They cost a fortune, are as finely and carefully cut as diamonds, and are teeth-jarringly, giggle-inducingly fast. Supercars occupy a special place in the imaginations of car lovers everywhere. They are the stuff of gilded fantasy, seen only at a blur. Buckle up and brace yourself as we take a tour of 9 of our favorite supercars.
The Koenigsegg Agera has been heralded as the fastest production car in the world. Well, the Jesko just might steal that title with its 1600hp V8 and a targeted top speed of 300mph. Yes, you read that correctly, 300mph! The 9-speed, 7 clutch transmission has been dubbed the “Light Speed Transmission” by its creators. Debuting this past March at the Geneva Auto Show, the body of the Jesko is designed to maximize aerodynamic downforce and keep the car pinned to the road.
This V12 “Fighting Bull” boasting 730hp and 509 lb.-ft of torque is nothing to be trifled with. The single clutch, 7-speed automatic transmission will shift gears for you in just 50 milliseconds as it hurtles you toward a top speed of 217mph. With its super low, classic Lamborghini profile we have a hard time deciding which looks more spectacular, the coupe or the new convertible roadster. Lamborghini made sure to engineer the roadster so that there’s virtually no difference in speed between the two, despite increased drag and weight. Drop top or not, it doesn’t get more Lambo than the Aventador.
The Chiron is the pinnacle of modern automotive performance and engineering. It puts up Olympian numbers with its 1500hps and a blistering 0-60mph time of just 2.3 seconds. But it’s not just fast, it’s also among the most chic and distinctive of the current generation of supercars. It’s smooth, proportioned, and avoids the exaggerations that have become a hallmark of the supercar set. This near perfect marriage of modern styling and neck-snapping speed have car aficionados calling this Bugatti the greatest car on earth. And priced at just under $3 million, the individually handcrafted Chiron is as exclusive as it is fast.
Dihedral doors. Say it with me, di-he-dral doors. You know, those butterfly doors that open up rather than out. Yes, they are as fancy as the name implies. Indeed, the 720S has style and power from stem to stern. The 4.0-liter, 710hp twin-turbo V8 provides supercar levels of speed, like its sub-9 second quarter mile for instance. But it’s the steering on this machine that gets reviewers raving. You hear words like telepathic and phrases like heat-seeking to describe its responsiveness. The ride is also smoother and the cabin more spacious than many of its supercar competitors. Driving fast while looking great in luxurious comfort, all for around $300,000 starting out? Seems pretty super to me. Also, di-he-dral….
The Ferrari 488 is an update, both inside and out, of the beloved and oft coveted Ferrari 458. Along with new aerodynamics (resulting in 50% more downforce), the 488 has a new, lag-less twin-turbo V8 putting out 661hp and 561 lb.-ft of torque. In 2011, Motor Trend called the 458 their “Best Driver’s Car.” Its successor, the 488, gained that same title in 2017. It’s crazy fast, corners like nobody’s business, and can stop on a dime (from 60-0 mph in 94 ft.). Perfection, thy name is Ferrari.
Hearing hybrid might conjure up in the imagination a Prius or a compact cross-over. But the Porsche 918 combines its two electric motors with a naturally aspirated V8 to produce a jolting 874hp and 944 lb.-ft. of torque. Those electric motors do add some weight to the 918. However, the 4WD traction and monstrous torque more than make up for it. There were only 918 of these Porsches ever made. So, though the price for collectors and enthusiasts may run between $1 and $2 million, the 918 Spyder has the makings of a sound (and fierce sounding) investment.
You may want to sit down before I tell you the out-and-out silly horsepower on this all-electric Italian hypercar. Ready? 1874hp… for those of you that didn’t faint that translates to 0-60mph in under 2 seconds and hitting 180mph faster than an F-16. Potential buyers should have their chiropractors on speed dial for this one. This kind of acceleration doesn’t come cheap either as the Battista is price tagged at $2.5 million. But it’s not the price alone that makes this car exclusive. Pininfarina plans to build just 150 of these missiles, with only 50 of those shipping to North America. Only those who travel in that rarified air of the truly elite are likely get a chance at going fighter jet fast on four wheels.
Aston Martin proclaims the Superleggera’s power quote, “cannot be reasoned with.” Brutish? Feral? Unrestrained? Sign me up. Aston Martins are known as much for their refinement as they are for their power, and this car might as well be drinking tea with its pinky finger extended and a monocle pinched in its eye. The twin-turbo V12 will instantly pin you back into those super luxurious seats. Speaking of which, unlike most of the cars on this list, the Superleggera actually has a back seat. And with a top speed of 211mph, that makes it the fastest four-seat convertible in the world. Neck-snapping acceleration for the whole family, hooray! At around $300,000 the Superleggera is super affordable, for a super car that is. But if that’s not fancy enough there’s always the multi-million-dollar Aston Martin Valhalla hypercar.
The engine in the resurrected Ford GT might surprise you. Not because it churns out 647hp or has a 0-60mph time of 3 second or its 10.8 second quarter mile. No, what’s surprising is the GT keeps pace with the best of the European supercars despite its engine being only a twin-turbo V6. The GT achieves these numbers thanks to its gorgeous and distinctive body design built to maximize aerodynamics. Every curve has both aesthetic and functional value. It’s got hollow rear lights that help vent the intercoolers, an active rear wing, flying buttresses, an underbody diffuser, and nearly every line is drawn to reduce drag. And don’t forget about those signature hood vents. No wonder Lightning McQueen was so fast!
Got a favorite supercar? Let us know how much you’d pay to go 200mph in the comments.
I bought one but I had to return it because the cupholders were too small.
Awww no! That’s a bummer…