Hypercars are the pinnacle of automotive innovation. While supercars like the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Aventador are uncommon sights on the road, catching a glimpse of a hypercar is truly a miracle. They are an elite group of vehicles, classified by their extreme rarity, lightning speed, and million-dollar price tags. These cars easily outrun street-legal competitors but how do they stand up against each other? When it comes to unbelievable power and automotive perfection, these are five of the world’s greatest hypercars.
Bugatti Chiron
The Bugatti Chiron is famous for being one of the fastest cars ever, with a top speed of 489 kph (304 mph). Yet, despite zooming past the competition, the Chiron’s speed record is not official by Guinness standards since it was not achieved on a two-way run. The car was also a prototype at the time, though Bugatti did go on to produce 500 units. Despite not setting an official record, the Chiron is undeniably fast and has continued to impress drivers with its smooth handling and comfort at street-legal speeds.
Porsche 918 Spyder
The 918 Spyder was one of Porsche’s most innovative vehicles. Equipped with a V8 engine and two electric motors, the 918 Spyder had a total of 894 horsepower and a top speed of 345 kph (214 mph). Porsche designed this vehicle to be one of their most adaptable sports cars, so they gave it a 30-kilometer (19-mile) electric driving range to traverse city streets with zero emissions. After producing 918 of these cars, Porsche discontinued the line in 2015. However, the 918 Spyder was still a very successful vehicle and will likely inspire the design of Porsche’s next electric cars.
McLaren P1
The wildly popular McLaren F1 was a tough act to follow but it is safe to say that the P1 has earned its place among the best of the best. The P1 is equipped with a hybrid twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 903 horsepower and a top speed of 350 kph (217 mph). It also features a carbon-monocoque chassis and a hydraulic chassis control system that gives the car better handling and more precise cornering than its predecessor. Due to its combination of speed and exemplary performance, the McLaren P1 is often regarded as one of the first vehicles to achieve hypercar status.
Koenigsegg Jesko
The Jesko is the latest masterpiece from Koenigsegg and features a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces up to 1,600 horsepower. The manufacturer claims that this beast can reach a top speed of 531 kph (330 mph), but it has not been officially tested. Despite that, the Jesko is still the fastest car that Koenigsegg has ever made, and with a 9-speed multi-clutch transmission it’s got incredible handling to complement its unparalleled speed.
Rimac Nevera
Compared to other auto manufacturers, Rimac is the new kid on the block. But youth doesn’t always equate to inexperience and over the last decade, Rimac has unveiled some of the most impressive vehicles in the world. The Nevera is their most recent hypercar, and it made headlines after proving its superiority over the Bugatti Veyron. The Nevera is the fastest electric vehicle in the world and boasts a certified top speed of 415 kph (258 mph). While it can’t outrun the Jesko, that speed is unheard of for an electric vehicle. Rimac recently partnered with Bugatti so we can expect to see more outstanding electric cars from them in the future. But for now, the Nevera has earned its laurels and place among the world’s most elite hypercars.