Supercars are known for their cutting-edge technology and luxury features, but sometimes even the most expensive innovations miss the mark. From overhyped gadgets to unnecessary upgrades, not every pricey addition delivers the wow factor you’d expect. In this article, we’ll take a look at 15 expensive supercar features that were total failures, proving that sometimes even the best ideas don’t quite hit the road running.
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Ferrari 612 Scaglietti’s Bose Infotainment System
In the early 2000s, Ferrari equipped the 612 Scaglietti with an expensive Bose infotainment system that promised superior audio quality. Unfortunately, it quickly became outdated, lagging behind modern systems in terms of functionality and usability. Its high cost did not justify the mediocre user experience it offered, especially given the rapid advancements in infotainment technology.
Lamborghini Aventador’s ISR Transmission
The ISR (Independent Shifting Rod) transmission in the Lamborghini Aventador was intended to provide fast gear shifts, but it resulted in harsh and jarring transitions between gears. This made everyday driving uncomfortable, and many owners felt the experience didn’t match the high price tag of the car, making this feature a significant disappointment.
Bugatti Veyron’s Quad-Turbocharged W16 Engine
While the Veyron’s W16 engine produced astonishing power, it was overengineered and came with astronomical maintenance costs. Servicing the turbos or engine required specialized technicians, and the excessive complexity meant that reliability suffered over time, leading to expensive and frequent repairs for owners.
Porsche 911’s Electric Door Handles
Porsche attempted to modernize the 911 with electric door handles, but they were often unreliable. In colder weather or after prolonged use, the mechanism would fail, leaving owners struggling to enter their expensive sports cars. This added complexity didn’t provide a significant benefit and instead became a point of frustration.
Lexus LFA’s Digital Tachometer
The Lexus LFA featured a flashy digital tachometer that could change configurations depending on the mode selected. While visually impressive, it was overly sensitive and prone to distractions, taking attention away from the driving experience. Its high cost didn’t translate into a useful feature for most drivers, especially when compared to traditional, reliable analog dials.
Koenigsegg One:1’s Rear Wing Aerodynamics
The One:1 was equipped with a rear wing designed to dynamically adjust for optimal aerodynamics. However, for everyday use, this feature was largely ineffective and unnecessary, providing minimal real-world benefit while being expensive to repair if damaged. It was more a track-specific feature than something that added value to regular driving.
Ferrari’s F1 Transmission in the 360 Modena
Ferrari’s single-clutch F1 transmission in the 360 Modena was groundbreaking at its debut but quickly became outdated with the arrival of smoother dual-clutch systems. Its slow, clunky shifts made it frustrating to use in traffic and less desirable compared to modern automatic or dual-clutch alternatives.
BMW i8’s Laser Headlights
Marketed as a cutting-edge technology, the laser headlights in the BMW i8 were incredibly expensive and provided little practical benefit over LED or xenon alternatives. The high cost wasn’t justified by any significant improvement in visibility or performance, making it an unnecessary and costly addition.
Pagani Huayra’s Active Aero Flaps
Pagani equipped the Huayra with active aero flaps that were meant to enhance downforce and stability. However, they were prone to malfunction and added little value in normal driving conditions. The maintenance costs for this overengineered feature outweighed its limited benefits, especially for drivers who weren’t regularly pushing the car to its limits.
Tesla Roadster’s Retractable Roof
The Tesla Roadster’s retractable roof was designed to give drivers the best of both worlds: an open-air experience and a secure, weatherproof ride. Unfortunately, the mechanism was complicated and prone to jamming or leaking, making it a feature that many owners found more of a hassle than a luxury.
Ferrari 458 Italia’s Touch-Sensitive Buttons
Ferrari opted for touch-sensitive buttons in the 458 Italia’s interior, which were meant to modernize the cabin. However, the buttons often failed to respond accurately, especially with gloves or when the driver’s hands weren’t perfectly dry. This led to a frustrating user experience that was more distracting than functional.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Doors
The iconic gullwing doors on the SLS AMG were a throwback to the legendary 300SL, but they proved to be highly impractical. The design made it difficult to park in tight spaces, and in the event of a rollover, the doors were a safety hazard. While visually striking, they added little value and introduced more problems than they solved.
Lamborghini’s E-Gear Automated Manual Transmission
Lamborghini’s E-Gear transmission was an automated manual system that shifted gears automatically or via paddles. However, it was known for its jerky, unrefined shifts, making the driving experience far less enjoyable compared to the smoother dual-clutch systems that soon became standard.
Bugatti Chiron’s Titanium Exhaust
Bugatti fitted the Chiron with a titanium exhaust system, which was incredibly expensive to produce. While it shaved a little weight off the car, the performance benefits were marginal, making it an unnecessary and overly costly feature for most drivers who wouldn’t notice the difference.
Ferrari Enzo’s Carbon Ceramic Brakes
Ferrari’s carbon ceramic brakes in the Enzo were cutting-edge but incredibly costly to maintain. Replacing the brakes could run into the tens of thousands, and many drivers felt that the performance gains didn’t justify the massive expense. For most, they were more of a financial burden than a valuable feature.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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