When I was younger, me and my father used to visit car dealerships in search of the newest models. Little did I know that well into my ’30s I would fall victim to the same habit, although this time the dealers are full of exotics instead of mainstream cars. One of the best places for a window shopping spree is Swan Street in Melbourne, which is home to a supercar galore.
Within less than 250 m (820 feet) of tarmac, you’ll come across the local Ferrari, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Pagani, McLaren, and Lamborghini dealerships from the Zagame Automotive Group, plus the independent Maserati dealer. All these combined have enough inventory to surpass the appeal of an international auto show and make bystanders stand in awe.
I originally discovered the unbelievable variety of visual stimulations rather unexpectedly, while riding my bike to work a few years ago. Coming back to Australia, I knew I had to return to Swan Street in Richmond, which is probably the most supercar-dense place Down Under, excluding the garages of a few high-profile private collectors. So hop on the CarScoops bus and let’s explore the hidden gems of the aforementioned dealers, starting some red cars from Maranelo.
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Ferrari Melbourne
Unsuspecting pedestrians passing by the front windows of the Ferrari Melbourne dealership are greeted by some of the stars of the current range, including the much-talked-about Purosangue, a trio of 296 GTB/Spider models, and the SF90 Stradale (unfortunately not the hardcore SF90 XX) highlighting the electrification journey of the Italian brand. This was the first time I saw a 296 in real life, and I have to admit it looks more attractive in person due to its sculpted body and sexy curves on the rear deck.
As for the Purosangue, while it’s probably unfair it has to share the room with its low-slung Ferrari siblings, it is probably the sportiest and most exotic SUV ever made. Despite being jokingly associated with mainstream models like the Toyota Crown Sport and the Mazda CX-30 by online commenters, the truth is that the Purosangue’s proportions make rival SUVs look twice as heavy and bulky in comparison.
Right in front of the main entrance, there is a black Roma that catches your eye despite being the cheapest offering in the current Ferrari lineup. The red Portofino parked next to it was recently discontinued in favor of the Roma Spider but still looks nice. Further back, we find two lightly used but pristine-looking 812 GTS models from the Ferrari Approved program, a couple of 488 Pistas (coupe and spider) and a silver Purosangue. There was no sign of the 812 Competizione although I came across one on my way back home.
Ferrari Melbourne
The surrounding rooms and offices are decorated with Ferari memorabilia, accentuating the “dream garage” atmosphere. However, what is even more impressive is what I saw on the first floor of the dealership, which made me shudder. The full lineup of Maranello flagships including the 288 GTO, the F40, the F50, the Enzo, and the La Ferrari is a sight to behold. This group is probably the best representation of how Ferrari evolved throughout the years, making our appetite for the next chapter that is about to be written in 2024.
After staring at my childhood heroes for a few minutes and admiring the topless nature of the underrated Ferrari F50, I turned around to check out a few more classics – the 512 TR, the Daytona, and a Dino GT in a stunning brown shade. The first floor also had a more recent 612 Scaglietti with a special bi-tone livery, an F12, an 812 Superfast, and a few other exotics from other brands, although nothing could compete with the five-car group occupying the space next to the windows.
Ferraris might not be a rare sight in Melbourne, but such a gathering only happens in the annual Ferrari Parade during the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Still, as much as I loved being around them, I had to move to the next dealer.
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Lamborghini Melbourne
And what better way to continue the journey than visiting Ferrari’s biggest rival: Lamborghini. The Sant’Agata brand is currently going through big changes, with its entire lineup going PHEV-only starting from 2024. The V12-powered Revuelto is the undeniable star of the show but unfortunately, I missed the local debut of the model by a few weeks. As a result, and until the first customer Revueltos land on Australian soil in the third quarter of 2024, visitors at Lamborghini Melbourne will have to settle with a Huracan and Urus inventory.
The Lamborghini Huracan might be sold out as we’re waiting for its electrified successor to arrive this year, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the STO and the Tecnica still look striking, especially when they’re parked side by side. The shiny bright yellow of the pictured Huracan STO is a fitting choice for such a bizarre-looking beast, contrasting the dark-finished wheels and oversized aero components. On the other hand, the full-black Huracan Tecnica looks subtle in comparison, although I prefer the looks of its sculpted rear bumper that leaves a portion of the wide tires uncovered.
To be honest, the set of Lamborghini Urus SUVs parked next to the second STO didn’t have enough visual charisma to steal my attention from the Aventador SVJ that was sitting in the service area of the dealer. Unfortunately, I couldn’t include that in the gallery as it was a customer vehicle.
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McLaren Melbourne
Saying goodbye to Lamborghini a bit is easier when the neighboring dealership is McLaren. The bright colors of the British supercar maker steal the show, with two units of the GT occupying the front spots. McLaren has already presented its successor – the GTS – although despite the improvements in the specs, it looks more like a subtle facelift so it will be hard to tell the difference. In any case, the Grand Tourer is the least aggressive-looking model in the McLaren lineup, which is not necessarily a bad thing for its target audience.
In the middle section, there were two examples of the plug-in hybrid McLaren Artura because one is never enough. The styling of the new model has matured compared to its predecessor, as proven by the direct comparison with the white 570S Spider that was parked nearby. I like the slimmer lighting units, the more sculpted tail, and the exotic flying buttresses, but the shape of the side intakes kind of reminds me of the Lotus Emira.
Last but not least, a green 720S Spider helped us notice the subtle visual updates on the strategically improved 750S Coupe which was squeezed at the back of the dealership. This particular example featured exposed carbon fiber bits (hood, roof, and rear bumper) against a light purple shade, with the gold-finished wheels making it the most eye-catching piece of machinery in the entire room.
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Maserati Melbourne
After this supercar crescendo, I headed over to Maserati intending to check out the gorgeous MC20 from up close. Thankfully there were three examples of the mid-engined model sitting around, in yellow, black, and white shades. The flagship offering of the Trident brand impressed me with its clean lines, balanced proportions, and exotic touches like the upwards-opening doors and the visible carbon-fiber monocoque. The spec with the yellow exterior, diamond-cut 20-inch wheels, and Alcantara interior is probably the nicest of the bunch, highlighting the timeless design of the V6-powered supercar.
Unfortunately, the current inventory didn’t include the new Maserati GranTurismo. As a result, the rest of the showroom floor was dominated by SUVs. The entry-level Grecale is not doing it for me as I prefer the design of the mechanically-related Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. However, the Levante retains its appeal despite being in the sunset of its career. A special Levante Modena caught my eye thanks to a unique-looking shade that is hard to describe – I couldn’t find it in the official configurator so it must be an option from the Maserati Fuoriserie personalization program. Finally, the decade-old Ghibli sedan was present in the flagship Trofeo trim with the now-discontinued V8 under the hood.
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Aston Martin Melbourne
The next stop in our exciting journey is a single dealership representing three exotic brands – Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Pagani. On my first visit, I was greeted by an Aston Martin DB12 finished in a stunning Satin Aston Martin Racing Green shade. The DB12 might be an extensive facelift of its DB11 predecessor, but the completely redesigned face and the overhauled interior help it create a distinct character.
The rest of the place was crowded with several examples of the performance-focused DBX707. The prominent aero and the massive grille of the SUV communicate the 697 hp (520 kW / 707 PS) of the AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, creating a proper rival for the Lamborghini Urus. However, the rarest model in the room was a V12 Vantage Roadster which is limited to 249 units. This one featured the optional rear wing complementing the carbon fiber bits that were sticking out of the bodywork. The highlight of course is the bulged hood making room for Aston Martin’s own 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 which is good for 690 hp (515 kW / 700 PS).
This number might be impressive for a front-engined rear-wheel-drive sportscar, but it can’t match the 760 hp (566 kW / 770 PS) of the V12-powered DBS 770 Ultimate that I came across on my second visit. This grand touring beast is limited to 499 units (300 Coupes and 199 Volantes) which were already sold out before the unveiling – as is the case with the pictured example. Another notable exhibit was a humble V8 Vantage Coupe painted in a very shiny silver shade transforming it into a head turner.
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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Melbourne
Besides the group of Aston Martins, the ground floor of the dealership also had a Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan. The white SUV with the black accents and the orange line on the profile looked like a heavy piece of expensive furniture when compared to the sculpted DBX707. With the Cullinan set to receive a facelift this year, I headed over to the first floor to check out the other members of the Rolls-Royce family.
Thankfully, a brand-new Rolls-Royce Spectre was included in the inventory, giving me a chance to admire it from up close. The first fully electric production model from Goodwood looks massive in person, but its sheer size doesn’t take away from its graciousness. The 23-inch wheels, the high beltline, the clean surfacing, and the stretched proportions of the 5,453 mm (214.7 inches) long model make it one of the most opulent two-door coupes in the world. Details like the slim headlights, the white-faced taillights, and the yacht-style rear bumper help it stand out from the discontinued Wraith, while the amount of brightware around the bodywork feels just right.
The Spectre was parked in a special room behind curtains, with the ambient roof lighting adding up to its appeal. A peek inside the cabin revealed the attention to detail and the extremely high level of craftsmanship that justify the starting price of AU$770,000 ($525,000) Down Under. Of course, that number can easily increase further if you get carried away with the unlimited personalization options. Some of those were exhibited on the walls of the adjacent room, including different kinds of leather, beautiful wood veneers, and plenty of exterior and interior finishes.
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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Melbourne
The zero-emission model was joined by the traditional V12-powered sedans Rolls-Royce – the Ghost and the recently facelifted Phantom Series II. The new Ghost represents a big step forward compared to its predecessor, moving away from BMW parts to Rolls-Royce’s own Architecture of Luxury. The white example of the 5,545 mm (218.3 inches) long sedan was the more potent Black Badge Ghost, which is probably the sportiest and most aggressive-looking Rolls-Royce currently offered for sale.
And that leads us to the flagship Rolls-Royce Phantom with a road presence that is hard to match from any other vehicle in the world. This particular Series II rides on the new 22-inch disc wheels, which look like a fitting option for its opulent style. The funny thing is that right next to the 5,762 mm (226.9 inches) long Phantom, there was a Bugatti Baby II from The Little Car Company looking tiny in comparison. This meticulously crafted scaled-down version of the legendary Bugatti Type 35 was designed to be driven by kids, although I am sure I could squeeze in one if I had the chance.
Pagani of Melbourne
The last model we checked out is probably the most expensive of the bunch, a Huayra coming with an eye-watering price tag of AU$6 million (US$4 million) and being locked in a special room as a customer vehicle waiting to be delivered. It might not be the newest model from Horacio Pagani’s atelier as this title goes to the Utopia, but the Huayra is still special enough to deserve a story of its own. Stay tuned for more photos and videos of its exposed carbon body, red leather interior, and AMG-sourced V12.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of the Swan Street dealers in Melbourne. Let us know which of the above models would you like to drive home, considering you had an unlimited budget for your vacation in Australia.
A big thanks to Zagame Automotive Group (Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Pagani dealerships) and the factory-owned Maserati Melbourne for kindly showing us around their premises and allowing us to take photographs of their inventories.
