They may not be the most practical vehicles about, but a well designed supercar is an impressive piece of automotive engineering. Created to far exceed any reasonable person’s road-going needs, supercars represent the peak of their day, and the race to achieve ever greater speeds injects an exciting sliver of competition into the car world.
Whether you’re in the market, or soaking up some vicarious enjoyment, we think you’ll appreciate our brief homage to 25 of the fastest supercars to ever have existed.
Hennessey Venom F5
Hennessey might not be the best-known brand among non gear-heads, but when you take a look at their contribution to the world of supercars, you’ll wish you’d heard about them sooner. The newest addition to the Hennessey family is the upcoming Venom F5 – the fastest car in the world.
It boasts a sleek exterior, reminiscent of the Lamborghini Aventador but with softened edges, yet this civilized skin covers an absolute beast of an engine, which offers a staggering 1,600 horsepower. This mammoth 7.6 liter engine is to feature steel cylinder sleeves, stainless steel turbo headers, and a dry sump oiling system. All this attention to detail comes together like a symphony, and the car can break 300 mph.
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SSC Tuatara
SSC’s upcoming Tautara is a true competitor for the likes Bugatti and Koenigsegg. Topping out at an eye-watering 300 mph, this lightweight powerhouse comes equipped with a 5.9 litre, turbocharged V8 engine that can produce 1,280 lb-ft of torque. The engine was built by SSC from scratch, specifically for the Tautara, in partnership with Nelson Racing Engines. On high octane fuel, the engine can even step up a notch further, to 1,750 horsepower.
Its engine isn’t the only remarkable thing about the car, either – its seven speed gearbox is a ‘computerised manual’, which deploys all of its 1,350 horses worth of power to the rear wheels.
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Koenigsegg Agera RS
The next supercar to make our list is Koenigsegg’s impressive Agera RS. The carbon fiber chassis weighs in at only 70 kg, and is precision engineered for minimum air resistance. Its brand new front splitter, side skirts, dynamic underbody flap system, and an active rear spoiler all add up to unbelievable road grip and aerodynamic performance. The engine boasts an impressive level of calibre too; it’s a 5 liter twin turbo V8, equipped for sequential, multipoint fuel injection and a patented backpressure reduction system – to name but two of its myriad features.
Koenigsegg also say that the Agera is a racing quality car that’s just as at home on the road. Despite its lightweight track credentials, Koenigsegg have found room for a luggage compartment, and ensured the vehicle complies with road safety standards.
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Hennessey Venom GT
With their high-calibre supercars, it should come as no surprise that Hennessey have nabbed another spot on our list of the top fastest cars. With its custom built 7.6 liter twin turbo V8 engine, the Venom GT is a force to be reckoned with. The engine is capable of producing more than 1,600 horsepower at a staggering 7,200 rpm.
The engine isn’t the only impressive thing about this powerful machine. Its bespoke chassis is carefully crafted to work in perfect harmony with the car’s inner workings, with its improved aerodynamics. All this adds up to one of the top cars in the world, set to break new ground – and new records – in 2019.
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Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
No list of the fastest sports cars would be complete without the presence of at least one Bugatti. The Veyron Super Sport boasts truly astonishing acceleration – in the time it takes a McLaren F1 to reach 200 mph from rest, the Veyron Super Sport can go from zero to 200 mph, back to zero again, and then up to 60 mph. All this raw power comes from the Veyron’s impressive 8 liter, 16 cylinder engine, which gives lucky drivers 1,200 horsepower to play with.
Despite this overwhelming power, the Veyron always conveys the feeling of being completely self-possessed. Its ultra-thick Sachs dampers provide a shockingly comfortable ride, while its four wheel drive configuration provides excellent stability and handling even at break-neck speeds.
Only 30 of these fastest supercars were ever made – in Bugatti’s small Molsheim factory by hand – adding an exciting element of exclusivity that only acts to further cement Bugatti’s exceptional calibre.
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Bugatti Chiron
Bugatti describe their Chrion as ‘the luxurious super sports car’ for good reason. Its sleek and comfortable interior is illuminated by Bugatti’s signature LED lighting, and features a central console milled from a single piece of solid aluminum. A beautify mechanical speedometer adds a touch of classicism to this otherwise bright and futuristic cockpit.
These touches of comfortable luxury belie the beast of an engine that lies within, though. Like its cousin the Veyron, the Chiron has a quad-turbocharged 8 liter W16 at its heart, which generates 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Supporting this masterpiece of engineering is a new titanium exhaust system, designed to keep back-pressure to a minimum, and allow the engine to circulate 60,000 liters of air every single minute.
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Rimac Concept Two
Another strong contender for the best car in the world is the Rimac Concept Two. Not only can this go from zero to 60 mph in a mere 1.85 seconds, it can also do so without the help of gasoline.
That’s right – this beautiful, powerful hypercar depends entirely upon an electric engine, which the Croatian manufacturer say can produce 1,914 horsepower. The car’s four electric motors work together to give it up to 300 miles of range, with one dedicated to each wheel for some truly amazing traction. All this power stems from the Concept Two’s 120-kWh battery, mounted low in the chassis to provide the low center of gravity needed to keep things stable at any speed.
All this cutting edge technology is housed by beautifully curving body panels, constructed from strong and lightweight carbon fiber. Inside, things are surprisingly plush, too, with lots of billet aluminum and leather.
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9FF GT9-R
If you asked your three-year-old son or daughter to imagine the “most fastest car in the world”, chances are they would picture something a lot like the GT9-R. Its aggressive, angular front end and prominent rear spoiler scream “fastest car ever”, and its interior components do not disappoint.
What 9FF have done here is taken a Porsche 911 and made it even faster. The GT9-R can go from zero to 60 mph in an impressive 2.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 257 mph. This sizzling power comes from a custom mid-mounted, twin turbo 4 liter flat-six engine. This powerhouse channels 1,120 horsepower to the rear wheels through a conventional 6-speed gearbox. The roof is lower than your usual 911, too, resulting in an even more streamlined vehicle and greater downforce at higher speeds.
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SSC Ultimate Aero
SCC is a small, Washington-based manufacturer who are ready to take on the likes of Bugatti and Aston Martin. Perhaps the fastest car on earth when it comes to production vehicles, the Ultimate Aero can reach a startling 256 mph, and did indeed hold the record for the fastest car in the world for a time.
Its power stems from its customized engine, based on a Corvette 5.7 liter small-block V8, the version in the Aero has an additional 676 cc, plus two turbos, producing an eye-watering 1,183 horsepower and 1,094 lb-ft of torque.
The Aero’s 100% carbon fiber body is another element that helps it achieve those high speeds, weighing in at just 60 kg. Inside, it’s very much function over form, making you feel close to the action. As far as supercars go, this one is almost affordable too. With a price-tag of around $430,000, it may well be within the realms of possibility for some savers.
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Aston Martin Valkyrie
Aston Martin are a dab hand for providing the best supercar experience. The Valkyrie is a groundbreaking car that offers, in Aston Martin’s words, an ‘otherworldly performance’. This description seems apt when you consider the car’s exterior, which could have been lifted from a summer Sci-Fi blockbuster.
This is Aston Martin’s very first hypercar, featuring a truly striking appearance that’s designed to maximise downforce and minimise air resistance. The body is made entirely from carbon fiber, so it’s lightweight too, and can brake and corner with all the precision of an actual formula one car – without being confined to the track. ‘Hybrid’ might not be the word that springs to mind when you think about high-performance engines, but that’s what lurks beneath the Valkyrie’s space-age surface. Its unique 6.5 liter V12 engine combines forces with an electric motor, providing 1,130 horsepower – one for each kg of the car’s weight.
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Tesla Roadster
Although they’re currently facing some serious competition from Rimac, Tesla are still very much in the running as far as electric supercars are concerned. Their upcoming 2020 Roadster recently made its debut appearance at the Grand Basel car exhibition in Switzerland, and it caused quite a stir.
This most recent Roadster can go from zero to 60 mph in a truly astonishing 1.9 seconds, and zero to 100 mph in just 4.2 seconds – faster than even the Bugatti Chiron! All this power can be traced back to a 200 kWh battery, which powers three electric motors – one for each of the back wheels, and one that splits its power between the two front wheels. This clever configuration offers excellent traction, and throws out just shy of 1,000 horsepower. The roadster also has a surprisingly practical 260 mile range. Believe it or not, it can seat four, too – almost a practical purchase, if you happen to have $200,000…
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Milan Red
The Milan Red is Austria’s key contribution to the supercar world, and boy does it deliver. Inside, a 6.2 liter, quad-turbocharged V8 engine throws out a seemingly impossible 1,306 horsepower, all of which is sent to the back wheels, for a sporty handling experience.
Its unique exterior also warrants comment, inspired as it is by the hooked beak of a falcon. This unusual point of departure has resulted in a car with an intimidating look, and a slightly peculiar driving experience. Rather than the mundanity of ‘Sport’ or ‘Race’ mode, drivers can choose between ‘Glide’, ‘Hunt’, and ‘Attack’ configurations – all named after the abilities of the graceful falcon. Despite these eccentricities, the Red is by no means an underdog – its impressive top speed and powerful engine warrant it a place among its more established rivals.
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Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
In 2017, American manufacturer Saleen unveiled the latest in a line of supercars: their newest S7 commemorates the model’s seven year run of racing victories everywhere from Daytona to Nurburgring, to Le Mans.
The S7’s Hollywood good looks have been featured in several blockbusters, including Bruce Almighty, and have hardly changed since its inception – but it’s not just a pretty face. This latest iteration houses a 7 liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which sends 1,300 horsepower to the rear wheels – this is almost three times the power of the original S7! Each car is fitted with forged wheels, and racing-style center locks, making it just as at home on the track as on the road.
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Lykan Fenyr SuperSport
Its angular exterior calls an M C Escher painting to mind, but you can rest assured that this powerful supercar is no illusion. At its heart, rests a 3.8 liter flat-six engine, put together by none other than Porsche. The engine can produce an impressive 789 horsepower, resulting in 723 lb-ft of torque.
None of this power goes to waste, thanks to the Fenyr’s lightweight, all carbon fiber body. This translates to an acceleration from zero to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, and a top speed of 245 mph.
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Koenigsegg CCR
If you asked “what’s the fastest car in the world?” in 2005, the answer would be the Koenigsegg CCR. Only 14 of these sought-after machines were ever produced, but each one certainly made an impression.
Equipped with a large front splitter, enlarged tires, and cutting edge chassis and suspension, the CCR broke the Guiness World Record for the world’s fastest production car at the 2005 Nardo test track in Italy.
Behind this record-breaking feat was a cast aluminum V8 engine, which provided 806 horsepower and 678 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the CCR’s carbon fiber and kevlar body kept it lightweight, so none of this power went to waste. The finished product weighed in at only 1,180 kg.
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McLaren F1
On the 31st of March 1998, the legendary McLaren F1 became the world’s fastest production car. Despite being a ‘production’ model, only a handful of these extraordinary cars ever left the factory, so prices range from $10 to $15 million!
The F1 may be the most iconic British supercar of all time. Underneath the distinctive, curvaceous exterior lies a 6.1 liter V12 engine, designed and put together by BMW Motorsport. This powerhouse produced 627 horsepower, accelerating the 1,138 kg vehicle along the track and into the record books. Although it can’t quite match the speed of today’s contenders, the 1998 F1 continues to impress drivers with its raw power, combined with a certain finesse that only McLaren can bring to the table.
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Zenvo ST1
Denmark isn’t exactly famous for supercar production, but since this is where the Zenvo ST1 heralds from, perhaps it should be. This striking supercar relies on a 7 liter V8 engine that’s both supercharged and turbocharged. From this, stems 1,104 horsepower, all of which can be felt by the driver as they experience the eye-watering acceleration the ST1 has to offer.
This hand-built supercar also features lightweight carbon fiber bodywork, and a surprisingly plush leather interior, which will keep you (relatively) comfortable as the vehicle soars from zero to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.
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Pagani Huayra BC
Pagani will build just 20 of their Huayra BC, each of which is already spoken for despite the $2.7 million price tag! Featuring a 6 liter twin turbocharged V12 engine, the BC produces a staggering 811 horsepower, all kept in control by a new 7-speed transverse gearbox.
Since the BC weighs just 1,218 kg, all of this power adds up to some incredible acceleration. Despite this, the car’s impressive suspension system means that the raw power is never too in-your-face – exactly what you’d want for what’s ostensibly a road car. This surprising comfort, combined with sharp steering and excellent braking power, shows that Pagani’s efforts have certainly paid off.
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Noble M600
Noble are often praised for the amazing handling on their supercars, and the M600 is no exception. Built by hand in a small workshop in the English countryside by a team of fewer than 20 people, what Noble manage to achieve is nothing short of astonishing.
The M600 was launched back in 2010, and promises drivers an experience akin to what a Ferrari F40 or McLaren F1 would offer. Its Yamaha-designed 4.4 liter V8 engine features two turbochargers,and produces a solid 650 horsepower, which can move the 1,250 kg vehicle along at speeds of up to 225 mph. With no ABS or stability control this is a supercar for experienced drivers only!
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Lamborghini Veneno
The first of two Lamborghinis on our list is 2013’s Veneno. The supercar is named after one of the strongest, fastest fighting bulls in known history, and it lives up to its designation perfectly. The 6.5 liter V12 engine provides 739 horsepower, making for stratospheric speeds of up to 221 mph.
Its beak-like front end makes for great airflow all around the Veneno, and also pushes it down into the road for amazing traction. Another notable feature is the way the Veneno keeps its cool – the wheels feature carbon rib-rings that effectively work as fans, sweeping cool air onto the hot brake disks to keep them at optimal performance temperature.
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Apollo Arrow
This striking concept car was brought to life by Apollo in 2016. The company, formerly Gumpert Spotywagenmanufaktur (GmbH), received new investment after applying for bankruptcy, and the Arrow aptly symbolises this burgeoning lease of life.
Its 1,000 horsepower, dual-turbo V8 engine can propel the Arrow from zero to 60 mph in only 2.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 220 mph.
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Aston Martin One-77
Aston Martin originally said that no journalists would be allowed to drive their enigmatic One-77, but fortunately, some time later, a few writers have managed to get their hands on one, and have been keen to share the experience with the rest of us.
Aston Martin’s beautiful, almost organic exterior belies the growling 7.3 liter V12 engine that lies beneath. Producing 750 horsepower, the V12 sends occupants hurtling from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
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Jaguar XJ220
Manufactured between 1992 and 1994, the Jaguar XJ220 once held the title of world’s fastest car. Its dramatic, road-hugging exterior cloaks a hearty 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6, which provides 542 horses worth of power to the rear wheels.
Sadly, only 280 of the planned 350 XJ220s were ever manufactured. The project had initially been a labor of love, with dedicated Jaguar employees volunteering out of hours to bring the concept to the world in 1988. This enthusiasm proved difficult to translate into larger scale production, however, leading to a widespread belief that this car never quite met its potential.
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Ferrari LaFerrari
The Ferrari LaFerrari (always a mouthful), is a real trailblazer. It’s the Italian automotive giant’s first ever hybrid, and only 499 have been made.
Its 6.3 liter V12 engine offers 790 horsepower, to which the additional electric motor adds 160, for an impressive total of 950 horsepower. The two components work in perfect harmony and, along with some energy-conserving features within the brakes, ABS system, and traction control ensures that all this potential power is delivered at all times.
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Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
Last, but certainly not least, is Lamborghini’s Aventador LP 700-4. Its attention-grabbing, angular body only begins to hint at the power within – supplied by a hefty 6 liter V12 engine.
All being said, this V12 produces 700 horsepower, propelling the 1,625 kg car towards the 220 mph mark. The fact that the this Aventador has a removable roof has also led Lamborghini to boldly declare that it makes for the ultimate open-air driving experience. Based on the reviews, this is no exaggeration!
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