ followed soon after, prettier and faster. This process has continued with every carmaker ever since.

Limited editions come in all shapes and forms, including higher-spec engines, track-focused suspension, and, in some cases, cosmetic upgrades. You only need to browse the Porsche 911 history chock full of specials to see how far carmakers will go. All of which come with a more significant sticker price. Little wonder why carmakers are so keen to pander to buyers’ desire to stand out from the crowds.

1. Jaguar XJ220

Achingly beautiful, Jaguar’s XJ220 draws admiring glances wherever it goes. Despite its gorgeous flowing lines, this limited edition supercar flopped spectacularly, failing to meet a planned run of 350 cars. In total, Jaguar managed to find 282 buyers for what was briefly the fastest production car.

Launched just ahead of a global financial crisis, the XJ220 was a victim of poor timing. It wasn’t the only reason the 213 mph supercar flopped. At its debut, Jaguar promised a mid-engined V12 supercar boasting an all-wheel-drive chassis. By the time production began, its engine had shrunk to a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 powering the rear wheels only. 

2. Porsche 959

The first true supercar? That claim depends on what defines a supercar. Porsche fans point to the 959’s astonishing near 200 mph top speed and potent power train. Please think of the 959 as the 911 turbo in its final form, refined, faster, and rarer. 

Unlike its rival, the Ferrari F40, Porsche realized less is more and capped production at 292 road cars. More than a 911 turbo running more boost, the 959 wears a wider body comprising flared arches, deeper spoilers, and an integrated rear spoiler. Thirty years later, gearheads still stop and admire the 959.

3. Aston Martin DBR22

Aston Martin is no stranger to producing beautiful and personalized cars. Launched in 2022 to celebrate ten years of the carmaker Q personalization service, the DBR22 showcases the brand’s creative and sporting pedigree. Naturally, this celebration model is in short supply, with 22 vehicles planned.

Under the skin, this is a familiar setup that uses Aston Martin’s 5.2-liter turbocharged V12, also used in the DBS Superleggera. This pedigree means the DBR22 is not only beautiful but fast, too. With 715 hp under your right foot, the DBR22 is a supercar fast, posting a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

4. Lamborghini Aventador LP-780-4 Ultimae

The Aventador’s final outing is a jaw-dropping piece of Italian flamboyance. Lamborghini made the final V12 claim numerous times over the Aventador life span, only to reveal another special edition. This one, though, really is the last of a breed. As a last hurrah, albeit limited to 350 cars, the LP780-4 Ultimae is a smartphone camera magnet.

All Aventadors are special, whether it’s the bellow of the 6.5-liter mid-engine V12 or the impossibly low bodywork that grabs your attention. They don’t call this one the King of Supercars for nothing.

5. VLF Force 1 V10

VLF’s credentials are beyond reproach. It was founded in 2012 by three industry gearheads focused on building the ultimate US supercar. The recipe began with a Fisker Karma stripped of its hybrid powertrain, emerging as the VLF Force 1.

Adding to the brand’s development, designer Henrik Fisker steered production towards the Vipers chassis and engine. Like its doner, the Force 1 V10 packs a potent 8.4-liter engine rated at 745 hp, with a claimed top speed of 218 mph. While it shares its bare chassis with the Viper, everything externally is unique and forged from carbon fiber for lightness. Only 50 Force 1 V10s exist, making it one of the rarest supercars and likely one most gearheads won’t recognize.

6. Pagani Huayra Tricolore

Limited editions of already rare supercars are nothing new to Pagani. The Huayra, first produced in 2011, comes in numerous variants ranging from road-going specials to track-only cars, for the Huarya Tricolore, which translates to just three vehicles. Inspired by the Italian Air Force display team, the rare Tricolore wears a unique bare carbon finish adorned with Italian national colors.

Essentially identical to the Huayra R, the Tricolore is a potent supercar boasting 829 hp with a claimed top speed of 238 mph. At its heart, a Mercedes-AMG 6-liter V12 screams to 9000 rpm, announcing its arrival long before this carbon-fiber supercar comes into view. If you are lucky enough to see or hear the Tricolore, it will surely be the center of attention.

7. Lexus LFA

Supercars are the lifeblood of European niche manufacturers and command attention wherever they go. However, there are some exceptions, notably the Lexus LFA. Produced between 2010 and 2012, just 500 examples of this rare technological marvel exist. While its badge might lack the allure of Ferrari and Lamborghini, the LFA is no shrinking violet.

Naturally, its Japanese original ensures every aspect of the LFA works in perfect unison, delivering the ultimate supercar experience. Under the hood, a 4.8-liter engine cranks out 563 hp, and one of the most significant modern engines emits a high-revving soundtrack like no other. Launched as Lexus’ halo car, there are no plans to succeed the LFA.

8. Panoz Abruzzi

More for the wrong reasons, driving an Abruzzi will garner looks and admiration for how it looks. Unlike its peers, Panoz opted for function over form, making the Abruzzi one of the less aesthetically pleasing supercars. Despite its otherworldly looks, this automotive eye-catcher found fame in Europe.

Getting past the love-hate looks, Panoz knew what they were doing with the Abruzzi. Placing the supercharged LS3 engine farther back in the chassis improved weight distribution and handling, hinting at Panoz’s racing intentions. Limited to 81 road-going cars, stumbling across the Abruzzi is a rare photo opportunity.

9. Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Stunningly beautiful and rare—two statements you wouldn’t normally associate with Mercedes—this SLR is a crowd-pleaser everywhere. Built to commemorate a legendary Mercedes racer, the SLR Stirling Moss Edition transforms the ordinary into a 50s-inspired roadster.

Interestingly, the roofless supercar styling is not German and was sculpted by Yoon Il-Hun, drawing inspiration from the 300 SLR. Retro influences stop at the bodywork. Look beneath the carbon-fiber body; a modern 5.4-liter supercharged V8 sends 641 hp to the rear wheels. In total, 75 Stirling Moss SLRs exist, produced over six months in 2009.

10. Ferrari 288 GTO

Every gearhead recognizes the F40, Ferrari’s first 200-mph supercar. But few will remember the 2088 GTO, a marginally slower turbocharged limited edition. Existing in small numbers for road use, the 288 GTO is a homologation special resembling the famous 308. Under the hood, things are very different.

Borrowing heavily from the Scuderia F1 race team, Ferrari combined its 2.9-liter F114B V8 with twin IHI turbochargers, unleashing 395 hp from a lower displacement. Think of the 288 GTO as a predecessor to the F40, which is only more desirable and rarer, with 77 examples built for road use.

11. Maserati MC12

Staying with rare Italian supercars, Maserati joined the fray in 2004 with the MC12. Visually, the MC12 is a stunning nod to the brand’s FIA race series aspirations. But all is not as it first appears. Limiting production to 50 road-spec cars complemented by 12 for competition use, the MC12 is mechanically closely related to the Ferrari Enzo. 

As a race car-inspired supercar, the MC12 wears a longer and wider body than its donor, making a more dramatic entrance. Gearheads don’t need an excuse to notice the MC12’s arrival. Tucked away behind the cockpit, you find a modified Ferrari V12 developing 621 hp. However, there are some trade-offs. Maserati’s attention-grabbing body reduces the MC12’s top speed to 205 mph versus the Enzo.

12. Morgan Aeromax

Don’t be fooled by the retro styling cues; Morgan’s Aeromax is a real supercar sculpted from Superformed aluminum. It’s a similar story under the skin where extruded and riveted aluminum dispels Morgan’s near-legendary use of wood for chassis construction. Despite the high-tech updates, the Aeromax retains a familiar shape, mimicking the first Morgan +8 road cars of the 1960s. 

Under the hood, there is nothing dated or retro. BMW Power is the sole engine choice in the Aeromax, displacing 4.8 liters and producing 362 hp. These might be small numbers by supercar standards, but weighing just 2535 lbs, the Aeromax posts a sub-five-second 0-60 mph time and will run to 170 mph flat out. 100 Aeromax cars exist, marking the brand’s centenary year.

13. McLaren 675LT

Supercar makers constantly produce special editions of their regular cars. McLaren is no different. The 12C came first, superseded by the 650s, which, in turn, were joined by the 675LT—a more focused supercar. The 675LT, through greater use of weight-saving carbon fiber, saves 100 kgs over the 650S.

McLaren updated the 675LT with a revised engine map, unlocking an extra 25 hp. While these changes are small, the LT prefix sets it apart from the 650S. LT or long tail refers to the carmaker’s famous Le Mans F1 GTR, adding a sense of exclusivity reinforced by a limited run of 500 cars.

14. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo

Once in a generation, US supercar maker Saleen outperformed itself with a revised and illusive turbocharged variant of the fast S7. External revisions to the front and rear air splitters added downforce to tame the car’s prodigious power output. Regardless, in either trim, Saleen’s supercar is a crowd-stopper wherever it goes.

A closer look at the numbers reveals a power hike to 750 hp, a gain of 200 ponies backed up by 700 lbs-ft of torque. The gains did little to the car’s acceleration time, shaving a tenth from 0-60 mph. At the other end of the performance scale, the S7 Twin-Turbo gets within touching distance of hypercars, boasting a top speed of 248 mph. Exactly how many cars exist is unclear, but Saleen figures point to 30 vehicles.