The Best Countries for Exotic Car Enthusiasts - Henderson Edition

Germany

From precision engineering to automotive giants such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, Germany is home to the world’s leading petrolheads. The Autobahn, the world’s premiere high-speed highway, even has stretches with no speed limit – and some of the world’s best race tracks. Munich’s BMW Welt and Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Museum are places where people can dive into the world of German automotive perfection, while the Frankfurt Motor Show, every September since 1897, is the hallowed event of the year for the world’s car crazies.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE, and in particular Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is associated with opulence and luxury cars. The streets are filled with supercars and hypercars, from all over the world. The Yas Marina Circuit on Abu Dhabi Island offers driving experiences on the Formula 1 Grand Prix track. And Dubai plays host to the Dubai International Motor Show, a major industry exhibition of the latest vehicles. The roads around the Emirates provide a dramatic setting for driving, with the urban luxury sitting in stark contrast to the vast open deserts.

United States

The US offers many various exotic car experiences. California, with 300 days of sunshine per year, ideally is the place to own an exotic car. The views of the Pacific Ocean along the Pacific Coast Highway make for the ultimate drive. And, much of the car culture in the US revolves around the culture of owners in California. The LA Auto Show is one of the most important car shows in the world and it is held in Los Angeles. There are exotic car dealerships all around Los Angeles. And, much of the culture of owning exotic cars deals with the LA scene. Same goes for Florida. The streets in many parts of Florida, especially Miami, are full of exotic car owners. And, the US has the best tracks in the world to race on: Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA; Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA; Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL; all of these are mega racetracks.

Japan

While the Japanese car industry is not as strong as it once was, many of the world’s best cars are still produced there, and the purity of the car remains a core value in Japan. The Japanese car culture marries the traditional and the cutting edge. Lexus, Nissan and Toyota build cars with reputations almost as strong as the Germans. Hard-core examples import the best bits of the German brands and add their own finesses to create cars taking on the European exotics. And outside the cities, there are winding mountain roads to be explored, such as the ones around Hakone, where Japan’s original super-car, the Nissan Skyline, was driven by racing drivers in the 1960s. Tokyo’s Daikoku Parking Area is world-famous with car enthusiasts for the car-meets which take place every Friday and Saturday night. The annual Tokyo Auto Salon is a giant trade show for the car industry, attracting hordes of mainland Chinese tourists, not unlike their western counterparts who flock to the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.

Switzerland

 Switzerland might not be the first car enthusiast’s thought when it comes to exotic cars, but it has something to offer. The Swiss roads are well maintained and the alpine scenery breathtaking, so Europe’s continent offers a great experience of driving exotic cars and sport cars. The precision and luxury Swiss culture tends to attract exotic cars and gives Switzerland the vibe of a country filled with luxury cars. The Geneva International Motor Show is one of the most luxurious automotive events in the world, featuring exotic cars and the latest luxury models. The Furka Pass in the Swiss Alps is one of the most scenic routes to drive over.

Monaco

For many people, Monaco is synonymous with luxury and exclusivity on the French Riviera is a playground of the wealthy and famous, with its streets dominated by some of the most exclusive cars in the world. The Monaco Grand Prix is raced on the streets of Monte Carlo and is one of the most famous Formula 1 races and a highlight of any car enthusiast’s calendar. The annual Top Marques Monaco show is a chance to see some of the most exotic cars in the world, with many pieces available to test drive.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has long been one of the great centers of the automotive world, and has several great motoring marques of which to be proud, including Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren and Rolls-Royce, not to mention the iconic Mini. In addition, there are scenic countryside roads and historic circuits such as Silverstone. Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival attract the great and the good of those who care for exotic and classic cars. Meanwhile, the streets of London are filled with luxury cars, especially in Knightsbridge and Mayfair.