From one-off gold masterpieces to future-generation electrification, upscale automakers are upping the ante in 2025. Get ready, set, and let’s go!
Rolls-Royce’s extremely limited-edition Phantom Goldfinger Edition is a Bond-inspired luxury-drenched movie set jewel, and Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 is an ultra-low-run combination of sport and selectivity with just three examples conceived globally. Bentley Continental GT Speed combines hybrid frugality with grand tourer opulence, and Cadillac’s Optiq EV is a thoughtful, well-rounded contender in the premium electric category. Whether you’re attracted to classic sophistication or cutting-edge chic, these top-of-the-line cars are the future of luxury on four wheels.
1.Rolls-Royce Goldfinger Phantom:
This single-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom Goldfinger Edition is a sumptuously ultra-luxurious tribute to the iconic Bond bad guy, combining movie nostalgia and stunning bespoke styling. Derived from the Phantom Extended model, it offers outstanding rear-seat room—perfect for the devoted 007 fan who had it made, and their devoted sidekick. The interior is finished with golden trim all over, from seat bottoms to the glove box. At its core is a hidden vault inside the centre console, displaying an 18-karat gold Speed form model. A putter of gold mounted under the trunk lid is a nod to Bond and Goldfinger’s first meeting. Even the picnic tables at the rear contain 22-karat gold inlays looking like a make-believe map of Fort Knox, linking to the movie’s theme.
Although the body is not made of solid gold, the appearance includes homages to Goldfinger’s famous 1937 Phantom III, including a diligent two-tone colour scheme and an 18-karat gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy. The Starlight Headliner, handcrafted, elevates the experience to unprecedented levels with 719 gold-toned stars aligned to replicate the exact night sky above Switzerland’s Furka Pass, offering not just illumination, but a vista straight from the silver screen.
2.Mercedes-Maybach SL 680
The SL 680 Monogram Series two-door convertible is the most dynamic Maybach ever constructed—and the sole two-seater ever to proudly bear the Maybach badge. This limited-edition Mercedes-Maybach combines performance and luxury with dramatic visual touches. At the front, the iconic illuminated vertical slat grille conveys presence, while chrome-trimmed bumpers tone down the car’s aggressive stance. Its Obsidian Black finish is also set apart by an understated pattern of Maybach logos running from the bonnet to the roof, giving it a distinctly bespoke feel.
Purchasers have the option of two body colour schemes outside- White and Red, and can pick from two 21-inch alloy wheels, such as an aerodynamic five-spoke Monoblock design that brings sophistication. Under the bonnet, the SL 680 Monogram has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 585 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. With a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it delivers a silky-smooth blend of power and precision. The result? A blistering 0–100 km/h acceleration of just 4.1 seconds, making this Maybach not only luxurious but also fast.
3.Bentley Continental GT Speed:
The 2025 Bentley Continental GT marks a new era for the legendary grand tourer with a plug-in hybrid system that combines power, efficiency, and luxury. On a fully charged battery, the Continental GT reports 47 miles of all-electric range, short of the EPA-estimated 50 miles but more than sufficient for most daily excursions. The vehicle can motor silently on electric power up to 87 mph, although stepping on the gas hard will bring the gas engine online for added vigour. Performance is still a Bentley trademark. The GT Speed accelerates authoritatively and stops with confidence. But it trails its W-12 predecessors slightly in handling, posting lower skid pad (0.84 g) and figure-eight test (24.5 seconds) times than the last model’s 0.85 g and 23.8 seconds.
Powering the 2025 GT is a potent hybrid set: a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 backed by a 188-hp, 332 lb-ft permanent-magnet electric motor located within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Together, they produce a staggering 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, making this Continental GT the most potent despite embracing electrification.
4.2025 Cadillac Optiq:
Beneath its stylish skin, the Cadillac Optiq’s all-wheel-drive dual-motor arrangement—comprising a front-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PSM) and a rear-mounted induction motor—is not only one-of-a-kind; it’s tactical. The continuously operating front-mounted PSM is supplemented only by the rear-mounted induction motor when additional traction or power is required.
Interestingly, rivals Mercedes and Audi turn this setup on its head, placing the PSM at the back, while Cadillac’s forward-reaching approach adds a key advantage: improved stability during regenerative braking. It’s a minor but meaningful differentiation that shows smart engineering. The Optiq makes 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque at peak, putting it dead in the middle of the class for output, behind the Audi, but well-positioned overall. Official performance figures have yet to be released, but first reactions suggest a 0–60 mph time of about 5.2 seconds. To its attractions comes the Optiq’s extended wheelbase, not only contributing to its elegant, stretched silhouette but also accommodating room for an industry-leading 85.0-kWh battery pack—the largest of its kind in the segment, with competitive range and capability.
