When we talk about the best cars in the world, we take into account their luxury, technology, comfort and performance features. However, expert petrol heads consider ‘Speed’ the ultimate automotive brilliance.
The current auto industry is progressing at a fast pace where technologies coexist or just come with a new face to create phenomenal speeds. Take an example of the Tesla Roadster, which is purely a fastest electric car and can also hit 60 mph in only 1.9 seconds on its way to 250 mph (claimed).
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Top 17 Quickest Vehicles in the World
In this list of fastest cars in the world, we will consider all available and upcoming cars with claimed top speeds (because we take the words of manufacturers very seriously). So, without further ado, let’s talk about these in the descending order of fastest speed.
Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – Fastest Car in the World
- Price: $3 million
- Speed: 330 MPH
The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut claims the title with a remarkable top speed of 330 mph (simulated) in 2023. Its twin turbocharged 5.0liter V8 generates 1,600 horsepower, enabling this speed demon. Beyond power, the Jesko Absolut boasts a super-slippery 0.278 drag coefficient and a lightning-fast nine-speed transmission named Light Speed Transmission (LST).
While its shifts aren’t truly at light speed, they’re close, thanks to wet multi-disc clutches and lightweight construction. Priced at nearly $3 million, all 125 Absolut cars sold out swiftly. Although few locations support such speeds, owning one grants enviable bragging rights.
Bugatti Bolide
- Price: $4.4 million
- Speed: 311 MPH
The Bugatti Bolide packs a massive 1,847 horsepower, driven by a quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16 engine, capable of hitting 311 mph. Unlike the Koenigsegg, it’s strictly for the track, sharing components with the Chiron but tailored for racing, unencumbered by road regulations.
Despite its hefty $4.4 million price, this track-only focus allowed Bugatti to unleash unparalleled speed and aggression. Only 40 were made, adding to its exclusivity. Featuring a stiffer suspension, Michelin slicks, and utilizing advanced 3D-printed parts, it’s a marvel of engineering, free from the constraints of street legality, resulting in a menacingly aerodynamic design.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+
- Price: $3.8 million
- Speed: 304 MPH
No compilation highlighting top-performing high-performance cars could omit a mention of a certain brand, Bugatti. The Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+ stands out as an awe inspiring marvel of engineering. The French company had already claimed one of the swiftest vehicles globally with the Veyron, but achievements are meant to be surpassed.
The Chiron Supersport 300+ lives up to its name, becoming the pioneer in surpassing 300 mph, hitting precisely 304 mph during Bugatti’s showcase at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien circuit. The remarkable ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds speaks volumes.
Hennessey Venom F5
- Price: $1.6 million
- Speed: 301 MPH
The tuning expert, Hennessey Performance Engineering, well-known for its exhilarating tuned cars. The company’s first production car, the Venom GT broke the record of Bugatti Veyron SuperSport, though it did not register its name in the Guinness World Records. Currently, Hennessey Special Vehicles is working on its next hypercar, the Venom F5, which will hit the roads anytime in 2019.
The automaker claims it can hit 301 mph thanks to its 2,950 pounds carbon fiber chassis and the 7.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine. The powerful engine can create 1,600 horsepower and 1,300 lb-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. This incredible power enables it to reach 60 mph in just 2.0 seconds.
The supercar would not just be fast on its toes. It could actually come to a complete halt from 240 mph in less than 30 seconds. As, Hennessey didn’t still attempt 301 mph speed, thus the Koenigsegg Agera RS still takes the top spot in the fastest cars in the world list.
SSC Tuatara
- Price: $1.9 million
- Speed: 295 MPH
Though the Bugatti Chiron boasts a highly intricate W16 engine, there’s a certain charm to an immense V8 equipped with a pair of turbos. The SSC Tuatara features a dual-turbo V8 generating a formidable 1,750 horsepower on ethanol, yet there’s some dispute regarding its officially stated maximum speed.
SSC initially asserted the Tuatara reached an astounding 316 mph in October 2020, claiming the title of the world’s fastest car. However, a later admission of a GPS error revealed that speed to be inaccurately recorded. Subsequent tests in early 2023 confirmed a still impressive top speed of 295 mph.
Koenigsegg Agera RS
- Price: $1.9 million
- Speed: 278 MPH
As I mentioned earlier that the official fastest car in the world is the Koenigsegg Agera RS. Yes, I am putting it on the 2nd spot because I believe the Venom F5 will beat this record. Nevertheless, it holds the Guinness World Record for one of the fastest cars in the world .
To get this entry in the record books, Koenigsegg needed a track, which could manage this speed attempt. For this purpose, they asked the Nevada Department of Transportation to use their 11-mile stretch of Route 160 between Las Vegas and Pahrump. Featuring a twin turbo 5.0L V8 engine creating a whopping 1,160 horsepower. The Agera RS set off with full force and hit 284.55 mph.
In the second attempt to the opposite direction, it topped out at 271.19 mph and that settles its record at 277.9 mph. For records, the hypercar can go to 249 mph from standstill in 36.44 seconds. Behind the wheels to attempt this record, was Koenigsegg factory driver Niklas Lilja.
Hennessey Venom GT
- Price: $1.2 million
- Speed: 270 MPH
The Texas-based tuner’s first standalone vehicle, the Hennessey Venom GT appeared from nowhere to topple the top speed record of the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport (SS). The tuning company took approval from the Kennedy Space Center in 2014 to try a top speed run and comfortably topped out at 270.4 mph to dethrone the king of speed, Veyron.
Although Guinness World Records accepted it first but then took their decision back as the record run was made only in one direction. For a car to attempt top speed record, it has to run in both directions (as did by Agera RS). The criticism didn’t end here; some experts believed the Venom GT was not a production car due to its low production volume and hand-built construction.
Nevertheless, the Venom GT certainly had the guts. Moreover, will remain in the list of fastest cars in the world for a long time thanks to its mighty twin-turbocharged 7.0L V8 engine, which generates 1,244 hp and 1,155 pound-feet of torque.
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
- Price: $2.5 Million
- Speed: 267 MPH
Bugatti is a beloved child of the Volkswagen Group. For this brand, the parent company always wanted it to be fast, super-fast. Their dreams became a reality when they developed the $1.7 million Bugatti Veyron. Rightly, the Veyron was one of the most remarkable fastest cars in the world had ever witnessed.
It was powered by a quad-turbocharged W16 engine pumping out 1,001 horsepower, channeled to all four wheels. With a top speed of 250 mph, it remained the fastest car in the world until the 256-mph SSC Ultimate Aero came to the scene. To impress the world again, Bugatti created the Super Sport variant making the Veyron more aerodynamic and powerful by improving the output to 1,200 horsepower.
Bugatti raced the Veyron SS on the Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessein test track for the top speed record and registered 268 mph average speed on the odometer. In the Guinness World Records, it is also now the world’s second-fastest production car. Later, the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse also became the fastest open-top production car when the Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu achieved 254.04 mph.
Bugatti Chiron
- Price: $2.9 Million
- Speed: 261 MPH
It took Bugatti a decade to create the Veyron’s successor and I say all the wait was worth it. The Bugatti Chiron is a better and one of the fastest cars in the world . It is more luxurious and offers better performance thanks to its updated 8.0L 16-cylinder quad turbo engine churning out a mammoth 1,500 horsepower.
Named after French racing driver Louis Chiron, the $2.7 million supercars, however, falls short in the top speed department as the automaker capped its pace electronically. When everyone was eyeing another top speed record, Bugatti had other plans. Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann said, “To me, a top speed run is not on the agenda”.
Their focus is more on excelling in other facets. For instance, the hypercar shines by offering more luxury inside thanks to its superb leather interior, lively sound system, and high-resolution digital displays. Another thing Bugatti did well here is the low learning curve to operate the Chiron. This is something every buyer would appreciate when they would buy one out of 500, the automaker plans to build.
Rimac Nevera
- Price: $2.2 Million
- Speed: 258 MPH
Luxury sports cars like Ferraris, McLarens, and Lamborghinis pale in comparison to the unmatched power and exclusivity of the Rimac Nevera, an all-electric marvel hailing from Croatia. With a price tag in the millions, it boasts an absurd amount of horsepower and a production run so limited—just 150 units—that spotting one is akin to finding a zebra without stripes.
Built on a monocoque chassis housing battery cells, it packs a pair of electric motors at each axle, delivering up to 1813 horsepower and an estimated range of 205 miles. Priced at $2.2 million, it caters to the elite, including F1 Champion Nico Rosberg. While the Nevera sets a benchmark in automotive engineering, it also ignites anticipation for even greater innovations to come.
SSC Ultimate Aero
- Price: $0.74 million
- Speed: 256 MPH
Did you ever hear about the SSC Ultimate Aero? I am sure most of us not. This supercar dethroned the Veyron by hitting 256 mph in 2007. It remained the fastest car in the world for a little time, as Bugatti introduced the Veyron SuperSport, a more powerful model with enhanced aerodynamics.
The SSC Ultimate Aero also came with a 6.3L twin-turbo V8 that was capable of generating 1,287 horsepower. It wasn’t an easy car to drive because it lacked electronic driver aids to help in handling.
McLaren Speedtail
- Price: $2 million
- Speed: 250 MPH
McLaren engineered the Speedtail not with record-breaking in mind. Yet, it reaches a remarkable 250mph and stands as the British manufacturer’s swiftest street-legal vehicle to date. An awe-inspiring marvel of design, its elongated form and dynamic aerodynamics aim to optimize airflow. It draws inspiration from Formula 1 with a focus on centralized driving.
Although the opportunity to drive a McLaren Speedtail isn’t available at present, you can still immerse yourself in McLaren’s engineering prowess. It can be done by taking the wheel of a McLaren MP4 GT3. Over 12 laps, you’ll intimately experience the car’s power, and to cap it off, a thrilling high-speed passenger ride will showcase its true velocity.
Aston Martin Valkyrie
- Price: $4.2 million
- Speed: 250 MPH
Aston Martin’s Valkyrie secures a spot on this compilation with another maximum speed of 250 mph. Despite its appearance suggesting a connection to motorsports, the Valkyrie from the British manufacturer is completely compliant with road regulations.
Equipped with a 6.5l hybrid V12 engine and the capability to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, one can confidently assert that it will meet expectations. For a taste of Aston Martin craftsmanship, you can get an opportunity for a driving experience in a Replica DB5 and V8 Vantage.
Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
- Price: $1.0 million
- Speed: 248 MPH
Although we have Koenigsegg Regera with 255 miles per hour and Tesla Roadster with 250 miles per hour top speed. We are specially mentioning the Saleen S7 because of its potential factors and racing technologies.
It was known to be the first mid-engine production car in America. The supercar also came with a twin-turbo 7.0-liter Ford Windsor V8 producing 750 horsepower channeled to the rear wheels. Although Saleen started production of twin-turbo S7 in 2005, they never spared time to test its top speed.
Koenigsegg CCR
- Price: $0.65 million
- Speed: 242 MPH
On February 28th, 2005, the Koenigsegg CCR attempted a top speed record at Italy’s Nardo Prototipo proving ground and hit 242 miles per hour. The mid-engine sports car was carrying a 4.7L twin-supercharged V8 delivering 806 horsepower.
Behind the wheels was Loris Bicocchi – an expert record breaker. Christian von Koenigsegg was even confident of it hitting 245 mph.
McLaren F1
- Price: $0.28 million
- Speed: 240 MPH
The Mclaren F1 hit the Nardo ring in Italy in 1993 and achieved 231 mph. As it wasn’t enough, after 5 years they took help of the Le Mans-winner Andy Wallace. He raced this sports car on 5.4-mile Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien proving ground in Germany and hit 241.1 mph.
However, he knew the car had the potential to do more and that’s why he asked engineers to remove the rev limiter. On the second run, he achieved 242.96 mph, thus the average top speed stood at 240.1 mph. Yes, we now have cars that are more powerful but the F1 is still one of the fastest cars in the world naturally aspirated production car ever produced.
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Pagani Huayra
- Price: $2.4 million
- Speed: 230 MPH
Created by the Italian carmaker Pagani, the Huayra came in 2011 and stunned the world. Featuring a twin-turbo, 6.0L V-12 taken from Mercedes-Benz, it was capable of creating a power of 730 horses and 728lb ft of torque.
Owing to its extraordinary performance and design, it received “The Hypercar of the Year 2012” award from Top Gear magazine. The automaker only created 100 units.
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