Published: Tuesday, 17 Sep 2013 | 5:44 AM ET
By: Yousef Gamal El-Din | Anchor, CNBC (EMEA)
465
4
Share
Photographer | Yousef Gamal El-Din
Supercars are very common on the wide, state-of-the-art highways of Dubai. But a new record-breaking Lamborghini, made out of gold and gems, is sure to turn heads.
Carved out of a 500-kilogram block of solid gold, the finished model contains 25 kilograms of the precious metal. Starting price for the eventual auction is set at $7.5 million, of which $650,000 will go to charity, according to the manufacturer’s website.
Precious metals and gemstones on the car are valued by the seller at $2.64 million. The custom model of the Lamborghini Aventador LP-700-4, crafted at a scale of 1:8 by RGE Robert Gulpen Engineering in Germany, is making its first appearance outside of Europe.
(Read more: Dubai police adds $1.4 million supercar to its fleet)
Labeled as the world’s most expensive model car in the world, it’s missing most of the motoring specifications car enthusiasts appreciate it for. The full-sized car is a beast under the hood, with a V12 engine producing 700 bhp that will take you from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds. Automotive journalists have been especially intrigued by its fighter-jet resembling design contours, which has led to one-on-one showdown on various airfields.
Another caveat is that the model has not actually been made yet (to allow for individual customers preferences). The one on display, in line with the rather lax security around the Dubai showroom in a visit on Tuesday morning, is a prototype.
Play Video
Gold Lamborghini: Yours for $7.5 million
On sale in Dubai this Lamborghini is carved out of a 500-kilogram block of solid gold.
Although not made for the road, it does come with three entries in the Guinness Book of World Records, including the most expensive model car, the most secure showcase (featuring bulletproof glass) and the most luxurious logo.
The company says the model car "is indeed a very sound investment in precious metals and gemstones," with "enormous potential for this value to increase significantly".
(Read more: Worth their weight? Dubai offers dieters gold for shedding pounds)
Buying 25 kilograms of gold outright would come in at just under $1.2 million dollars at current prices.
A Lamborghini spokesperson in Dubai told CNBC that in the one week it’s been on display, there have yet to be any expressions of interest from potential buyers. Arguably, the real Aventador right beside the small gold-plated prototype model makes for a compelling distraction.
—By CNBC’s Yousef Gamal El-Din. Follow him on Twitter @youseftv
