The modern man’s new codes – sustainable design, discernment over showy design, personal customisation – when collecting or owning cars.
For decades, luxury car ownership focused on performance measures and brand status. LUXUO explores the “codes” of modern male car collectors, who prioritise innovation, scarcity, discerning design, personal expression, sustainability, and collectability. This year’s most interesting debuts, which include electric SUVs, heritage-inspired limited editions, and speculative designs, demonstrate how the market is recalibrating. These are more than simply cars; they are cultural assets that signal a shift in how the affluent man expresses himself, engages in craftsmanship, and participates in the future of mobility.
Forget pixels. Forget screens. The new Bugatti Tourbillon is a watchmaker-created machine with a spirit that defies the digital age. Its engine is a powerful new 8.3-litre V16, a mechanical marvel. The hybrid system, which has three electric motors, produces a whopping 1,800 horsepower. But you may feel it before you see it. The cockpit is an oasis of analogue creativity, with Swiss-made instrument pods, titanium components, and no huge LCD. This is not just a hypercar to drive; it is a heritage to cherish. It is the sensation of a mechanical timepiece colliding with a sonic boom, a declaration that true luxury is about more than simply speed, but also the soul of the machine. Every glance at the dashboard serves as a reminder that you are piloting a masterpiece, not a soulless computer.
They dubbed it the perfect Grand Tourer for the 1 percent who laugh at baggage. This is the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake, and it represents desire on wheels. To avoid assembly line methods, the firm worked with the famed Italian house Zagato to incorporate its coachbuilding skills into the car’s architecture and interior. It features sculpted haunches, the trademark ‘double-bubble’ roof, and a massive, finely sculpted tailgate made of carbon fibre. It is a moving sculpture, but with a stunning party trick: a practical, leather-lined boot where you can keep your valuable luggage.
Under the interminable bonnet is a fierce, naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12 set to produce 592bhp. It is combined with a rear-mounted 8-speed gearbox for optimal balance, transforming this 500-unit unicorn into a driver’s car rather than a display. The sound is pure mechanical theatre, with a rising snarl reminiscent of an Italian mountain pass. It is a paradox: a practical hypercar and a utilitarian work of art. This is more than just a car; it is a statement about how much you appreciate the journey.
A century of the Phantom is marked by profound substance rather than noisy celebrations. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary is an exclusive car with a statement of continuity. The luxury vehicle is built on the Architecture of Luxury, a framework that ensures the famed silence and smooth ride. A 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 provides power while remaining quiet.
Inside, the emphasis is on legacy. The Starlight Headliner is set to show the exact stars over Sussex on the night that the first Phantom was launched. Bespoke embroideries and open-pore wood embellishments exemplify the brand’s refined aesthetic. This premium car exemplifies a singular standard of luxury that has stood the test of time for 10 decades, remaining true to its objective. It is history, individually commissioned.
The new Porsche Macan GTS EV Turbo Electric transforms the performance SUV. It retains its classic shape and is based on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, designed for superior performance and long range. The EV’s dual electric motors provide 639 horsepower and over 700 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds.
The EV will offer a maximum range of 591 kilometres. The 100-kWh battery can charge at up to 270 kW, providing a significant range in minutes. Porsche uses a rear-axle steering system and the most advanced adaptive air suspension to provide precise control. The inside has the Porsche Driver Experience, which includes a curved display and a head-up display. It is a vehicle that delivers Porsche’s trademark driving qualities, now fully electric.
The Lamborghini Manifesto is not a vehicle for the road. It is a concept whittled down to its essence, a purposeful rejection of complication from the brand’s Centro Stile. Its design is a simple, sculptural statement with an asymmetric shape and a radical, single-seat cockpit.
The technical essence of the Manifesto is a beautiful, constructive collaboration of exposed carbon fibre and aluminium. The car offers a retractable carbon fibre roof and integrated lighting elements that are minimal and chic. The cockpit is minimalist and dominated by a rectangular steering yoke. This vehicle is a physical representation of Lamborghini’s design philosophies, emphasising pure geometry, lightweight materials, and the raw, emotional bond between driver and machine.
The Lexus LS has been reimagined, discarding its sedan shape in favour of a radical new purpose. This proposal transforms the flagship into a six-wheeled MPV, a mobile lounge that embodies the brand’s devotion to Omotenashi hospitality. Its longer wheelbase and extra axle provide a solid, spacious cabin, but the vehicle retains the sophisticated powertrain of the standard LS.
The emphasis switches completely to the internal experience. Passengers enter a peaceful setting via a wide-opening coach door, which features handmade leather upholstery, sustainable wood trim, and individual power seats. The cabin is well-lit thanks to a panoramic glass roof. This is a vehicle that caters to a man who prefers to be the passenger rather than the driver. It reimagines luxury travel as a peaceful, first-class retreat that prioritises comfort and spaciousness over everything else.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric reimagines the midsize luxury SUV for the modern era. Built on the brand’s dedicated electric architecture, it incorporates an 80-kWh battery into its underbody for a low centre of gravity. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers reliable power, producing 255 kW (342 bhp) and 565 Nm of torque for quick reaction.
The car is designed for practicality, with a WLTP range of up to 460 kilometres. Its 170-kW DC fast-charging capabilities enable a 10 to 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes. The interior has the newest MBUX infotainment system within a cabin that prioritises material quality and passenger space. This vehicle combines the expected presence and refinement of a GLC with the effortless performance of electric mobility.
The BMW Skytop is an expression of exclusivity, a limited-production special model distinguished by its distinct silhouette. It has a retractable targa top made of two different carbon fibre panels, which transforms the car from a coupe to an open-air cruiser. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged V8 engine shared with the brand’s most powerful M models, ensuring that performance matches its stunning presence. The vehicle’s front-end styling, including its distinctive grille and lights, is completely new. The interior accommodates unique, high-gloss finishes and luxury leather appointments. The BMW Skytop, designed as a modern interpretation of a classic roadster, caters to a select few who seek a one-of-a-kind, driver-focused experience. It is a handcrafted object of desire that combines BMW’s engineering pedigree with coachbuilt artistry.

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