Why Are Lamborghinis So Expensive? - Grunge

• History

Why Are Lamborghinis So Expensive? By Tom Meisfjord Updated: March 27, 2020 12:17 pm EST Ina Fassbender/Getty Images

There are a few inanimate objects which, when spotted in the wild, hold the high-class, semi-mythic air of, say, a mustachioed UFO or a Wendigo in a floor-length evening dress. Few in number, they are instantly recognizable as the hallmarks of success and affluence beyond the means of most: Private planes. French bulldogs wearing custom Yeezy Boosts. Visits to the doctor's office. In other words, things only rich people could afford.

And, perhaps the chief example, the humble Lamborghini. Lightning-fast, objectively more than cool, and the primary indicator of a budding young jerk when gifted as a Sweet 16 present, the Lamborghini is the automotive spirit animal of the modern Gatsby. Kanye drives one. Batman uses one to get around when he's working his day job. You know who doesn't drive one? In all likelihood, anyone that you know. What is it about these feats of vehicular engineering exceptionalism that puts them outside of the budget of the everyman?

If you have to ask, you can't afford it

Chris Ricco/Getty Images

The number one reason that Lamborghinis and other luxury cars are expensive is that they're created in such limited numbers. They describe it as "something of a self-feeding cycle," stating that producing a small run of any high-end product creates scarcity and an environment of exclusivity, per Automotive News Europe. They've also got a storied history.

Of course, there are material factors as well. Lamborghinis utilize high-end materials and state-of-the-art mechanical components. And they're all handmade. The Lamborghini Aventador S features a 729 horsepower V12 engine. That's roughly half as much horsepower as you'll find in an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, and the thing doesn't even have to haul a cannon.

Which isn't to say that there aren't accessories available. Just like every other car purchase, where they really get you is with the undercoating, figuratively speaking. Supercar Pro states that the typical current Lamborghini comes with a price of about $200,000 to $400,000, but adding something as simple as a stereo system can bump the bill up by thousands.

Recommended