It’s no secret that the rich like to splurge their wealth on several assets to enhance their luxurious lifestyle. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is no exception, as is evident from his car and private jet collection in 2023.
As of 14 April 2023, Forbes estimated his net worth at USD 110.6 billion. Gates was the wealthiest man in the world from 1995 to 2017, barring five years in between. He spent a part — a small part, albeit — of his wealth in getting the finest of cars and private jets. Famous for owning a fleet of Porsche cars, he indeed loves the German automobile maker to this day.
Adding to his choicest collections of vehicles, the flamboyant genius aimed to literally fly high. So Gates bought some of the most luxurious aircraft to aid his plush travels. Contrary to popular belief, Bill Gates doesn’t own a yacht. In February 2020, the billionaire was in the news for a reported purchase of a USD 645 million (RM 2.7 billion) hydrogen-fuelled ‘Superyacht’, but it was soon confirmed that he hadn’t commissioned it.
A look at Bill Gates’s cars and jet collection as in 2023
Cessna 208 Caravan seaplane
Multiple reports confirm that Bill Gates owns a Cessna 208 Caravan seaplane. The unique plane is manufactured by American aircraft maker Cessna Aircraft Company, which is now part of Textron Aviation.
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a rugged plane, whose variants are used for humanitarian and military purposes, besides luxury travel. Generally, the plane can reach a top speed of 344 km/h and can carry 10-14 people, including the crew. Fitted with a 675-horsepower PT6A-114A turboprop engine, it can fly long range up to 1,982 km, has a maximum payload of 1,393 kilograms and a maximum take-off weight of 3,629 kilograms. The plane doesn’t incur a high maintenance cost. Its land variant can touch down and take off from practically anywhere — gravel, grass or any rough field beside the most ordinary runways.
Depending on the buyer’s needs, everything from the seating to co*ckpit controls can be customised. Those looking for the utmost luxury might opt for ‘Oasis’ interiors, in which the ergonomic seats reflect the highest level of craftsmanship and design. Besides standard features of the GARMIN G1000 NXi avionics suite, the buyer can add advanced technological options such as Garmin GSR 56 Iridium Transceiver and KRA 405B Radar Altimeter.
Gulfstream G650
Bill Gates apparently owns two Gulfstream G650, according to reports.
One of the world’s most luxurious private jets, the Gulfstream G650, can circumnavigate the globe with just one stop. It has two variants — the Gulfstream G650 and the Gulfstream G650ER. The Gulfstream G650 has a maximum range of 12,964 km and the Gulfstream G650ER can fly up to a distance of 13,890 km. Both have a top speed of over 1,110 km/h. The Gulfstream G650 family of private jets holds over 110 world speed records and its engines are powered by Rolls-Royce. The interiors of the private jet are unmatched in luxury. It is extremely spacious and features some of the finest seats and the best facilities for a comfortable flight. Multiple configurations can create between three and four living areas inside the jet. The seating capacity is up to 19 passengers, while 10 people can sleep in it, again, depending on the configuration.
The aircraft comes with fly-by-wire technology, so it has semi-automatic and computer-regulated aircraft flight control systems. Authorised pilots can rely on its Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) to land the plane in low-visibility conditions without natural vision.
Gulfstream is a subsidiary of American aerospace and defence corporation General Dynamics.
Bombardier BD-700 Global Express
Two Bombardier BD-700 Global Express private jets feature on the list of automotive toys owned by the billionaire. Like Gulfstream G650, this too belongs to a family of private jets designed for utmost luxury. However, the Bombardier Global Express also has military variants. The seats are the highlight of all Bombardier Global Express private jets. Its chaise is called ‘The Nuage’. The jet’s development took seven years of research and engineering, which resulted in a seat that redefined luxury in the air and revolutionised functionality within a confined space.
Built by Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier Aviation, the jet has a maximum capacity of 19 passengers, plus a crew of 2-3. Its maximum speed is 950 km/h. With a maximum take-off weight of 44,452 kilograms, it can cover a maximum range of around 11,550 km. Among the other planes in the family are Global 5500, Global 6500, Global 7500 and Global 8000 — each with different configurations of seating, range, capacity and speed.
All Global Express private jets are powered by GE engines.
Porsche Taycan
In 2020, Bill Gates revealed he had bought this all-electric car.
“I have to say it’s a premium price car. It is very, very cool. This is my first electric car, and I am enjoying it a lot,” he said during a conversation with YouTuber Marques Brownlee. Porsche launched the car in September 2019. At around the time when Bill Gates said he had bought one, there were reportedly two variants of the car — Turbo and Turbo S. Today, there are eight of these cars, each with different specifications. The Porsche Taycan is a powerful and equally beautiful vehicle. The car has dual electric motors, powered by a 93-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. Its range is between 305 and 360 km, factoring in the variant, driving profile and travelling conditions.
Its top speed is between the ranges of 220-260 km/h. A Taycan can go 0-100 km/h in 2.8 to 5.4 seconds, depending on the variant. The interiors have been created using “Race-Tex”, a microfibre material partially containing recycled polyester fibres, besides recycled fibre Econyl, which is derived from fishing nets. Moreover, the car can be configured as per the needs of the user. Thus, a buyer can opt for a completely leather-free interior, classic leather or sustainably tanned Club Leather known as OLEA. The design of the touchscreen dashboard is inspired by Porsche 911’s original dashboard from 1963.
Porsche 911
When Microsoft had just started growing into a big company, Gates had bought a used pearlescent turquoise Porsche 911. This was in 1979. Though he has now sold it, the car was perhaps his first “indulgence”, as he confessed to Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen Show. According to Time magazine, he used to race the high-speed car in the desert near Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Microsoft was based in its early years. The reckless driver had to be bailed out of jail once by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
“It was an incredible car,” Bill Gates had told American businessman David Rubenstein in a 2016 Bloomberg interview. The 911 is the crown jewel of the Porsche car family. Since the debut Porsche 911 and its phenomenal success, the automobile manufacturer has created many variants of the outstanding car. These include Turbo and GT3 models.
Speed is central to 911. The Turbo S, one of the fastest, goes 0-100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds and attains a top speed of 330 km/h.
Porsche 959
Billionaire Bill Gates loved the car so much that he reportedly added one to his collection by getting this machine from Europe. He knew that it will not be allowed to enter the US, as the car didn’t meet the country’s crash test requirements. Expectedly, it was impounded and Gates was able to free it only after a decade under the ‘Show Or Display’ law.
According to various estimates, only 337 cars were built. No longer in production, the Porsche 959 had a biturbo flat engine and water-cooled 4-valve cylinder heads in a 1980s body that was inspired by the 911 and aerodynamically optimised. Its chassis was electronically controlled, and the car delivered an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
It became so popular that many experts continue to sing praises of its performance to this day.
Ferrari 348
A gem in Bill Gates’ car collection even in 2023, the car is special to even the maker, Ferrari, because it is the last V8 model that company founder Enzo Ferrari developed before his death. According to Time magazine, the car came to be known as “dune buggy” after Bill Gates spun it into the sand. The two-seat supercar has had an incredible history since its launch in 1989. Over 8,000 units of the car were manufactured till 1995. Ferrari 348 has had many models, including the Ferrari 348 TS, the convertible version of the 348 TB — both of which could travel to the top speed of over 275 km/h.
Hero image: Courtesy Porsche; Featured image: Courtesy Gulfstream
