What Makes a Car Exotic?

 Posted on January 30, 2025 in Exotic Car Maintenance

Perhaps you have wondered what makes an exotic car exotic. While exotic cars may also be considered luxury cars, the opposite is not necessarily true. Luxury cars are outfitted with premium features and amenities to provide the highest level of comfort possible. While exotic cars also prioritize comfort, there are added benefits like flashy design, high-performance engines, cutting-edge technology, super speed, and more.

Those who purchase an exotic car are likely looking for much more than transportation. Under the "umbrella" of exotic cars, you will find brands like Maserati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferarri, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, and Lotus. All of these exotic cars deliver the best of the best – meticulous engineering and design, along with unrivaled performance.

 We offer superior, full-service repair and maintenance services for those who own an exotic car. For those considering an exotic car, we offer pre-purchase inspections. Your exotic car will benefit from the skills and knowledge of our Northern Virginia expert vehicle technicians.   

What Does "Exotic" Really Mean?

On the face of it, "exotic" translates to most of us as fast, flashy, and expensive. While this definition is not necessarily untrue, an exotic car can also be a 1960 concept car with superior performance and technology for the time, but it does not begin to compare to today’s performance and technology. There are some generally accepted "standards" for exotic cars, including:

• An exotic car is highly customized, perhaps even built by hand.
• An exotic car can be one that takes us back to a cultural turning point.
• Exotic cars are usually at least somewhat limited in supply.
• An older vehicle can be considered an exotic car if it has historical relevance or points to automotive industry achievements.
• Most exotic cars have high-performance engines with superior horsepower.
• Exotic cars, as a whole, tend to require more vehicle maintenance and repairs than your average car. This can be due to rare materials and highly customized parts, which require a mechanic with specialized knowledge.
• Unique design is a hallmark of exotic cars, usually head-turners with sporty profiles. 
• The price tag generally sets exotic cars apart from other vehicles. The cost is tied to the use of high-performance, rare materials when constructing the vehicles and their rarity, which increases what people are willing to pay.

Exotic Cars Throughout History

In the 1950s, European race cars came to the United States, where Americans were enchanted by the tubular frame chassis and gull doors. By the 1960s, American auto manufacturers began creating their own everyday-driving vehicles that were also race cars—but limited the supply of these vehicles to make them more desirable. The V-12 engine with superior performance capabilities was one of the hallmarks of these American-made exotic cars.

By the 1970s, exotic car manufacturers focused on traction, adding wide wheels and wings to their designs. In the 1980s, they added lightweight carbon fiber materials, all-wheel drive systems, and turbocharged engines. By the 1990s, the higher production of exotic cars made them a bit more affordable.

Unlike the mini-vans, SUVs, sedans, and trucks that we mostly see on the roadways today, an exotic car is one that you rarely see. Exotic cars stop you in your tracks and require a closer look. They bring the dream of one day owning such a car and may even require a selfie with the exotic car to send to friends.   

Contact a Washington, D.C. Exotic Car Maintenance and Repair Expert

If you already own an exotic car, you know it has specialized maintenance and repair needs. A Baltimore, MD exotic car maintenance and repair expert from Rosso Service can ensure your car gets the attention and care it needs from specially trained technicians. Come tour our state-of-the-art facility today, then call 410-638-2886 to schedule your maintenance or service appointment.