California leads supercars boom

By Jack Rix

16th October 2008

Credit crisis? Not everyone is feeling the pinch! Demand for the fastest, most desirable supercars in the world is going through the roof, claims the latest research.

In fact, the wealthiest car fans are being forced to wait up to two years for models costing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Topping the list is Ferrari’s 599 GTB Fiorano, which commands a waiting time of 24 months despite its £197,500 price tag. And bosses at the company have revealed that customers are also clamouring for their new folding hard-top model. The £145,000 California only made its debut at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month, but it has already sold out through to 2011.

Porsche buyers are having to be equally patient. Add your name to the list for the 530bhp twin-turbo 911 GT2, priced £131,080, and it will be 12 to 18 months before it’s on your driveway. Other models in demand include the Aston Martin DBS, Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg CCX – all of which take up to a year to arrive.

The study, conducted for next month’s MPH ’08 show in London and Birmingham, suggests that supercars are immune from the slump in new registrations reported over the past six months.