The World Car Rankings blog on Tianya has knowledgeable people here in the Tianya community.

by 03ho0471 on 2012-03-09 16:45:03

1. Spyker

2. Rolls-Royce

3. Bugatti

4. Maserati

5. Aston Martin

6. Bentley

7. Maybach

8. Ferrari

9. Porsche

10. Lamborghini

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**Spyker**

Country: Netherlands

Brand Establishment Year: 1875

Brand Style: A perfect blend of art and technology, luxurious and timeless, unconventional

Classic Model: C8 Spyder (starting at 48.8 million yuan)

Spyker, a factory over a hundred years old, has always maintained its unique brand style. All their sports cars are handcrafted with distinctive lightweight bodies, featuring large-displacement mid-mounted engines, rear-wheel drive, and many specifications adhering to F1 standards, boasting impressive performance parameters. In 1898, the Spijker brothers, Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan, built their first car in Amsterdam using a Mercedes engine, immediately gaining praise for their excellent body construction skills. The same year, they created the famous Golden Coronation Carriage as a tribute to Queen Wilhelmina's coronation, which is still in use today. From that point on, the Spijker brothers entered a turning point in their careers: dedicating Spyker entirely to automobile manufacturing. To better suit foreign markets, they changed "ij" in Spijker to "y," renaming the company Spyker. As a renowned luxury sports car manufacturer, Spyker’s noble sports cars are fully customized according to customer demands. In 2005, Spyker increased production to around 100 cars per year. Not only do we produce for a limited number of prestigious owners, but each model is also an exclusive collector's item. Spyker releases a new car model every year, stopping production once global output reaches 500 units. Spyker targets the highest-end users in the sports car market, primarily located in the United States, Western Europe, the Middle East, Greater China, and smaller wealthy countries like Switzerland and Monaco.

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**Rolls-Royce**

Country: United Kingdom

Brand Establishment Year: 1904

Brand Style: Established in 1904

Classic Model: Phantom (starting at 50 million yuan)

Mr. Rolls was a nobleman and a racer, sociable and widely connected, who always wanted to produce a truly British car. Mr. Royce was an outstanding engineer, versatile, and interested in Rolls' plan, leading to their partnership in producing British luxury cars. The first Rolls-Royce car was born in Manchester, marking the beginning of a highly acclaimed journey. In 1906, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce jointly founded Rolls-Royce, initially focusing on aircraft engine manufacturing before expanding into automobiles; they continue to produce aircraft engines today. The sculpted trademark of Rolls-Royce features a gleaming silver flying goddess statue. The origin of the "Flying Goddess" can be traced back to 1911 when Rolls met artist and sculptor Charles Sykes through Sir Montagu's introduction. He commissioned Charles Sykes to design a sculpture for "Rolls-Royce." Sykes used Miss Thornton from the magazine's editorial staff as a model, designing the "Flying Goddess," symbolizing the spirit of speed. On February 6, 1911, the "Flying Goddess" descended upon Rolls-Royce, immersing the world in fresh air and the harmonious melody of wing vibrations. The unveiling ceremony of the "Flying Goddess" was as grand and enthusiastic as the launch of the first Rolls-Royce car. The Rolls-Royce logo features two overlapping "R"s, symbolizing unity and harmony between the two founders.

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**Bugatti**

Country: France

Brand Establishment Year: 1909

Brand Style: A perfect combination of technology and art, luxurious comfort, easy to drive

Classic Models: Brescia, Royale, Atalantes, Pur Sang

Bugatti is a world-famous vintage sports car brand established by Italian Ettore Bugatti in Germany in 1909, specializing in the production of sports cars and high-end luxury sedans. Due to changes in national boundaries, the company was located in Germany from 1909-1918, in France from 1919-1956, and in Italy after being re-established in 1991. The English letters in the Bugatti logo represent Bugatti, with EB standing for Ettore Bugatti's initials, surrounded by small dots symbolizing ball bearings, set against a red background. Bugatti cars are among the most preserved classic antique vehicles, showcased in multiple famous car museums worldwide. They are known for superior performance, innovative and streamlined body designs, and distinctive engine configurations.

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**Maserati**

Country: Italy

Brand Establishment Year: 1914

Brand Style: Distinguished elegance without ostentation, extreme speed combined with comfortable driving pleasure

Classic Models: Quattroporte, GranTurismo (starting at 17.9 million yuan)

Maserati is a well-known Italian racing and sports car producer established in Bologna in 1914. The company's current headquarters is in Modena, and their emblem is a trident. Maserati was once part of Ferrari (a company majority-owned by Fiat) and is now directly owned by the Italian automotive giant Fiat. The Maserati brothers—Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore, Ernesto, and Mario—all became involved in the automotive industry in the early 20th century. Alfieri, Bindo, and Ernesto manufactured 2-liter Grand Prix racing cars for Diatto. In 1926, when Diatto ceased racing car production, it led to the creation of the first Maserati model. Alfieri drove the first Maserati to victory at the 1926 Targa Florio race. Maserati began producing racing cars with 4, 6, 8, and 16-valve engines (essentially two straight-eight valve engines mounted together). Mario, an artist, is credited with designing the company's emblem—a trident.

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**Aston Martin**

Country: United Kingdom

Brand Establishment Year: 1914

Brand Style: Distinctive styling, exquisite craftsmanship, superior performance

Classic Model: DBS (starting at 41 million yuan)

Aston Martin, originally a British luxury sedan and sports car manufacturer, was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The company is headquartered in Newport and is renowned worldwide for producing convertible touring cars, racing cars, and limited-production sports cars. Participating in races is an important means of developing passenger car production, though it is costly and often poorly managed. In 1987, it was acquired by the American Ford Company. The Aston Martin logo features a soaring eagle with the words "Aston" and "Martin" inscribed, symbolizing the company's ambition to achieve great heights with the speed of an eagle. It also indicates that this is a "three-partnership" car company. The renowned Aston Martin Lagonda Company, famous for producing convertible touring cars, racing cars, and limited-production sports cars, owes much of its success to this eagle's luck. Mentioning Aston Martin brings to mind the legendary stories of 007 James Bond, seemingly attributing its success to him.

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**Bentley**

Country: United Kingdom

Brand Establishment Year: 1919

Brand Style: Outstanding driving experience, combining traditional handcrafted techniques with powerful sports performance

Classic Models: Arnage 728 (starting at 99.8 million yuan), Arnage RL (starting at 54.8 million yuan), Continental GT (starting at 30.8 million yuan), Continental Flying (starting at 29.8 million yuan)

The Bentley brothers founded Bentley Motors, formerly translated as "BenTli" until officially renamed "BinLi" upon entering China in 2001. Walter Owen Bentley served as an apprentice in the railway industry before transitioning to the automotive sector. In 1912, he and his brother Horace Milner founded Bentley Motors in London, selling French DFP cars. He improved these cars by replacing their engines with aluminum pistons, enhancing performance. During World War I, he worked for the Royal Naval Air Service Technical Committee, improving the Clerget engine, resulting in the famous BR1 and BR2 aviation engines. In 1919, W.O. Bentley resumed sales of DFP cars and launched the Bentley 3.0, powered by a 3-liter engine delivering 85 horsepower and capable of speeds exceeding 80 mph. This racing car achieved remarkable success, winning five consecutive championships at Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930. Bentley Motors embarked on a journey to professionally design high-end sports cars and racing cars. After leaving in 1935, he joined Lagonda, working there for 11 years until his death in 1971. The Bentley logo features the letter "B" with wings, resembling a soaring eagle, a symbol that has been used consistently since its inception, previously featuring a flying "B."

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**Maybach**

Country: Germany

Brand Establishment Year: 1921

Brand Style: Exquisite elegance, ultimate individuality, perfectionism

Classic Models: Maybach 57S (7.31 million yuan), 62S (8.3 million yuan)

Daimler-Chrysler Group announced in New York that the German ultra-luxury car brand Maybach, dormant for 60 years, had officially revived. Two models were initially launched: the Maybach 57 and Maybach 62, produced by Mercedes-Benz, priced at 310,000 euros and 360,000 euros respectively. These prices are astonishing, equivalent to approximately 3.5 times the price of a Mercedes S600 or 2.5 times that of a Ferrari 360. Even the prestigious Rolls-Royce and Bentley can only match the Maybach 62 with their top-tier products. Some describe the revived Maybach as "Germany's Rolls-Royce," which is somewhat accurate but not entirely precise. Rolls-Royce, a pride of British automaking, will soon become part of the German BMW Group, while another ultra-luxury brand, Bentley, has joined the German Volkswagen Group. Currently, BMW Group is busy updating Rolls-Royce and may introduce new models in the coming years. Against this backdrop, Daimler Group's decision to launch Maybach appears strategic, positioning it as a sharp weapon in the ultra-luxury car market, ensuring BMW does not dominate alone. Compared to Rolls-Royce's "angel" logo, Maybach's double-M logo is much simpler. Initially, the double-M represented "Maybach Automobile," and now it signifies "Made by Maybach." The Maybach logo consists of two intersecting Ms enclosed in a spherical triangle, reviving memories of its legendary cars and era through brand presentation. Each car is independently crafted according to customer specifications, with engines and chassis entirely handmade.

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**Ferrari**

Country: Italy

Brand Establishment Year: 1947

Brand Style: Speed and passion, innovation and courage

Classic Models: F430 (27 million yuan), F430 Spider (32 million yuan), 599 GTB (43.5 million yuan), 612 Scaglietti (43.8 million yuan)

Ferrari is an Italian car manufacturer primarily focused on Formula One racing cars, racing cars, and high-performance sports cars, founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari. Initially, Ferrari sponsored racers and produced racing cars, eventually becoming independent in 1946 and reaching its current scale. It is now owned by Fiat Group and headquartered near Modena, Maranello. In the Italian automotive world, Ferrari and Lamborghini are referred to as the "two kings," with Maserati as the "queen." Enzo Ferrari, founder of Ferrari, said his favorite racing car was one he had yet to build, and his greatest success was one he had yet to achieve. Known as the "Father of Racing," Ferrari's passion for cars burned fiercely within him from a young age. At 13, he convinced his father to allow him to drive alone. The roar of engines on the racing track and the thrill of competition inspired him further. Driving Alfa Romeo cars, he raced frequently and won numerous victories, earning the nickname "Knight" from his teammates. He progressed from participating in races to founding a racing club, ultimately establishing his own car company. Ferrari is now celebrated as the "Red Lightning." The shield emblem features a prancing black horse against the color of Modena's golden canary feathers. The prancing horse originates from Ferrari's founder, Enzo Ferrari's birthplace, Modena, imbued with legendary heroism. During World War I, the highly decorated Italian pilot Francesco Baracca first adopted this emblem as his personal insignia, painting it on his aircraft. After the war, Baracca's parents entrusted the prancing horse emblem to Enzo Ferrari, who placed it on a yellow shield as the team's symbol. Later, following Baracca's brave demise, the horse turned black, with the Italian flag added above it as a tribute.

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**Porsche**

Country: Germany

Brand Establishment Year: 1948

Brand Style: Ultimate sports cars for everyday use

Classic Model: Porsche 911 Turbo (19.5 million yuan)

Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche, invented the electric wheel hub motor at the age of 24 (in 1899). By the following year's Paris International Exhibition, Porsche had already gained international fame. Porsche cars are characterized by their beetle-like shape, rear-mounted engines, and exceptional performance, quickly making them well-known. In 1963, at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Porsche unveiled the iconic 911 model, a design that remains popular even today. The car's body designer was Ferry Porsche's eldest son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. Important developments include the 928 with a rear transaxle chassis and V-8 engine, the technologically advanced 955, and the 911 Carrera 4 with electronic-controlled four-wheel drive and lift-free aerodynamics. Porsche’s logo incorporates Stuttgart's coat of arms. At the center is a prancing horse, representing Stuttgart's famous breed of horses, with "Stuttgart" indicating the company's headquarters location. The antlers in the upper left and lower right symbolize Stuttgart's former status as a hunting paradise. The yellow stripes in the upper right and lower left represent ripe wheat, signifying abundance, while black represents fertile soil and red symbolizes human wisdom and love for nature. Together, they form a beautiful pastoral landscape, symbolizing Porsche's glorious past and promising future.

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**Lamborghini**

Country: Italy

Brand Establishment Year: 1963

Brand Style: Wildness and passion

Classic Model: Lamborghini Murcielago (48.8 million yuan)

Lamborghini, also spelled "Langboqini" or "Linbaojiani," refers to Ferruccio Lamborghini Automobili S.P.A., the Italian Ferruccio Lamborghini Automobile Stock Company. Lamborghini's logo features a powerful, attacking bull, aligning with the high-horsepower and high-speed characteristics of Lamborghini cars. It is said this emblem reflects founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's bull-like tenacity. Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of Lamborghini S.P.A., along with the early production of sports cars and tractors, embodies the Italian spirit of ambition and determination. Starting from humble beginnings as the son of a farmer, he tirelessly pursued his dream of creating perfect sports cars. His relentless drive and almost fanatical passion brought him to the forefront of the industry. Since then, the stubborn "bull" emblem has come to symbolize all the distinctive traits of Lamborghini—challenging limits, pride, and unrestrained freedom.