The automotive world is undeniably undergoing a massive transformation. The rise of self-driving technology, widespread ride-sharing services, and innovative app-based ownership models, while offering convenience, often seem to overshadow the fundamental passion for automobiles and the vibrant culture surrounding them.
However, it would be a mistake to assume that younger generations are losing interest in cars altogether. In fact, we are witnessing a fascinating convergence of technology and tradition, where analog craftsmanship meets artificial intelligence. This is especially evident in the current landscape of ultra-high-performance machines, the supercars that capture our imaginations.
With this in mind, we’ve revisited and updated our list of the 25 greatest supercars of this century. This is inherently a subjective exercise. Some models included might not be the absolute fastest or most agile, but they have each, in their own way, ignited our imaginations and pushed the boundaries of automotive innovation. And let’s be honest, some of them are simply the cars that our inner child feels compelled to sketch endlessly. These are the future classics, and they assure us that the love for exceptional automobiles will continue to thrive.
McLaren F1
While technically a product of the 1990s, the McLaren F1 serves as the essential benchmark and foundation for all supercars that followed in the 21st century. Its top speed of 231 mph in 1992 was an unprecedented achievement for a production car, a truly mind-blowing feat. The McLaren F1 redefined expectations with its feather-light carbon-fiber chassis, an unwavering commitment to weight reduction, and a custom-engineered six-liter, 627 hp BMW V-12 engine. This potent combination allowed it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.2 seconds.
Priced near $1 million at its launch, it was an exceptionally expensive supercar. Today, if one of the mere 106 examples ever becomes available, expect a price tag around $20 million. Is it the ultimate supercar? Many argue unequivocally in its favor. — Howard Walker
Ferrari LaFerrari
2013 marked a pivotal year for supercars, witnessing the debut of three groundbreaking models from McLaren, Porsche, and Ferrari, collectively known as the “Holy Trinity.” Each of these supercars, while distinct, incorporated a hybrid powertrain.
Among the trio, the Ferrari LaFerrari stood out by featuring a naturally aspirated V-12 engine – a roaring, visceral powerplant. The LaFerrari was also the most powerful and, arguably, the most charismatic of this extraordinary group. Bearing a name that signified its role as the epitome of the Ferrari brand, this 950 hp hypercar may not only be remembered as the pinnacle of its era but also as one of the greatest Ferrari supercars ever created. — Basem Wasef
McLaren P1
Of the celebrated hybrid hypercars that emerged in 2013, two – the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder – originated from established automotive giants. The McLaren P1, however, represented a relative newcomer to this elite echelon. While McLaren had cemented its place in hypercar history with the legendary F1 of the 1990s, their extended absence from the top tier made the P1 project feel like a fresh start.
McLaren leveraged advanced carbon-fiber construction techniques from their more accessible models, but the P1, as their flagship supercar, boasted a staggering 903 hp and an exceptionally lightweight chassis. This made it a formidable contender against the established supercar hierarchy of the time. —BW
Porsche 918 Spyder
The 918 Spyder was a true game-changer, demonstrating the immense potential of plug-in hybrid technology within the supercar realm. A naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V-8 engine producing 599 hp was augmented by two electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 877 hp and 944 ft lbs of instant torque.
Designed by Porsche’s chief designer, Michael Mauer, the 918 was initially presented as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show to gauge market interest. Production commenced in late 2013 with a base MSRP of $845,000. The entire production run of 918 units sold out by the end of 2014, reflecting the eagerness of Porsche enthusiasts to own the most powerful street-legal Porsche supercar ever built. Production concluded by mid-2015, and the 918 remains a highly coveted collector car today. — Robert Ross
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
While the era of Ferrari’s 12-cylinder halo supercars might be fading in today’s eco-conscious climate, the eight-cylinder SF90 Stradale more than compensates. Marketed as a road-legal tribute to Ferrari’s SF90 Formula 1 car, the SF90 Stradale is an unapologetic hypercar boasting a phenomenal 1,000 hp from three electric motors and a twin-turbo V-8 engine.
Its fusion of exceptional hybrid powertrain performance and striking aesthetics draws from the best aspects of existing mid-engined models. Note the subtle nod to the 488’s side scoops and the strong connection to the brand’s racing heritage. The front end design unmistakably evokes motorsport, which this supercar celebrates in its name: Scuderia Ferrari, 90 years. — Marco Della Cava
SSC Tuatara
The target: 300 mph. This is the ambitious goal that Washington State–based SSC North America set for its new SSC Tuatara hypercar. To achieve this extraordinary speed, the carbon-fiber-bodied Tuatara – named after a spiny lizard native to New Zealand – is equipped with a 5.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine producing a massive 1,726 hp.
Production has commenced with a planned run of 100 examples, each priced at $1.6 million. SSC is not new to the high-speed arena. In 2007, their 1,287 hp Ultimate Aero reached 256.14 mph, a record that stood for three years until the Bugatti Veyron Super Sports emerged. However, on January 17, 2021, the SSC Tuatara reclaimed the record with two runs averaging 282.9 mph, verified by Racelogic. More recently, it officially clocked 295 mph, solidifying its position as a top contender for the fastest supercar title. —HW
Aston Martin Valkyrie
Aston Martin’s Valkyrie, a pinnacle of supercar engineering, is now in production, setting a new benchmark for the automaker in terms of street-legal, production car performance. It’s the result of combining a 1,000 hp, 6.5-liter V-12 engine with a 160 hp Rimac-developed hybrid-electric system, all within a lightweight, incredibly strong carbon monocoque structure.
Adding to its pedigree, the Valkyrie was designed by Adrian Newey, a Formula 1 design legend and the current chief technical officer for Red Bull Racing. Production is limited to 150 examples, each priced at $3.2 million, making it an exclusive and highly sought-after supercar. —HW
Rimac Nevera
Landmark supercars often emerge from unexpected origins, and the Rimac Nevera has caused a seismic shift in the supercar landscape. This battery-powered marvel has shattered internal combustion records by delivering 1,914 hp to all four wheels, surpassing the 0-60 mph acceleration times of supercars from McLaren to Koenigsegg. Even more remarkably, this electric hypercar is the creation of Mate Rimac, a Croatian prodigy who founded the company in 2011 at just 33 years old.
The Rimac Nevera’s initial impact stemmed from its sensational performance figures, but its lasting legacy extends beyond just a model. In the summer of 2021, the Croatian startup acquired a majority stake in Bugatti, marking the first instance of a legacy supercar brand falling under the control of an EV innovator. This event signals a potential paradigm shift in the automotive industry. —BW
Mercedes-AMG One
How can a supercar just entering production be considered one of the “greats” of the 21st century? Because we are confident that the 1,000 hp Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 racer for the street, the Mercedes-AMG One, will continue to be a mind-blowing machine for years to come.
Unveiled as the Project One concept in 2017, this road-going monster faced technical hurdles during development. However, the challenges are understandable when you essentially aim to build a Formula 1 car that is street-legal.
Powered by a hybrid-boosted 1.6-liter turbo V-6 engine and three electric motors, it is projected to accelerate from 0 to 124 mph in under 6 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph. Unsurprisingly, all 275 examples of this $2.6 million supercar masterpiece are already sold out. —HW
Koenigsegg Jesko
In 2017, Sweden’s Christian von Koenigsegg witnessed his Agera RS become the world’s fastest production car with a two-way average top speed of 277.9 mph. The Agera’s successor, the aggressively winged, 1,660 hp Jesko – named in honor of Christian’s father – possesses the potential to surpass the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport’s 304.7 mph record.
The $3 million Jesko incorporates cutting-edge technology for speed, including a screaming 5.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine featuring the world’s lightest V-8 crankshaft, weighing a mere 28 pounds. It is no surprise that all 125 units of this exceptional supercar, scheduled for production, have already been pre-sold. —HW
Pininfarina Battista
Few names in automotive design carry as much legacy as Pininfarina. The Italian studio’s 62-year collaboration with Ferrari produced icons like the 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and the classic Ferrari 308 GTS from Magnum P.I. (Less successful ventures like the Cadillac Allanté are also part of their history).
With support from India’s Mahindra Group, who acquired Pininfarina in late 2015, and collaboration with Croatian EV specialists Rimac, we get the sensational Pininfarina Battista hypercar. Packing 1,900 hp and 1,696 ft lbs of torque from its 120 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and quad motors, this stunning electric two-seater coupe can launch from 0 to 60 mph in 1.8 seconds and reach 186 mph in just 12 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 217 mph, and it boasts a range exceeding 230 miles.
The first of 150 Battista supercars being built – priced from $2.2 million each – has already been delivered. For ultimate exclusivity, the lavishly equipped Anniversario edition, limited to just five units, was priced closer to $2.9 million, and all are already sold. —HW
Lotus Evija
Simply put, it is the most powerful series-production road car ever created. The Lotus Evija delivers an astounding 2,011 hp and 1,256 ft lbs of torque. This is enough to propel this low-slung projectile from 0 to 62 mph in under three seconds and from 0 to 186 mph in a mere 9.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 217 mph.
This is the all-electric Lotus Evija, from the legendary British sports car manufacturer founded by Colin Chapman in 1952. The new Evija – meaning “the living one” – features a full carbon-fiber monocoque, Le Mans-inspired aerodynamics, and a state-of-the-art electric powertrain developed by Williams Advanced Engineering.
The powertrain is truly exceptional, with powerful electric motors at each wheel and a mid-mounted battery pack echoing Lotus’ tradition of mid-engine placement. It offers a pure electric driving range of around 250 miles. Connected to an 800 kW charger, the battery pack can be fully replenished in just nine minutes.
Only 130 examples of the Evija supercar will be produced, with initial deliveries starting in early 2023. The expected price is around $2.3 million. —HW
Ferrari Daytona SP3
The Icona series of limited-production models from Ferrari pays tribute to the brand’s heritage by encasing modern engineering in retro-futuristic designs. The third Icona model from Modena is the Daytona SP3, reminiscent of the Ferrari 330 P4s that achieved a 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967.
While its air intakes and aerodynamics are functional, the Daytona SP3 is primarily about nostalgia, particularly its naturally aspirated V-12 engine that revs to 9,500 rpm and produces 829 horsepower. From its pronounced fenders to its dramatically sculpted rear, the $2.2 million Daytona SP3 will be a moving work of art for its 599 owners. —BW
Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster
We were impressed by the outrageous 1,817 hp Venom F5 Coupe from John Hennessey and his team at Hennessey Special Vehicles. When it debuted in 2021, the Venom F5 was designed to shatter the elusive 300 mph barrier. While it hasn’t quite reached that target, a recorded top speed of 271.6 mph demonstrates its immense potential.
Now, it’s the Venom F5 Roadster’s turn to pursue the 300 mph goal. Powered by the same 1,817 hp, 6.6-liter twin-turbo “Fury” V-8 engine as the coupe, and weighing only 45 pounds more, this open-top supercar could very well achieve that speed benchmark. However, the removable, lightweight carbon-fiber roof panel – weighing just 18 pounds – must remain in place to approach the 300 mph club.
The true appeal of the Venom F5 Roadster, however, may be removing the roof and experiencing the full roar of its eight cylinders as it reaches its 8,500 rpm redline. Hennessey plans to build 30 examples of the Roadster, each priced at $3 million. —HW
Lamborghini Sterrato
In the world of supercars, more is often considered better. However, for the final iteration of the V-10-powered Huracán, Lamborghini opted for a different kind of excess: knobby tires, a 1.7-inch increase in ride height, and extensive cladding to protect the rugged all-wheel-drive coupe from off-road challenges. A roof-mounted air intake and auxiliary lights on the front evoke images of overland vehicles and rally cars, injecting an unexpected go-anywhere attitude into the Lamborghini lineup.
While the Sterrato sacrifices 30 hp in favor of enhanced drivability on loose surfaces (reducing the total to 601 hp), its Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain tires offer a different kind of thrill, allowing for controlled slips, slides, and drifts through tight corners. As Lamborghini transitions into a hybridized and electrified future, it concludes its gas-powered era with a uniquely dusty and exciting exclamation point. —BW
Pagani Utopia
Horacio Pagani famously established his eponymous supercar atelier after Lamborghini resisted his proposals to utilize lightweight carbon-fiber materials. Pagani’s successor to the Huayra model, the Utopia, embraces next-level lightweighting through what the brand calls a “Carbo-Titanium” chassis. This combines carbon and titanium with chrome subframes, resulting in a remarkably light dry weight of 2,822 pounds.
The new Utopia, named after Thomas More’s 1516 book, retains the Huayra’s 852 hp AMG V-12 engine powering the rear wheels, and offers an available manual gearbox. Staying true to its lightweight philosophy, Pagani equips the automatic version with an automated single-clutch unit, which is lighter, though less smooth than a dual-clutch system. Pagani plans to produce 99 examples of the Utopia, emphasizing its exclusivity and desirability for a select few. —BW
Lamborghini Revuelto
The mid-mounted 6.5-liter V-12 engine has been a defining characteristic of Lamborghini’s Murciélago and Aventador flagships. As the Italian brand enters the age of electrification, it does so while retaining this iconic engine as the heart of its new hybrid powertrain. Supplementing the 814 hp gasoline engine are three electric motors, boosting the total output of this wedge-shaped beast to 1,001 hp – the highest power output of any plug-in hybrid Lamborghini supercar. Crucially, this four-digit horsepower figure is achieved without turbochargers, preserving the raw, naturally aspirated engine sound.
The Revuelto features a host of updates, from a more spacious cabin to a long-awaited, smoother-shifting dual-clutch transmission. Lamborghini’s new range-topping supercar is poised to offer formidable and charismatic competition. —BW
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Since its debut in 1999, Porsche’s continuously evolving 911 GT3 has rightfully earned the title of “ultimate sports car.” Equally exhilarating on the road and capable on the track, the GT3 embodies the essence of a driver’s car.
The latest GT3 RS simply amplifies everything to an extreme level. With its towering rear wing generating immense downforce for exceptional cornering grip, a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine delivering 518 hp and revving to 9,000 rpm, and fully adjustable, intuitive suspension, the RS is a track weapon capable of transforming a good driver into an exceptional one. —HW
Maserati MC20 Cielo
While Maserati’s MC12 from 2005 could be considered the Italian marque’s first true supercar of the modern era, it was essentially a thinly veiled Ferrari Enzo, built in limited numbers primarily for racing. The mid-engined MC20, however, is a more convincing and authentic supercar, featuring a unique carbon-fiber structure, a 621 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine (developed in-house), and genuine supercar agility and dynamics.
Initially introduced as a scissor-door coupe in 2020, the new open-top Cielo version is even more visually striking. Both variants offer blistering acceleration, race car-like handling, and surprising daily usability. An all-electric version is anticipated soon, further expanding the MC20’s appeal. —HW
Zenvo Aurora
Danish automaker Zenvo named its newest and most powerful creation after the aurora borealis, the mesmerizing celestial light display. A fitting choice, as the Aurora aims to achieve near-light speed, or at least feel like it. Powered by a quad-turbocharged 6.6-liter V-12 engine enhanced by twin electric motors producing up to 1,850 hp, the Aurora is projected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.0 seconds, with a top speed of 280 mph.
Two versions will be offered when production begins in 2025: the track-focused, rear-wheel-drive Agil, and the all-wheel-drive Tur grand tourer. The Zenvo Aurora is positioned to be a significant disruptor in the hypercar market. —HW
Gordon Murray T.50s Niki Lauda
Gordon Murray, the brilliant mind behind the original McLaren F1 road car and McLaren’s Formula One dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s, continues to create astonishing performance machines. The GMA T.50S Niki Lauda, a track-only supercar, is even lighter and more powerful than its road-going sibling, the T.50. This $3.86 million carbon-fiber marvel is powered by a 3.9-liter naturally aspirated V-12 engine from Cosworth, optimized to produce 772 horsepower. Weighing a mere 1,924 pounds, GMA claims its power-to-weight ratio exceeds that of naturally aspirated LMP1 race cars. — Sean Evans
Ferrari 12Cilindri
While much of the supercar world explores hybridization, Ferrari engineers remain non impressionato. The GT successor to the 812 Superfast, the 12Cilindri, is powered by a magnificent, naturally aspirated V-12 engine. To the heroes in Maranello, we say molto bene. This 6.5-liter engine revs to 9250 rpm and produces 819 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. In-house designer Flavio Manzoni and his team deserve applause for the overall design and silhouette of the $417,000-plus 12Cilindri, which arguably surpasses the original Daytona coupe in aesthetic appeal, to which it pays homage. —SE
Lamborghini Sián FKP 37
Sián, meaning “flash of lightning” in Bolognese dialect, is a fitting name for Lamborghini’s hybridized V-12 supercar, the brand’s first electrified vehicle. (FKP 37 is a tribute to former Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Karl Piëch and his birth year). The combination of the 6.5-liter V-12 engine and a 25 kW electric motor results in 808 horsepower, propelling occupants to 60 mph in under 2.8 seconds. Production of the Sián was limited to 63 coupes and 19 roadster models, all of which sold instantly, with starting prices around $3.7 million. However, some are now listed on the market for upwards of $5 million, reflecting their collectibility and desirability as a groundbreaking Lamborghini supercar. —SE
Bugatti Tourbillon
The Bugatti Tourbillon, successor to the Chiron, marks several Bugatti firsts: the first V-16 engine, the first electrified Bugatti, and the first Bugatti under the leadership of new CEO Mate Rimac. This $4.6 million-plus supercar is actually smaller and lighter than the Chiron, a remarkable achievement when transitioning from a combustion engine vehicle to a hybrid. Rimac and the engineering and design teams in Molsheim accomplished this through intelligent component integration within the monocoque chassis. Producing 1,800 horsepower, the Tourbillon’s top speed, according to Bugatti, is 276 MPH, but the Swiss-watch-inspired speedometer extends to 550 KPH – or 341 MPH, suggesting potential high-speed runs well into the 300 mph range. —SE
McLaren Speedtail
The Speedtail is the second McLaren supercar to feature a three-seat configuration, the first being the revolutionary McLaren F1. With only 106 units produced – each priced at a minimum of $2.6 million – this 1,035-horsepower, 250-mile-per-hour hybrid supercar is guaranteed to attract attention, whether displayed at a concours event or speeding down a highway. (And it will be a blur: the Speedtail accelerates from 0 to 186 MPH in a mere 13 seconds). The Speedtail is full of innovation, from flexible carbon fiber ailerons integrated into the clamshell tail to the standard 24K gold toolkit. However, the customization options are where these supercars truly shine. For instance, McLaren offers the option to include crushed diamond dust in the paint, or a platinum front badge – available for a mere $56,000. —SE
Authors
- Howard Walker
- Basem Wasef
- Robert Ross
- Marco Della Cava
- Sean Evans
