And those are not the only displays of the magnificence of the first Middle Eastern supercar in history. Its carbon fiber structure provides the greatest possible lightness, although some added weight comes from the inclusion of a gold-plated ceiling, or the numerous inserts and details finished in platinum, a metal that also appears in the headlights.
This level of extravagance and opulence so common among powerful Arab sheiks overshadows the remarkable performance of the Lykan Hypersport. The über luxurious vehicle does not detract from other similar supercars: its interior hides a six cylinder engine —based on a boxer from Porsche—that develops a total of 750 hp maximum power and 1,000 Nm of torque. This engine transmits power to all four wheels through an automatic gearbox in a six-speed sequential.
Although not the most powerful, the Lykan Hypersport can feel at home among the speediest supercars on the planet. It accelerates from rest to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and takes just 9.4 seconds to reach 125 mph. Furthermore, it can reach up to 245 mph, ranking among the fastest models of the day.
As if all these were not enough, the Lykan Hypersport has recently acquired a controversial reputation, thanks to a cameo role in the latest installment of the Fast & Furious saga, set in Dubai. The stunning supercar darts between two skyscrapers in the emirate, after being pushed by a bazooka missile.
The Hypersport is truly a unique car. Its extreme luxury can be costly, as noticed in its price tag. W Motors is asking more than three million dollars for each of the seven units in this limited production. For those willing to accept the expense, the Lebanese company is already working on a future Supersport, with a price that exceeds 1.5 million, and a more affordable SUV, with a price starting at $250,000. ■