12 Cars of Christmas

12 Cars of Christmas

As the year 2021 comes to an end we thought it was time to look back and reflect on the top 12 cars we have financed throughout the past 12 months.

We asked our team of finance experts to tell us the cars that worked out best on a finance deal,  as well as their personal favourite they had financed. We’ve also thrown in a few high-profile cars that we have helped to finance, because that’s where the real fun is!

Our Personal Favourites

Audi RS6

Audi RS6

Alex Baldwin chose the Audi RS6, which seems pleasingly old school in the brave new world of hybrids and EVs.

Yes, it still has a 600 horsepower sledgehammer V8 engine under the bonnet, capable of propelling five passengers and their luggage from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Which is important, considering its primary rivals, the Mercedes E 63 S Estate and the BMW M5, also both feature V8s. 

The RS6’s appearance, on the other hand, sets it apart from the rest. The RS6 is low, broad, and exceedingly menacing in the rearview mirror, which is precisely how it should be. Audi’s designers should be knighted immediately for their work. There’s a lot going on here, with gloss black highlights against bright colours and massive alloy wheels.

Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador

Tom Hunt chose the Lamborghini Aventador – one of the most outrageous supercars available. 

The Aventador might look like something Batman would drive on his day off – because it is (The Dark Knight Rises). Below its lairy carbon fibre body lies a normally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine that relies on brute strength and power to produce 740 horsepower.

Similarly, the gearbox in the Lamborghini Aventador isn’t a complex double-clutch device like those found in Ferrari or McLaren. Instead, you’ll receive a robotized manual device that’s smaller and lighter. It’s essentially a traditional manual gearbox with hydraulic levers that take the place of your left hand. 

On the plus side, there’s no clutch to deal with, and gear changes happen faster than you can blink, although it’s not as refined as a DSG box.

But it’s unlikely that you’ll care. Chances are, you’ll be interested in its good looks and the Lamborghini Aventador’s 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds, which is identical to that of a McLaren 720S and the appropriately titled Ferrari 812 Superfast. The Aventador’s grippy four-wheel-drive system and massive tyres help it maintain traction in slick weather.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach

Lou Julian gave the Porsche 911 GT3 RS her vote – one of the most focused and agile cars around. It starts with the already razor-sharp 911 GT3 and cranks it up to about 20 on the extreme road car scale: more power, lower, and brimming with unique chassis components and add-ons.

Without turbos, it’s also the ultimate 911. The GT3 and GT3 RS are still naturally aspirated for more accurate power delivery, a higher rev ceiling, and a distinct, expressive sound. With 513bhp from its four litres, the new GT3 RS is the most powerful naturally aspirated 911 road vehicle ever.

The Weissach pack adds a carbon fibre roof and the option of magnesium wheels to the GT3 RS. Buyers who get the whole package save 29 kilograms, lowering the car’s kerb weight to 1430 kilograms.

Less weight, more speed.

Lamborghini Urus Nero by Urban Automotive

Lamborghini Urus Nero by Urban Automotive

The Lamborghini SUV, what’s not to love? The Urus isn’t the Italian company’s first SUV, either.That was the LM002, which was released in the mid-1980s and had the power but not the handling to match, preferring to be off-road instead.

The Lamborghini Urus on the other hand is a true roadster. It has a 650hp V8 petrol engine, which allows it to go from 0 to 62mph in under 3.6 seconds. In fact, it’s one of the quickest SUVs on the market. If you have the room – and the bottle – it can also exceed 190 mph.

It comes equipped with adjustable air suspension, which allows you to raise and lower the suspension as well as stiffen it for improved handling. If you’re searching for a performance SUV that can manage life off the tarmac as well as on the road the Lamborghini Urus will do that for you.

Tim Marlow chose Urban’s Nero Urus as he loves a high performance SUV with a twist (you should see his Tesla Model X). Urban’s body kit is one of the cleanest and slickest looking aerodynamic packages there is for the Urus in our opinion – it’s beautiful, classy and really does ooze style.

Lamborghini Urus Nero

Best value on finance

These are the cars that our team feel work out really well on finance, usually because they represent good value to buy and have stronger residual values that their rivals.

Porsche 911 GT3

Alex chose the GT3 due to it’s super-strong residuals and sensible monthly payments. Prices are beginning to settle now, as well. 

Porsche 911 GT3

Interested in getting one of these cars on finance? Get a free finance quote using our finance calculator now.

Audi R8 V10 Plus

The Audi R8 belongs to a vanishing breed of supercars. The normally aspirated engine is going out of favour as car manufacturers add turbochargers to fulfil ever-stricter pollution regulations. The R8 is a terrific last gasp in several respects. However, while the 5.2-litre V10 is the car’s centrepiece, the R8 is much more than just a cracking V10. Tom chose the R8 because they are relatively sensibly priced compared to the competition and hold their value well.

Audi R8 V10 Plus

As practical as an Audi TT on a daily basis its simplicity of use would put several superminis to shame. It has lots of traction and grip thanks to Quattro four-wheel drive, but unlike many fast Audis, it’s also fun to drive on track. It’s quick and agile, and the V10 delivers a punch, complete with a thrilling V10 soundtrack, especially if you go for the R8 V10 Performance.

Lou Jullian’s choice:

Ferrari 488 GTB

Ferrari 488 GTB

Ferrari’s 488 GTB is a huge deal. Not only because the 458 Italia and Speciale have been hugely popular but also because it represents a shift in the company’s mid-engined supercar strategy. A smaller, direct-injection 3902cc twin-turbocharged flat-plane-crank V8 replaces the normally aspirated 4.5-litre V8. It’s not just more efficient, but it’s also a lot more powerful.

Ferrari might have blown it by turbocharging the 488 GTB, but it did the exact opposite and created an automotive masterpiece. What the engine lacks in character compared to the old V8 it makes up for with insane performance and drivability. No matter what gear you’re in or how fast you’re driving, the 488 GTB never makes you wait for even a nanosecond when you decide to call on all 661bhp and as much as 560lb-ft of torque.

Tesla Model X

Tesla Model X

Tesla likes to do things differently from other car manufacturers and this can clearly be seen in their technology, production, marketing and sales strategies.

Magnitude has financed many Teslas for clients and we are proud to say that we also run a fleet of 40 Model, S, X and Model 3 with Model Y currently on order  – so we know Tesla pretty well!

The Tesla Model X is marketed as an SUV, although it’s really just a people carrier version of the Model S. This is an electric automobile, much like the S, and it employs identical components, but it’s housed in a more practical body.

As a result, it’s a one-of-a-kind vehicle in today’s market. Sure, you could have a BMW X5 hybrid, Audi Q7 e-tron, or Range Rover P400e, but none of them can equal the Tesla Model X’s on-paper capabilities or turn as many heads. The Tesla Model X makes many non-electric SUVs feel about as high-tech as a VHS tape in a world of 4K ultra-HD TVs, from its show-stopping ‘Falcon Wing’ rear doors that are hinged at the top and lift up, to the 17-inch screen that takes up virtually all of the centre console.

Tim chose the Model X as he now on his second and appreciates the incredible value they offer when financed compared to most other large SUVs.

Most expensive cars

Now…yes we have had fun with the rest of the cars, but the real reason you are here is for the most expensive ones we have funded in 2021. So let’s start with a big one.

Tim has financed quite a few Paganis, and this wasn’t his first Huayra…

Pagani Huayra

Pagani Huayra

Horacio Pagani headed up Lamborghini’s composites department but eventually set up on his own and created the legendary Pagani Zonda. The Huayra followed 2011 –  built of carbon-titanium HP62, a material that’s even lighter and stronger than traditional carbon fibre. The present Huayra is the final model in the series. Even so, Pagani has a history of accommodating requests from private collectors desiring a one-of-a-kind or limited-edition model. The Huayra is a unique and exquisite vehicle, with just 100 manufactured.

Huayra values – approximately £2 – 3million

McLaren Senna

McLaren Senna

The McLaren Senna might be the automobile that its Antipodean founder, Bruce Mclaren was destined to build since he first took up a wrench. The famous British firm has acknowledged and adhered to ‘formula’ rules defining construction principles, materials, engine placement, suspension configuration, tyre footprint, maximum downforce, allowable weight, and more during decades of celebrated motorsport success; occasionally bending one or two in the name of innovation.

The Senna is working on distinct but balanced compromises of habitability, usability, drivability, practicality, comfort – and, of course, exceptional performance and handling dynamics – with its current road vehicles.

But what if there were no rules at all? What if the budget was limitless, and you had access to every relevant racing technology in the toolbox? What if the requirement to make sacrifices in terms of sheer performance was pushed so far to the background that it was barely noticed? We’d love to see what McLaren would build! Alex funded a McLaren Senna for a lucky client – and he’s a big fan.

McLaren Senna values – £600,000 – £1.5m

Tom Hunts prize piece was the Aston Martin Zagato Shooting Brake which he helped to finance for  £700k

Aston Martin Zagato Shooting Brake

Aston Martin Zagato Shooting Brake

Aston Martin and Zagato have collaborated for many years now, resulting in some of the most spectacular automobiles. Few, if any, rival the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake in terms of intrigue and attraction. The Shooting Brake is the fourth and final instalment in a four-part sequence of Zagato cars based on the Vanquish. It’s a high-performance estate car with an unusual and exceptional twist. 

The Zagato Shooting Brake is based on the now-discontinued Mk2 Vanquish and features Aston’s original 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine. This near-600bhp vehicle – 592bhp with 465lb ft of torque, to be exact – can only reach 200mph and dash to 62mph in roughly 3.5sec when paired with an eight-speed ZF paddle-shift Touchtronic III automatic transmission. And just look at it…

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake values – £500,000 – 700,000

Last but certainly not least is The Porsche 918 Spyder which Lou helped to finance. 918s are currently for sale for north of £1million in the UK.

Aston Martin Zagato

A one-of-a-kind hybrid hypercar. Two electric motors and a 9,000rpm 4.6-litre race V8 are housed in a carbon-fibre two-seat roadster chassis. Four-wheel-drive, 875 horsepower, and a staggering 944 pound-feet of torque, with more than half of it accessible at just 800 rpm. Yes, you read that correctly. Nothing compares to the Porsche 918 Spyder.

Not even the other two members of the ‘Holy Trinity,’ the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. The plug-in Porsche is the most hybrid of the three, with a 6.8kWh battery twice the size of the McLaren’s, 282bhp of e-thrust alone, and a 12-mile electric range. On electric power alone, it can reach 62 mph in just over six seconds which is pretty good for a hybrid.

That was a long one right? Well it’s been a very busy year for Magnitude and we could go on and on about our favourites in every different category but we would literally be here for days. 

Let us know what you think of these cars and which one is your overall favourite.
If you are thinking of financing a car in the new year, then get a free finance calculation and quote now by using our bespoke finance calculator or contact us and one of our sales team will get back to you!