Speed has fascinated mankind for millennia. Foot races in ancient Greece and chariot races in Rome gave rise to competitive speed, and man has never looked back. But it wasn’t until the first cars emerged from garages across Europe that man’s quest for speed took off. Today, almost every car can hit 100 mph and most family saloons will breeze past 120. Performance cars routinely play around 140 to 170. But our need for speed looks beyond that.
What was once a quest for 200 mph in a production car now sits at 300, as automakers strive to add more power, smarter aerodynamics, and begin to implement electric motors, all in the name of going faster. Here’s a complete collection of the fastest cars – currently in production or slated to roll off the assembly line in the near future – on the planet.
2020 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+
Bugatti is the Dodge of hypercars, continuously finding ways to squeeze ever more performance from one particular engine. Its quadruple-turbocharged, 8.0-litre W16 engine shocked us in the Veyron and Veyron Super Sport – two cars that, were they still in production, would handily make this list – but this monstrous engine is on an entirely different level in the newer Chiron Super Sport 300+. With 1,600 bhp and 1,180 pound-feet of torque (600 bhp and 193 lb-ft more than the original Veyron), the range-topping Chiron hits 60 mph in 2.3 seconds and, as the name suggests, can crest 300 mph. In official testing, Bugatti recorded 304 mph.
Top Speed: 304 MPH
0-60: 2.3 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,600 Horsepower
Torque: 1,180 Pound-Feet
Price: $3.9 Million (£2.9 million)
2021 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
Koenigsegg knows a thing or six about building mental hypercars and the Jesko Absolut is the latest example. But while most other cars on this list have reached their top speeds, the 330-mile-per-hour V-max here is only theoretical. Yes, it’s based on maths, but no Jesko Absolut has cracked 330 yet.
With 1,600 bhp and 1,106 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 and a slippery body that still offers significant downforce, the $2.8-million (£2.1 million) Swedish monster has the credentials for a high-speed run. That said, we wouldn’t count on the Jesko being allowed to hit 330: the best place on the planet for an attempt, the Ehra-Lessien proving grounds in north-central Germany, belongs to Bugatti’s parent company, Volkswagen.
Top Speed: 330 MPH
0-60: N/A
Horsepower: 1,600 Horsepower
Torque: 1,106 Pound-Feet
Price: $2.8 Million (£2.1 million)
2021 Hennessey Venom F5
Ultra-high speeds aren’t the exclusive domain of Europe. Those crazy folks in Texas at Hennessey Performance Engineering know a thing about it too. While the old Lotus Elise-based Venom GT would run up to 266 mph, Hennessey claims the upcoming Venom F5 will blast past 310 mph, thanks to a twin-turbo 6.6-litre V8 that produces 1,817 bhp and 1,193 lb-ft of torque. While the price is lower than some of its European rivals, starting at $1.8 million (£1.3 million), Hennessey is planning to build only 24 examples.
Top Speed: 311 MPH
0-60: 2.4 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,817 Horsepower
Torque: 1,193 Pound-Feet
Price: $1.8 Million (£1.3 million)
2021 SSC Tuatara
Ah, the SSC Tuatara. It’s unclear if the company lays claim to the Guinness record for fastest production car, but there’s no question the hypercar from Washington State owns the title of Biggest Automotive Controversy of 2020. The car did the classic two-way run and clocked an average of 316 mph – but just a few weeks later, rumours emerged that the telemetry data and footage from the attempt didn’t match. SSC claimed it was a simple mistake and is planning to make another two-way attempt, which we’re eagerly awaiting.
While we can’t be sure if the Tuatara hit 316, it has the power for such an attempt: 1,750 bhp and 1,280 lb-ft of torque. Those figures are fitting for a car with a $1.9-million (£1.3 million) price tag.
Top Speed: 316 MPH
0-60: 2.5 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,750 Horsepower
Torque: 1,280 Pound-Feet
Price: $1.9 Million (£1.4 million)
2021 Aston Martin Valkyrie
Aston Martin has never really played in the hypercar space, instead contenting itself to build excellent and beautiful grand tourers. The Valkyrie is a change of tact, the result of a partnership between Aston and its Formula One partner, Red Bull Racing, to build a world-beating hypercar.
The Valkyrie features a naturally aspirated, Cosworth-sourced V12 and hybrid system to produce 1,160 bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque, but it’s how that power arrives. It comes at very high engine speeds, with the V12 packing an 11,000-rpm redline. Unleashed on the right road, this mid-engine Aston will hit 60 in 2.5 seconds and carry on to a top speed of over 250 mph.
Top Speed: Over 250 MPH
0-60: 2.5 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,160 Horsepower
Torque: 664 Pound-Feet
Price: $3 Million (£2.2 million)
2021 McLaren Speedtail
More than nearly any other brand on this list, McLaren knows about building record-breaking hypercars. The legendary F1 held the record for over two decades, until the Bugatti Veyron arrived. The new McLaren Speedtail won’t reclaim the F1’s record with its promised 250-mph top speed, but the 1,036-bhp, $2-million (£1.5 million) hypercar is arguably the prettiest car on this list. And anyway, 250 mph is pretty damn impressive, as is the zero-to-60 sprint of 2.9 seconds. Unlike the 300-plus-mph Jesko and Venom F5, we have little doubt of the Speedtail’s relatively reasonable max velocity.
Top Speed: 250 MPH
0-60: 2.9 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,036 Horsepower
Torque: 848 Pound-Feet
Price: $2 Million (£1.5 million)
2022 Mercedes-AMG One
Details remain scarce on the Mercedes-AMG One, aside from the fact that the German automaker is taking knowledge straight from its championship-winning Formula 1 team and applying it to a road car. There’s a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder, three electric motors, and over 1,000 hp on offer (or more) – Mercedes hasn’t said how much torque the One produces, but the answer probably qualifies as “a lot.”
The One has a projected top speed of 217 mph and can hit 60 in an estimated 2.6 seconds. That’s hardly rapid compared to some of the cars on this list, but there’s little question that the $2.7-million (£2 million) Mercedes-AMG is still one of the quickest cars on the planet.
Top Speed: 217 MPH
0-60: 2.6 Seconds (est)
Horsepower: Over 1,000 Horsepower
Torque: Unknown
Price: $2.72 Million (£2 million)
2020 Pagani Huayra BC Roadster
The long-lived Pagani Huayra BC Roadster is an unusual entry on this list. It’s the only convertible (although just barely – the roof is a large, single-piece panel), the power output is barely excessive, and yet this sleek mid-engine V12-powered supercar can still accelerate to 236 mph. With an asking price of $3.4 million (£2.5 million), this 791-bhp Huayra variant is the cream of the crop for the current Pagani range.
Top Speed: 236 MPH
0-60: 2.8 Seconds (est)
Horsepower: 791 Horsepower
Torque: 775 Pound-Feet
Price: $3.4 Million (£2.5 million)
2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale
The Ferrari SF90 is weird. It’s not a successor to the LaFerrari, but it features a petrol-electric powertrain and is a big step up in performance on the F8 Tributo: 986 total system bhp, while the petrol engine alone packs 590 lb-ft. The SF90 accelerates all the way to 211 mph and can snap to 60 in a brisk 2.5 seconds, which are certainly flagship performance figures. Prices for the not-a-LaFerrari successor start at $625,000 (£460,000).
Top Speed: 211 MPH
0-60: 2.5 Seconds
Horsepower: 986 Horsepower (total system)
Torque: 590 Pound-Feet (gas engine only)
Price: $625,000 (£460,000)
2020 Lamborghini Sian Roadster
Lamborghini built only 19 Sian Roadsters (in addition to the 63 hardtop models), making it one of the rarest cars on this list. Pairing the Aventador’s 6.5-litre V12 engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the Sian Roadster can accelerate to 218 mph and blasts to 60 in just 2.7 seconds. There’s a total of 819 bhp from the combined power sources, while the petrol engine is good for 531 lb-ft. With so few slated for production, we wouldn’t count on seeing this $3.6-million (£2.7 million) car in the flesh any time soon.
Top Speed: 218 MPH
0-62: 2.7 Seconds
Horsepower: 819 Horsepower (total system)
Torque: 531 Pound-Feet (gas engine only)
Price: $3.6 Million (£2.7 million)
2020 Ferrari 812 SuperFast
We’re getting away from the traditional mid-engine hypercars with the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Pairing a classic Ferrari V12 in a front-engine, rear-drive layout, the 812 is the latest in a long line of flagship Ferrari coupes that dates back to legends like the 250 GT, 275 GTB, and Daytona. The 6.5-litre V12 produces an epic 789 hp and 530 lb-ft, scooting the latest Ferrari GT to 211 mph.
Top Speed: 211 MPH
0-60:2.8 Seconds
Horsepower: 789 Horsepower
Torque: 530 Pound-Feet
Price: $335,000 (£250,000)
2020 Ford GT
The latest Ford GT features a more revolutionary track than its predecessor, both in terms of its design and its engine. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 mounted amidships produces 660 bhp and 550 lb-ft, blasting the fastest Ford ever to 216 mph. The $500,000 (£370,000) price tag is fitting for a car with so much power and such impressive speed, even if it seems pretty darn grand for something with a Blue Oval on the nose.
Top Speed: 216 MPH
0-60: 3.0 Seconds
Horsepower: 660 Horsepower
Torque: 550 Pound-Feet
Price: $500,000 (£370,000)
2020 Rimac Concept_One
The only electric car on this list, the Rimac Concept_One is a shocking (pun intended) reminder of what EV performance looks like. Packing four electric motors, good for 1,224 hp and 1,180 lb-ft, the Concept_One will hit 60 in just 2.5 seconds and can max out at 221 mph. That said, exploit all that power too often and you won’t see the Concept_One’s promised range of 217 miles.
As good as the Concept_One is, its successor goes even further. The upcoming Concept_Two is promising a top speed of 258 mph, the ability to hit 60 in under two seconds, and output of 1,914 bhp. Deliveries should start in 2021.
Top Speed: 221 MPH
0-60: 2.5 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,224 Horsepower
Torque: 1,180 Pound-Feet
Price: $358,000 (£265,000)
2021 Koenigsegg Gemera
With seating for four and a three-cylinder engine, the Koenigsegg Gemera doesn’t sound like the kind of vehicle that’d make a list for fastest cars in the world. That is, until you realize it’s from Koenigsegg, and things like seats and cylinder counts tell little of the story. The roomy Gemera packs 1,700 bhp and 2,581 lb-ft of torque.
The top speed is 249 hp and 0-60 happens in 1.9 seconds, making this a brilliant way to scare three of your closest friends. That insane performance is thanks to three electric motors, which work alongside the twin-turbochraged 2.0-litre three-cylinder engine. Prices start at $500,000 (£370,000), which isn’t too crazy for Sweden’s hottest performer.
Top Speed: 249 MPH
0-60: 1.9 Seconds
Horsepower: 1,700 Horsepower
Torque: 2,581 Pound-Feet
Price: $500,000 (£370,000)
World’s Fastest Cars
- 2021 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – 330 MPH
- 2020 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ – 304 MPH
- 2021 SSC Tuatara – 316 MPH
- 2021 Hennessey Venom F5 – “Over 310 MPH”
- 2021 Aston Martin Valkyrie – “Over 250 MPH”
- 2021 McLaren Speedtail – 250 MPH
- 2021 Koenigsegg Gemera – 249 MPH
- 2020 Pagani Huayra BC Roadster – 236 MPH
- 2020 Rimac Concept_One – 221 MPH
- 2020 Lamborghini Sian Roadster – 218 MPH
- 2022 Mercedes-AMG One – 217 MPH
- 2020 Ford GT – 216 MPH
- 2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale – 211 MPH
- 2020 Ferrari 812 SuperFast – 211 MPH
The fastest:
World’s Quickest Cars 0-60
- 2021 Koenigsegg Gemera – 1.9 Seconds
- 2020 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ – 2.3 Seconds
- 2021 Hennessey Venom F5 – 2.4 Seconds
- 2021 Aston Martin Valkyrie – 2.5 Seconds
- 2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale – 2.5 Seconds
- 2020 Rimac Concept_One – 2.5 Seconds
- 2021 SSC Tuatara – 2.5 Seconds
- 2022 Mercedes-AMG One – 2.6 Seconds
- 2020 Lamborghini Sian Roadster – 2.7 Seconds
- 2020 Ferrari 812 SuperFast – 2.8 Seconds
- 2020 Pagani Huayra BC Roadster – 2.8 Seconds
- 2021 McLaren Speedtail – 2.9 Seconds
- 2020 Ford GT – 3.0 Seconds
- 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – N/A
FAQs
What is the fastest car in the world?
The fastest car in the world is the jet-powered ThrustSSC, which has held the land-speed record since October 1997.
How fast is the fastest car in the world (MPH)?
The ThrustSSC was clocked in 1997 at a maximum speed of 760 mph over a flying kilometre and 763 over a flying mile. It was the first car to break the speed of sound.
What is the fastest commercially produced car in the world?
The fastest production car in the world could be the 330-mph Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, but we may never know. Maths supports it, but there are few places that could allow the Swedish supercar to reach its max, so there hasn’t been an attempt. The SSC Tuatara is technically the leader, with a 316-mph average over two runs, but controversy surrounds that attempt. The one vehicle we know for certain has cracked 300 mph and is unquestionably the reigning fastest car in the world is the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which hit 304 mph.
What is the quickest car in the world?
If testing proves it out, the Koenigsegg Gemera will be the quickest car to 60 mph, taking a scant 1.9 seconds to do the deed. It’ll be competing with the upcoming $140,000 Tesla Model S Plaid, which can allegedly get to 60 in under two seconds. Among vehicles in customer hands, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is quickest, with a manufacturer-estimated 2.3-second sprint to 60.