Every year, the city of Miami plays host to one of the most exciting events in the world of luxury cars. ModaMiami, now in its third year, is a four-day celebration of the finest automobiles ever made. The event is a collaboration between two of the most respected names in the auction world: Sotheby's and RM Sotheby's. It takes place at the iconic Biltmore hotel in Coral Gables, and it brings together collectors, enthusiasts, and buyers from around the world.
ModaMiami is more than just an auction. Over the course of four days, guests can enjoy fine dining, live entertainment, and exclusive design exhibitions. But the real highlight is the cars themselves — a carefully chosen selection of rare and beautiful vehicles, some of them among the most sought-after in the world.
This year's auction includes a number of classic cars from private collections, as well as several modern supercars from the early 2020s. Below, we take a closer look at three of the most exciting lots on offer — cars that represent the very best of what modern engineering and design can achieve.
2023 Ferrari 812 Competizione A
For many people, Ferrari represents the ultimate in sports car excellence. And when it comes to the most thrilling Ferrari experience of all, few things compare to an open-top car powered by a naturally-aspirated V12 engine — meaning an engine that breathes freely without the help of a turbocharger, producing a raw and powerful sound that has become one of Ferrari's most recognisable features.
The 812 Competizione A is one of the finest examples of this tradition. The "A" in its name stands for Aperta, which is Italian for "open" — a reference to its removable roof. It was developed as the open-top version of the 812 Competizione, and it builds on that car's already impressive performance with improved aerodynamics and a more powerful engine.
At the time it was released, this was Ferrari's most powerful naturally-aspirated V12 ever, producing 819 horsepower. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.85 seconds — faster than almost anything else on the road. Carbon fibre, a very strong and very light material, is used throughout the body of the car, including the removable roof panel.
The car being offered at auction is finished in Rosso Corsa — Ferrari's signature racing red — with a silver stripe running along the body. Inside, the seats are trimmed in a combination of red and black Alcantara fabric, with the iconic Ferrari Prancing Horse logo carefully embroidered into the material, alongside the Italian flag. The interior also features carbon fibre details, a high-quality audio system, and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
What makes this car especially rare is the way it was sold. Ferrari produced only 599 examples and offered them exclusively to a small, hand-selected group of their most loyal clients — meaning it was not available for the general public to buy at all. The car presented here has been driven just 80 miles, making it essentially brand new. It comes with its original sales documentation, a car cover, and various accessories.
For anyone looking to own a modern piece of Ferrari history, this is a truly exceptional opportunity.
2020 McLaren Speedtail
The McLaren Speedtail is a car that was designed with one goal above all others: to go as fast as possible in a straight line. With a reported top speed of 250 mph (around 400 km/h), it is one of the fastest road-legal cars ever built. McLaren describe it as the spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1 — a car from the 1990s that many still consider the greatest road car ever made.
Like the F1, the Speedtail features three seats, with the driver sitting in the centre — directly in the middle of the car rather than on the left or right side. This unusual layout gives the driver a perfectly balanced view of the road ahead, without anything blocking the view on either side. It is a bold and distinctive design choice, and it makes the experience of driving the Speedtail unlike almost any other car on the market.
The body of the car is made from carbon fibre and shaped like a teardrop — narrow at the front and gradually widening towards the rear — which helps it cut through the air with as little resistance as possible. One of the most interesting design features is that the Speedtail has no traditional side mirrors. Instead, small cameras are built into the body of the car, with the images displayed on screens inside. This reduces drag and improves the car's aerodynamic performance.
The specific car being offered is number 36 out of only 106 ever produced. It has been customised with more than $170,000 worth of bespoke upgrades, arranged through McLaren's Special Operations (MSO) division. The exterior is finished in a unique colour called MSO Heritage Atlantic Blue, with fine pinstripe detailing that matches the colour of the wheels. The body and interior both feature satin-finish carbon fibre, giving the car a refined and sophisticated appearance. The seats and dashboard are trimmed in vintage tan Anline leather, which creates a beautiful contrast with the blue exterior.
The car has had only two previous owners and has covered just 216 miles. It is in near-perfect condition. It is worth noting that this particular Speedtail is registered under a special "show or display" exemption in the United States, which means that any transfer of ownership will need to be approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Private dealerships are not permitted to take ownership of this vehicle.
For collectors who appreciate the combination of extreme performance, cutting-edge technology, and rare exclusivity, the Speedtail is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
2020 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation
Not every exceptional car has to be new. Sometimes, the most exciting thing a manufacturer can do is revisit a legendary model from the past — and that is exactly what Aston Martin did with the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation.
The story begins in 1958, when Aston Martin introduced the DB4, a grand touring car that quickly became one of the most admired vehicles of its era. A year later, in 1959, the brand introduced a shorter, lighter version designed specifically for racing — the DB4 GT. Only 75 examples were ever made. Shortly after, Aston Martin partnered with the famous Italian coachbuilder Zagato to create an even more refined and aerodynamic version of the DB4 GT. The result was an instant classic: a car with a sleek, distinctive body, a lighter frame, and 12 additional horsepower compared to its predecessor.
Decades later, Aston Martin Works — a division of the company dedicated to restoring and maintaining classic Aston Martin vehicles — decided to bring this legendary car back to life. In 2019, they produced just 19 brand-new examples of the DB4 GT Zagato, built entirely from new parts that are fully compatible with the original classic. These cars are known as the "Continuation" series — a faithful recreation of a historic model, built with modern craftsmanship and quality.
The car on offer at the Miami auction was delivered to its first owner in late 2019. It is finished in Sage Green — a warm, earthy tone — with a Light Tan leather interior that complements the exterior colour beautifully. Although it is built to modern standards, the car is deliberately styled to look like the original 1960s model, preserving the timeless elegance that made the DB4 GT Zagato famous in the first place.
The odometer reads just 58 miles, meaning the car is in pristine, almost untouched condition. With only 19 ever built, it is an extraordinarily rare vehicle — and one that carries with it more than six decades of racing history and automotive heritage.
Whether or not you have a particular connection to the Aston Martin brand, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation is the kind of car that any serious collector would be proud to own. It is a piece of history, reimagined for the modern age.
The RM Sotheby's Miami auction, as part of ModaMiami, continues to be one of the most anticipated events in the global automotive calendar. Whether you are a seasoned collector or simply someone who appreciates the finest cars in the world, this year's lineup offers something truly special. These three lots alone represent decades of engineering ambition, design innovation, and passionate craftsmanship — and each one is a worthy addition to any world-class collection.
