The Race to 300 MPH
The quest for speed has been relentless since the Ferrari F40 became the first production car to break the 200 mph barrier in 1987. The competition among automakers has intensified, with brands like Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and Hennessey pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Here, we rank the 25 fastest cars in the world as of 2024, showcasing the pinnacle of automotive engineering.
25. Porsche 918 Spyder – 218 MPH
Originally claimed to reach 214 mph, the 918 Spyder surpassed expectations, clocking 218.4 mph in 2018. This hybrid marvel features a 4.6-liter V8 engine paired with electric motors, delivering a combined 875 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque.
24. Aston Martin One-77 – 220 MPH
Limited to just 77 units, the One-77 sports a 7.3-liter V12 engine from Cosworth, producing 750 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, achieving a top speed of 220 mph.
23. Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae – 221 MPH
The Ultimae is the pinnacle of the Aventador series, powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine producing 769 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. It hits 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of 221 mph.
22. Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 – 230 MPH (Claimed)
Designed by the legendary Gordon Murray, the T.50 features a 4.0-liter V12 engine from Cosworth, delivering 654 hp and 344 lb-ft of torque. It boasts a top speed of 230 mph.
21. Pagani Huayra – 238 MPH
Named after the Quechua wind god, the Huayra is powered by a twin-turbo Mercedes-AMG V12 engine, producing 720 hp. It achieves a top speed of 238 mph.
20. Pagani Huayra BC Roadster – 240 MPH (Estimated)
This tribute to Benny Caiola features a more powerful version of the twin-turbo V12, producing 791 hp, allowing it to reach an estimated top speed of 240 mph.
19. McLaren F1 – 240.1 MPH
A groundbreaking model from the 1990s, the McLaren F1 was the first production car with a carbon-fiber body, powered by a 6.1-liter V12 engine producing 618 hp. It held the top speed record at 240.1 mph until 2005.
18. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo – 248 MPH
Hand-built and powered by a twin-turbo 7.0-liter Ford V8 engine, the Saleen S7 generates 750 hp and reaches a top speed of 248 mph.
17. Koenigsegg CCXR – 249 MPH
Running on E85 race gas, the CCXR’s 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 engine produces 1,004 hp, achieving a top speed of 249 mph.
16. Koenigsegg Gemera – 249 MPH (Claimed)
Dubbed the “mega GT,” the Gemera features a 1,700 hp powertrain, allowing it to reach a claimed top speed of 249 mph.
15. Tesla Roadster – 250+ MPH (Claimed)
With a 200 kWh battery pack and three electric motors, the Tesla Roadster claims a top speed of over 250 mph and a range of 620 miles.
14. Aston Martin Valkyrie – 250 MPH (Claimed)
The Valkyrie, developed in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, is powered by a 6.5-liter Cosworth V12 engine producing 1,160 hp, with a claimed top speed of 250 mph.
13. McLaren Speedtail – 250 MPH
This hybrid hypercar from McLaren produces 1,035 hp and can reach a top speed of 250 mph, thanks to its sleek design and carbon-fiber construction.
12. Czinger 21C V Max – 253 MPH (Claimed)
Czinger’s innovative 21C features a 2.88-liter twin-turbo V8 engine paired with electric motors, producing 1,250 hp and a claimed top speed of 253 mph.
11. SSC Ultimate Aero TT – 256.1 MPH
SSC’s 2007 Ultimate Aero TT boasts a Guinness Book of Records–verified top speed of 256.18 mph, powered by a twin-turbo Corvette V8 engine producing over 1,100 hp.
10. Rimac Nevera – 258 MPH
The Rimac Nevera, with its 1,914 hp electric powertrain, is the fastest-accelerating production car in the world, reaching 60 mph in under two seconds and a top speed of 258 mph.
9. Bugatti Mistral – 261 MPH (Claimed, Roof off)
The Bugatti Mistral, an open-top variant, aims to set a new record with a claimed top speed of 261 mph, powered by the final application of the quad-turbo W16 engine.
8. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport – 267.8 MPH
The Veyron Super Sport, built in 2010, achieved a top speed of 267.8 mph, thanks to its 1,184 hp W16 engine.
7. Hennessey Venom GT – 270.4 MPH
Powered by a 7.0-liter twin-turbo GM V8 engine, the Hennessey Venom GT reached 270.4 mph, although it did not qualify for official records due to one-direction testing.
6. Koenigsegg Agera RS – 277.8 MPH
The Agera RS set a two-way average speed record of 277.8 mph in 2017, with a top speed of 284.5 mph during the attempt.
5. SSC Tuatara – 295 MPH
The SSC Tuatara achieved a certified average speed of 282.9 mph in 2021, with a top speed of 295 mph during testing.
4. Hennessey Venom F5 – 300+ MPH (Claimed)
The Venom F5, named after the most intense tornado category, boasts a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1,817 hp, with a claimed top speed of over 300 mph.
3. Bugatti Bolide – 311 MPH (Claimed)
The Bugatti Bolide, inspired by the Vision Le Mans concept, features a quad-turbo W16 engine and is claimed to exceed 311 mph.
2. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport – 304.7 MPH
The Chiron Super Sport set a record with a top speed of 304.7 mph, driven by a modified 1,600 hp quad-turbocharged engine.
1. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – 330 MPH (Claimed)
The Jesko Absolut, with its 1,600 hp twin-turbo V8 engine and advanced aerodynamics, is claimed to reach a top speed of 330 mph, making it the fastest car in the world for 2024.
These cars represent the pinnacle of automotive engineering, each one a testament to the relentless pursuit of speed and performance.
