14 Impressive Hypercars That Will Make You Wish You Were Behind the Wheel

Jaw-dropping speed machines boasting insane power figures, clad in stunning bodies, Hypercars are the pinnacle of road-going machinery. For most, getting behind the wheel is a dream we wish would come true.

What separates a hypercar from a supercar? In most circles, 1000 hp or more is the benchmark. In reality, it’s a combination of things. All the cars listed here are within reach of the magical horsepower number, but the speed difference can be confusing. Tire limitations, fuel consumption, and even durability come into play. A prime example is the AMG Project One, a detuned F1 car that sacrifices a little performance for engine longevity.

However, even the slowest hypercar is well above 200 mph and, in some cases, 300 mph. Have we reached the peak, or is there more to come? Hypercars are the fastest cars you could wish to drive.

1. McLaren P1 GTR

Hypercars are the best and fastest cars on the road. But you can do better. McLaren announced the P1 in 2013, limiting production to 375 vehicles with an asking price of $1.15 million. Barely two years later, Mclaren upped the ante with a faster and rarer variant, the P1 GTR.

Only 58 P1 GTRs exist, making owning one even harder, adding to the fact that you had to be an existing P1 owner. Mechanically, you don’t get any more power with McLaren retaining its hybrid-assisted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 punching out 986 hp. There are some differences. McLaren removed 105 lbs of bloat, revised the suspension settings, and added a substantial rear wing.

2. Mercedes-AMG One

AMG One is the closest you will get to a Formula 1 car for the road. The chassis is a carbon fiber masterpiece of aerodynamic sculpture designed to channel air over the body to boost grip. However, it is under the skin where F1 tech is most evident.

The AMG One boasts 1049 hp courtesy of the same 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 Lewis Hamilton used to secure most of his wins. Some compromises are made notably in the quest for durability, such as a lower 11,000 rev limit. This 219 mph hypercar is demanding. Its engine will need changing at 31,000 miles. 

3. Ferrari LaFerrari

Stunningly beautiful, we suspect Ferrari ran out of ideas once the LaFerrari was completed; Ferrari LaFerarri translates to The Ferrari. It is, however, the Italian carmaker’s most significant road car since the F40 only lost out to the tack FXX EVO.

However, it’s no slouch, topping 218 mph and passing 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Naturally, Ferrari’s flagship boasts one of the finest engines ever made. There are no V8s here; a 6.3-liter V12 engine aided by F1-style KERS technology cranks out 950 hp without resorting to turbos. The bad news is that owning one is by invitation only. LaFerrari will have to remain on the wish list.

4. Hennessey Venom F5

Homegrown Hypercars are more common than you might think. But none attracts as much attention as the Venom F5. Hennessey famously burst onto the hypercar scene with the Venom GT, a Lotus Exige packing 1244 hp. For the Venom F5 successor, Hennessey has gone several steps further.

Under the engine cover, you get a turbocharged 6.6-liter V8 dubbed Fury, producing 1817 hp that theoretically can achieve a top speed of 328 mph. In reality, Hennessey is targeting 300 mph. Big numbers in either respect; the Venom F5 will set you back $2.1 million.

5. SSC Tuatara

Surrounded by the controversy of how fast the Tuatara is, SSC’s hypercar has posted a top speed of 295 mph. Falling short of SSC’s claims has done little to dampen gearheads interest. There are other more impressive numbers at work. 

Starting under the hood, SSC downsized the Tuatara to a twin-turbocharged 5.9-liter rated at 1750 hp running on E85 gas. However, this isn’t a downgrade. Swapping to a smaller displacement allows for a higher rev limit in return for raising power output. Want or need more? SSC also produces the more potent Tuatara Aggressor with an eye-watering 2200 hp.

6. Porsche 918 Sypder

Stuttgart’s entry to hypercar reality, the 918 retains some semblance of the German carmaker 911 range. Despite the ever-familiar face, it’s jaw-dropping all the same. Jumping on the hybrid bandwagon, Porsche gave the 918 a tiny 6.8 kWh lithium battery paired with dual electric motors.

The internal combustion engine is nothing to be sneezed at. Developed from the RS Spyder race car, the M18.00 displaces 4.6 liters, producing 599 hp. Two electric motors add a further 282 hp. The 918 Spyder is a fully-fledged hypercar on par with its rivals, McLaren’s P1 and the LaFerrari, topping out at 214 mph.

7. Lotus Evija

Undoubtedly, the Evija is jaw-dropping to look at. But are electric hypercars as good as their gasoline counterparts? On paper, the answer is a resounding yes. Under the bodywork, it might have more in common with a golf buggy, but the Evija is anything but pedestrian.

There is no mid-mounted engine here. The Evija is a fully electric hypercar packing enough power to shame most other road users. At each corner concealed within the wheel hubs, four electric motors combine to deliver a startling 2011 hp. Power versus battery technology limits the Evija’s performance. Even so, an artificially limited top speed of 218 mph is enough for any gearhead.

8. Bugatti Mistral

Not content with the fastest production car title, Bugatti is set to snatch the quickest roadster trophy. The only serious challenge is coming for mthe Hennessey Venom F5. For now, the Mistral, due to enter production in 2024, has to stay on the dream car list.

Unlike previous Bugattis, the Mistral is all new, sharing none of its panels with the Chiron. However, there are some carryovers, notably under the hood, where you’ll find Bugatti’s 8-liter quad-turbo W16 cranking out 1578 hp. Set to be the last vehicle to use the W16, the Mistral marks the end of an essential era in Bugatti history.

9. Zenvo ST1

Danish in origin, the Zenvo ST1 proves you don’t need exotic engines to crash the hypercar party. Peel away the aggressively styled carbon fiber body and find a familiar GM-sourced V8 that fills the engine bay. Understandably, the LS7 is modified extensively, displacing 5.8 liters and wearing a pair of turbos to produce 1104 hp.

Admittedly, looks are a matter of taste, but no one buys hypercars based on looks alone. What the ST1 lacks in grace, it makes up for in performance. Deploying the full quota of horses and torque, Zenvo claims a top speed of 233 mph, making the ST1 one of the fastest gasoline-burning cars you can buy.

10. Lamborghini Revuelto

Lamborghini’s flagship cars have all used V12 engines for as long as we can remember. The Revuelto is no different, deploying a 6.5-liter V12 producing 814 hp. While it’s a bit short on the magic 1000 hp figure to qualify for hypercar status, the Revuelto also features Lamborghinis from e-axle. All up, this raucous Italian boasts 1001 hp.

King of the hill in terms of outrageous design and street presence, Lamborghini knows its customers. While speed is essential, jaw-dropping styling sets this one apart. Nothing draws crowds like a Lamborghini, raising questions about how fast it is. Like other hypercars here, the Revuelto tops out at 217 mph.

11. Pininfarina Battista

The Pininfarina Battista is different from the other cars listed here. Rather than outright manufacturers, Pininfarina is a famous styling house known for designing many of the world’s best cars, from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.

Indeed, a logical step from design to building, the Battista is as gorgeous and fast as its peers. It is another hypercar EV that relies on four electric motors for maximum power and performance. At each corner, permanent electric motors prove their worth, dishing up 1900 hp, enough to see 60 mph in under 2 seconds. 

12. SP Automotive Chaos

We don’t blame you if you’ve never heard of SP Automotive. Unveiled in 2022, Spyros Panopoulos entered the hypercar segment with a jaw-dropping 2048 hp vehicle dubbed Chaos. The Chaos hasn’t turned a wheel in anger yet and will enter production in 2024. However, plans are already in place for a more potent version, upping power output to 3000 hp. 

Move over, Bugatti. Greek-based SP Automotive is aiming for the world’s fastest title. Thanks to a 4-liter twin-turbo V10 engine, even the base model looks set to join the exclusive 300+ mph club. 

13. Koenigsegg CC850

Swedish carmaker Koenigsegg is no stranger to fast cars. Their back catalog includes some of the quickest and most exclusive cars on the planet, including a four-seater capable of 248 mph. But there are faster cars available. The CC850 is a self-made celebratory model marking the brand’s 20th anniversary.

As specials go, the CC850 takes some beating. True to Koenigsegg tradition, running E85 gasoline boosts the turbocharged 5-liter V8 power output to 1385 hp, a gain that benefits performance and pushes the CC850’s top speed beyond 280 mph. 

14. Aspark Owl

New hypercars are becoming more popular despite environmental concerns in an ever-increasing market. Switching from gasoline to electric power offers the best of both worlds: speed and greenness. Aspark, founded in Japan 18 years ago, is the latest to provide a dream machine you’ll wish to get behind the wheel of.

Like many EV hypercars, the Owl boasts four electric motors driving each wheel independently. Built for pure speed, Aspark claims the 4186 lb hypercar with 1984 hp on tap will blitz 60 mph in 1.72 seconds. Keep your foot on the pedal, and a top speed of 260 mph is definitely on the radar.