Every year, a slew of new special-edition models roll out at the various auto shows around the world. The majority of these models are pretty much forgettable, but there are always a few that stick in our minds. Today, we take a look back through all of the special-edition cars revealed in 2015 and picked out our 10 favorite.
Ford Mustang GT King Edition
While it is not a special edition directly from Ford, the Mustang GT King Edition deserves to lead this list. Petty’s Garage took a standard Mustang GT and added a Ford Performance supercharger to push its output to 670 horsepower. Other mods include a set of TrakPak Ford Performance half shafts, three-way adjustable front and rear sway bars, a new rear axle, custom 20-inch wheels, a cold-air intake, a custom engine tune, and a Magnaflow single-exit exhaust.
Petty’s Garage will produce just 300 examples of the King Edition Mustang, and it starts from $67,495.
BMW M4 GTS
When BMW first revealed the concept version of the M4 GTS, we all took notice, but feared it may never be nearly as cool in production. Well, here it is, and it is just as awesome as the concept version.
With 493 horsepower, a Nurburgring lap time of 7 minutes and 28 seconds, a 3.7-second sprint to 60 mph, and a 189.5 mph top speed, there is no way we could keep it off this list. What’s more, this model will be very limited here in the U.S., with only 300 units available on this side of the pond.
Bentley Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series
With so many special-edition Bentleys available, it is easy to just pass them up. The Speed Breitling Jet Team Series Continental GT, however, stuck in our minds as one of the coolest of the past year.
This limited-run Conti GT pays homage to the Breitling Jet Team with a color scheme that mimics that of the L-39 Albatros Jets. The body is painted in a two-tone Hallmark and Onyx scheme with yellow accents. Inside, the tribute continues with the seven Breitling jets painted on the carbon-fiber dash applique.
What really sets this lineup of limited models apart is its exclusivity, as only seven units will see production, one for each of the Breitling team’s jets.
BMW 435i ZHP Coupe
BMW was on a roll all year, revealing multiple special editions. One that caught our attention was the 435i ZHP Coupe.
This model rolls in with all sorts of go-fast and handle-better bits. These include the Track Handling Package, an M Performance limited-slip diff, the M Performance engine kit that adds 35 horsepower and 32 pound-feet of torque, the M Performance air-intake system, an M Performance exhaust, the M Performance aerodynamics package, and more.
As if the performance bits weren’t enough, BMW is limiting this model to just 100 units.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition
The Lancer Evolution was the last remaining cool car in Mitsubishi’s lineup, and the automaker has chosen to eliminate the model following the 2015 model year. With this comes a special-edition model that celebrates its final run known as the Final Edition.
This special model is limited to just 1,600 units here in the U.S., and each version comes with a retuned 2.0-liter engine that pumps out 303 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, which are gains of 12 horsepower and 5 pound-feet of torque over the standard Lancer Evo.
This rally-ready buggy also features a handful of aesthetic upgrades, like “Final Edition” badges, a black-painted aluminum roof, Enkei alloy wheels, gloss-black accents on the bumper and hood vents, and a dark-chrome grille surround.
Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
Superveloce models are nothing new to Lamborghini, but this year, the automaker spread the iconic moniker to its Aventador model.
As with all Superveloce models, the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce fist underwent some extensive weight reduction. Thanks to strategic use of carbon fiber on the door panels, rockers, rear wing, air intakes and fenders, lightweight bucket seats, and elimination of the infotainment system, this special model sheds 110 pounds.
Behind the seats, Lambo also did some work to its 6.5-liter V-12 powerplant. Specifically, it bumped its horsepower from 700 to 750. This power boost drops the Aventador’s 0-to-60 time from 2.9 seconds to just 2.8 seconds, and pushes its top speed over the base model’s 217 mph mark.
Lamborghini will limit this car to just 600 units worldwide.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport HST Limited Edition
At the 2015 New York Auto Show, Land Rover released a new special-edition Range Rover to sit between the Range Rover Sport’s 340- and 550-horsepower versions. This model, known as the Range Rover Sport HST Limited Edition does just that with its 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that’s good for 380 horsepower.
On top of its power boost, the Range Rover Sport HST Limited Edition also gains darkened headlights and taillights, a Santorini Black-contrast roof, a spoiler, dark-satin-grey 21-inch wheels, and gloss-black badges. Inside the cabin, this model gets Oxford leather, a contrasting dashboard, Ebony door trims, center console and headliner, and more.
Mercedes-Benz SL Mille Miglia 417
In celebration of the 300 SL winning the sports car segment of the 1955 Mille Miglia, Mercedes Benz created a special edition SL Mille Miglia 417. This model is based upon the SL550, which means it carries a huge punch thanks to its 429-horsepower V-8 engine.
What sets this model apart is are its red highlights on the front spoiler lip and the rear spoiler that contrast its Matte Carbon exterior hue. Also included in this package are red brake calipers and AMG performance wheel with red surrounds.
The interior has its own share of special bits, like the embossed headrests, red armrests, seatbelts and accents, s Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel, Matte Carbon-finish interior trim, and red-edged floor mats with “1000 Miglia” embroidery.
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition
The Aston Martin Vantage is one of the sexiest sports cars in the world, and the automaker chose to pay homage to its racing roots with a special-edition GT3 version. This model comes with the same 6.0-liter V-12 engine as the Vantage S, but Aston cranks its wick from 573 PS (565 horsepower) to 600 PS (592 horsepower).
On top of the power gains, the new GT3 loses 100 kg (220 pounds) by way of carbon-fiber front wings, roof, hood, and door casings. Also chipping in on the weight loss are the optional polycarbonate windows and lithium-ion battery. Inside, this special Vantage features a carbon-fiber center stack and sports seats, and Alcantara seats.
Aston Martin will offer only 100 examples of this awesome sports car.
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Club Coupe
Porsche is one of the few European automakers that is not obsessed with special-edition models, but it does release them every now and again. In 2015, it introduced a special version of the 911 Carrera GTS that pays homage to the Porsche Club of America’s 60th anniversary.
This model, which is limited to just 60 units, comes with the body of the Carrera, which is 44 mm wider than the standard Carrera, SportDesign side mirrors, black-framed bi-xenon headlights, tinted taillights, and coated in a Club Blau hue that Porsche created just for this model.