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Supercar options: how to blow £70,000 on extras

Updated: 26 January 2015

We all know supercars tend to be bought by people who aren’t short of money, and that the prices are high as the cars are built in such small volumes.

But… £17k paint? A £5k hi-fi? £2k on door mirror casings? Supercar options and personalisation are a serioucly big business for manufacturers – you could buy a Range Rover Vogue TDV8 (list price £68,985) to go with your Ferrari 458 Italia if you didn’t spec your car like the Ferrari UK press office.

On the other hand, don’t be as Spartan about your 911 GT2 RS as Porsche’s press office – you’ll definitely miss the air-conditioning when out for a summer drive.

We’ve dived into the options of the six supercars tested in our new McLaren MP4-12C group test. Here’s how the press cars featured in the new July 2011 issue of CAR Magazine were specced:

Audi R8 V10

Recommended retail price: £108,090
Price as tested:  £115,715      
Options: £7625
• Extended fine Nappa leather package: £2555
• Colour stitching black/pale grey: £275
• Carbon inlays: £1685
• Audi music interface: £255
• Audi parking system plus: £1040
• Carbon sideblades: £1530
• Mobile telephone preparation – Bluetooth: £285    

Mercedes SLS AMG

Recommended retail price: £168,395
Price as tested: £183,280
Options: £14,885
• Reversing camera: £340
• Telephone pre-wiring with hands-free facility: £335
• AMG carbonfibre exterior mirrors: £1025
• Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG. Eleven high-performance speakers with two illuminated tweeter lenses: £5055
• Trim – AMG carbonfibre trim: £2995
• Paint – designo Mystic White: £2995
• Upholstery – two-tone designo Exclusive leather, classic red/black: £2140

McLaren MP4-12C

Recommended retail price: £168,500
Price as tested: £223,470
Options: £54,970
• Elite paint – Volcano Orange: £3820
• Sport exhaust: £4040
• Carbonfibre engine covers: £2130
• Carbonfibre mirror casings: £2130
• Carbonfibre engine bay panels: £2980
• Carbonfibre diffuser: £2980
• Carbonfibre splitter: £2130
• Stealth Pack (darkened finish on exhaust tips and wing supports): £770
• Carbon-ceramic brakes: £9770
• Super-lightweight forged wheels: £3820
• Electric and heated memory seats: £2550
• Carbonfibre interior upgrade: £2980
• Alcantara and leather interior: £3400
• Carbonfibre seat backs: £2980
• Contrast stitching on dashboard: £260
• IRIS upgrade with Satellite Navigation and Meridian surround sound system: £5100
• Tyre pressure monitoring system: £640
• Volumetric alarm upgrade: £260
• Vehicle tracking system: £600
• Parking sensors (front and rear): £600
• Car cover: £430
• Fire extinguisher: £430
• Warning triangle and first aid kit: £170

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Recommended retail price: £171,468
Price as tested: £172,650
Options: £1182
• Alcantara/leather interior in red/black: No-cost option
• Lightweight bucket seats: No-cost option
• 19-inch GT2 RS wheels in White Gold Metallic with centre-locking device: £1182   

Ferrari 458 Italia  

Recommended retail price: £173,172
Price as tested: £242,562
Options: £69,390
• Alcantara boot carpet: £1550
• Alcantara interior carpet: £1582
• Alcantara headliner: £518
• Alcantara armrest: £467
• Carbonfibre filter box cover: £2587
• Carbonfibre engine bay cover: £4651
• Carbonfibre rear diffuser: £5167
• Carbonfibre outer sill cover: £5063
• Lower Passenger compartment trim in carbonfibre: £5683
• Carbonfibre racing package: £8276
• Carbonfibre front wings: £2171
• Ferrari iPod connection £580
• Scuderia Ferrari shields: £1013
• Radio Navigation and Bluetooth system: £2170
• Red rev counter: No-cost option
• Racing seats: £4961
• 20in Diamond Sport wheels: £4651
• Colour on request for standard stitching – Rosso: £296
• Upper part in Alcantara: £724
• Rosso Fuoco paint with Nero Daytona roof: £17,280

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder LP570-4 Performante

Recommended retail price: £186,000
Price as tested: £203,000
Options: £17,000
• Ceramic brakes: £12,000
• Nose lift: £2500
• Satellite navigation: £2500

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