The automotive world is experiencing a monumental shift. While trends like autonomous driving, ride-sharing platforms, and app-based car ownership offer convenience, they sometimes seem to overshadow the pure passion for automobiles and diminish car culture. However, it’s a mistake to think younger generations are becoming indifferent to cars. We’re living in an exciting era where technology and tradition converge, especially in the realm of ultra-high-performance machines. This fusion is perfectly embodied by the Super Cars dominating the market today.
With that in mind, we’ve refreshed our list of the 25 greatest super cars of this century so far. This selection is inherently subjective. Some of these models might not be the absolute fastest or the most agile, but they’ve all captured our imaginations and pushed the boundaries of innovation. And let’s be honest, some of them are simply the cars our inner child can’t stop dreaming about. The fact that these vehicles are destined to become the classics of tomorrow assures us that the love for automobiles is alive and well with future generations.
McLaren F1: The Benchmark Supercar
Image Credit: Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock.
While technically a creation of the 1990s, the McLaren F1 serves as the essential benchmark for all super cars that followed. Its top speed of 231 mph in 1992 was unprecedented for a production car – a truly mind-blowing achievement. The McLaren F1 redefined what was possible. With its lightweight carbon-fiber chassis, relentless focus on weight reduction, and a custom-built six-liter, 627 hp BMW V-12 engine, it could accelerate to 60 mph in a mere 3.2 seconds.
Priced at nearly $1 million at launch, it was also incredibly expensive. Today, if one of the 106 examples ever surfaces on the market, expect to pay around $20 million. Is it the ultimate supercar? Many would argue unequivocally yes. — Howard Walker
Ferrari LaFerrari: The Charismatic Hybrid Icon
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2013 was a landmark year for super cars, witnessing the debut of three monumental models from McLaren, Porsche, and Ferrari, collectively known as the “Holy Trinity.” Each of these super cars uniquely incorporated a hybrid powertrain.
Among them, the Ferrari LaFerrari stood out by featuring a naturally aspirated V-12 engine – a roaring and visceral powerplant. The LaFerrari was also the most powerful and arguably the most charismatic of this exceptional trio. Named to embody the essence of Ferrari, this 950 hp hypercar is poised to be remembered not just as the pinnacle of its era, but as one of the greatest Ferraris ever created. — Basem Wasef
McLaren P1: A New Contender in the Supercar Arena
Image Credit: Oleksiy Maksymenko/imageBROKER/Shutterstock.
Of the celebrated hybrid hypercars launched in 2013, two – the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder – came from established automotive giants. The McLaren P1, however, represented a relative newcomer, though one with a legendary heritage thanks to the 1990s McLaren F1. Despite the brand’s established pedigree, building the P1 flagship felt like starting anew.
McLaren leveraged advanced carbon-fiber construction, building upon their more accessible models. The P1, as the top-tier offering, boasted a thrilling 903 hp and an exceptionally lightweight chassis. This potent combination made it a formidable challenger to the established super car elite of the time. —BW
Porsche 918 Spyder: Game-Changing Hybrid Supercar Technology
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The 918 Spyder was a true innovator, showcasing the immense potential of plug-in hybrid technology within the super car 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 a staggering 944 ft lbs of instant torque.
Designed by Porsche’s chief designer, Michael Mauer, the 918 was initially unveiled 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. All 918 units were sold out by the end of 2014, reflecting the eagerness of Porsche enthusiasts to own the most powerful street-legal Porsche ever made at that point. Production ceased by mid-2015, and the 918 remains a highly sought-after collector super car today. — Robert Ross
Ferrari SF90 Stradale: Hybrid Power Meets Racing Heritage
Image Credit: Courtesy of Ferrari.
While the era of Ferrari’s twelve-cylinder halo super cars might be evolving due to environmental concerns, the eight-cylinder SF90 Stradale more than compensates. Celebrated as a street-legal tribute to Ferrari’s SF90 Formula 1 car, the SF90 Stradale is an undeniable hypercar, unleashing 1,000 hp from three electric motors and a twin-turbo V-8 engine.
Its fusion of exceptional hybrid performance and striking aesthetics draws inspiration from the best of Ferrari’s existing mid-engine models. Design cues like the 488’s side scoops and a motorsport-inspired nose pay homage to the brand’s racing legacy – a legacy the car proudly celebrates in its name: Scuderia Ferrari, 90 years. — Marco Della Cava
SSC Tuatara: Chasing the 300 MPH Dream
Image Credit: Courtesy of SSC North America.
The ambitious goal for SSC North America, based in Washington State, is to reach 300 mph with their new super car, the SSC Tuatara. To achieve this, the carbon-fiber 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 is underway, with a limited run of 100 examples planned, each priced at $1.6 million. SSC is no stranger to high-speed records. In 2007, their 1,287 hp Ultimate Aero achieved 256.14 mph, a record that stood for three years until the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport emerged. However, on January 17, 2021, the SSC Tuatara reclaimed the record with an average speed of 282.9 mph across two runs, verified by Racelogic. More recently, it officially clocked 295 mph, further solidifying its position in the super car speed race. —HW
Aston Martin Valkyrie: Formula 1 Engineering for the Road
Image Credit: Courtesy of Aston Martin.
Super car excellence is now a reality in the form of Aston Martin’s Valkyrie, which has entered production. This model sets 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 and incredibly strong carbon monocoque structure.
Adding to its pedigree, the Valkyrie was designed by Adrian Newey, a Formula 1 design icon and the current chief technical officer for Red Bull Racing. Production is limited to just 150 examples, each priced at $3.2 million. —HW
Rimac Nevera: The Electric Supercar Revolution
Image Credit: Philipp Rupprecht, courtesy of Rimac Automobili.
Groundbreaking super cars often emerge from unexpected places, and the Rimac Nevera has undeniably shaken the super car world. This battery-powered marvel shattered internal combustion records by delivering 1,914 hp to all four wheels, surpassing the zero-to-60 mph times of even McLarens and Koenigseggs. Even more remarkably, this EV hypercar is the brainchild 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 astonishing performance figures, but its legacy extends beyond a single model. In the summer of 2021, this Croatian startup acquired a majority stake in Bugatti, marking the first, and likely not last, instance of a legacy super car brand falling under the control of an electric vehicle innovator. —BW
Mercedes-AMG One: Formula 1 Power for the Street
Image Credit: Courtesy of Daimler AG.
How can a car just entering production be considered one of the greatest super cars of the 21st century? Because we are confident that the 1,000 hp Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 racer for the street will continue to be mind-blowing for years to come.
Unveiled as the Project One concept in 2017, this road-going beast faced technical hurdles, but that’s to be expected when you essentially build a Formula 1 car for public roads.
Powered by a hybrid-boosted 1.6-liter turbo V-6 and three electric motors, it’s projected to accelerate from zero to 124 mph in under 6 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph. Unsurprisingly, all 275 examples of these $2.6 million automotive masterpieces are already spoken for. —HW
Koenigsegg Jesko: Swedish Speed and Aerodynamic Prowess
Image Credit: Courtesy of Koenigsegg Automotive AB.
In 2017, Sweden’s Christian von Koenigsegg witnessed his Agera RS become the world’s fastest production car, achieving a two-way top speed of 277.9 mph. The Agera’s successor, the aggressively winged, 1,660 hp Jesko – named after Christian’s father – possesses the potential to surpass the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport’s 304.7 mph record.
The $3 million Jesko’s high-speed technology includes a screaming 5.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, featuring the world’s lightest V-8 crankshaft, weighing a mere 28 pounds. It’s no wonder that all 125 units of this super car scheduled for production have already been presold. —HW
Pininfarina Battista: Italian Design and Electric Performance
Image Credit: Pininfarina S.p.A.
Few names in automotive design carry more weight than Pininfarina. The Italian studio’s 62-year collaboration with Ferrari yielded icons like the 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and the classic Ferrari 308 GTS from Magnum P.I.
Thanks to support from India’s Mahindra Group, who acquired Pininfarina in 2015, and the electric vehicle expertise of Rimac, we now have the sensational Pininfarina Battista super car. Generating 1,900 hp and 1,696 ft lbs of torque from its 120 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and quad motors, this stunning electric coupe can launch from zero 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 of over 230 miles.
The first of the 150 cars being built – priced from $2.2 million – have already been delivered. For ultimate exclusivity, there’s a lavishly equipped Anniversario edition, limited to just five units, priced closer to $2.9 million, but all have been sold. —HW
Lotus Evija: The Living Electric Hypercar
Image Credit: John Wycherley, courtesy of Lotus Cars Limited.
Simply put, it’s the most powerful series-production road car ever made. The all-electric Lotus Evija delivers an astounding 2,011 hp and 1,256 ft lbs of torque. This power propels this low-slung projectile from zero to 62 mph in under three seconds and to 186 mph in a mere 9.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 217 mph.
The Evija – meaning “the living one” – is constructed with a carbon-fiber monocoque, Le Mans-inspired aerodynamics, and a cutting-edge electric powertrain developed by Williams Advanced Engineering.
With powerful electric motors at each wheel and a mid-mounted battery pack echoing Lotus’s mid-engine heritage, the Evija offers a pure electric driving range of around 250 miles. Using an 800 kW charger, the battery pack can be fully replenished in just nine minutes.
Only 130 examples of the Evija super car will be produced, with deliveries beginning in early 2023. The price? Expect to pay around $2.3 million. —HW
Ferrari Daytona SP3: Retro-Futuristic Icona
Image Credit: Ferrari S.p.A.
Ferrari’s Icona series of limited-production models pays tribute to the past by wrapping modern technology in retro-futuristic designs. The third Icona model is the Daytona SP3, reminiscent of the Ferrari 330 P4s that achieved a 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona.
While its air intakes and aerodynamics are functional, the Daytona SP3’s spirit is purely nostalgic – particularly its naturally aspirated V-12 engine that revs to 9,500 rpm and produces 829 horsepower. From its flared fenders to its dramatically sculpted rear, the $2.2 million Daytona SP3 will be a rolling work of art for its 599 owners. —BW
Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster: Open-Top Pursuit of 300 MPH
Image Credit: Hennessey Special Vehicles
We were captivated 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 break the elusive 300 mph barrier. While it hasn’t officially reached that target, a recorded top speed of 271.6 mph demonstrates its immense potential.
Now, the Venom F5 Roadster is poised to chase the 300 mph goal. Powered by the same 1,817 hp, 6.6-liter twin-turbo “Fury” V-8 as the coupe and weighing only 45 pounds more, this open-top super car could realistically achieve that speed benchmark. However, the lightweight carbon-fiber roof panel – weighing just 18 pounds – must remain in place to get anywhere close to the 300 mph club.
Yet, the true appeal of the Venom F5 Roadster lies in removing the roof and experiencing the full roar of its eight cylinders as it approaches its 8,500 rpm redline. Hennessey plans to build 30 examples of the Roadster, each priced at $3 million. —HW
Lamborghini Sterrato: The Off-Road Supercar
Image Credit: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
In the world of super cars, excess is often the norm. But for the final edition of the V-10-powered Huracán, Lamborghini chose a different kind of extravagance: knobby tires, a 1.7-inch increase in ride height, and protective cladding to shield the rugged all-wheel-drive coupe from off-road challenges. A roof-mounted air intake and auxiliary lights evoke images of overland vehicles and rally cars, bringing an unexpected go-anywhere attitude to the Lamborghini lineup.
While the Sterrato sacrifices 30 hp for enhanced drivability on loose surfaces (reducing the total to 601 hp), its Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain tires provide a unique thrill by slipping, sliding, and drifting through corners. As Lamborghini enters its hybrid and electric era, it bids farewell to the gasoline-powered age with a captivatingly dusty flourish. —BW
Pagani Utopia: Lightweight Artistry and V12 Power
Image Credit: Pagani Automobili S.p.A.
Horacio Pagani famously founded his eponymous super car company after Lamborghini resisted his push for lightweight carbon-fiber materials. Pagani’s successor to the Huayra, the Utopia, embraces next-level lightweighting with a “Carbo-Titanium” chassis, combining carbon and titanium with chrome subframes for a remarkably low dry weight of 2,822 pounds.
The Utopia, referencing Thomas More’s 1516 book, retains the Huayra’s 852 hp AMG V-12 engine powering the rear wheels, along with an available manual gearbox. Staying true to its lightweight philosophy, Pagani offers an automated single-clutch option for the automatic transmission, which is lighter, though less smooth, than a dual-clutch system. Pagani plans to build 99 examples of the Utopia, maintaining its exclusivity. —BW
Lamborghini Revuelto: V12 Hybrid Roar
Image Credit: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
The mid-mounted 6.5-liter V-12 has been a defining feature of Lamborghini’s Murciélago and Aventador flagships. Lamborghini embraces electrification while staying true to its V12 heritage, making it the centerpiece of its new hybrid powertrain in the Revuelto. Augmenting the 814 hp gasoline engine are three electric motors, boosting the total output of this wedge-shaped super car to 1,001 hp – the highest of any plug-in hybrid Lamborghini. Notably, this four-figure horsepower is achieved without turbochargers, preserving the thrilling exhaust note.
With numerous upgrades, including a more spacious cabin and a smoother dual-clutch transmission, the Revuelto is poised to give its competitors a fiercely charismatic challenge. —BW
Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Track Weapon, Road Thrill
Image Credit: Porsche AG
Since its debut in 1999, Porsche’s continuously evolving 911 GT3 has rightfully earned the title of “ultimate sports car.” Exciting on the road and exceptionally capable on the track, the GT3 embodies the essence of a driver’s car.
The latest GT3 RS simply amplifies everything to the extreme. With a towering rear wing providing immense downforce for incredible cornering, a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine producing 518 hp and revving to 9,000 rpm, and fully adjustable, intuitive suspension, the RS is a track missile that can elevate a good driver to greatness. —HW
Maserati MC20 Cielo: Open-Air Italian Supercar
Image Credit: Maserati S.p.A.
While Maserati’s MC12 from 2005 was arguably the brand’s first true super car, it was essentially a Ferrari Enzo in disguise, built in limited numbers to revive Maserati’s racing heritage. The mid-engined MC20 is a more convincing and authentic super car, featuring a unique carbon-fiber structure, a 621 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine developed in-house, and genuine super car handling and agility.
Initially introduced as a coupe with scissor doors in 2020, the new open-top Cielo is even more visually stunning. Both versions offer blistering acceleration, race car-like handling, and the versatility to be daily drivers. An all-electric version is anticipated soon. —HW
Zenvo Aurora: Danish Hypercar Disruptor
Image Credit: Zenvo Automotive A/S
Danish manufacturer Zenvo named its newest and most potent super car after the aurora borealis, a fitting choice given the Aurora’s aim to achieve near-light speed, or at least feel like it. Powered by a quad-turbocharged 6.6-liter V-12 engine boosted by twin electric motors, delivering up to 1,850 hp, the Aurora accelerates from zero to 60 mph in around 2.0 seconds, with a top speed of 280 mph.
Two versions will be available when production begins in 2025: the track-focused, rear-wheel-drive Agil, and the all-wheel-drive Tur grand tourer. We see the Zenvo Aurora as a significant disruptor in the hypercar market. —HW
Gordon Murray T.50s Niki Lauda: Track-Focused V12 Purity
Image Credit: Gordon Murray Automotive
Gordon Murray, the mastermind behind the original McLaren F1 road car and McLaren’s Formula One dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s, continues to create exceptional performance machines. The GMA T.50S Niki Lauda, a track-only super car, is lighter and more powerful than its road-going sibling, the T.50. This $3.86 million carbon-fiber missile is powered by a 3.9-liter naturally-aspirated V-12 from Cosworth, optimized to produce 772 horsepower. At a mere 1,924 pounds, GMA claims its power-to-weight ratio surpasses that of naturally aspirated LMP1 race cars. — Sean Evans
Ferrari 12Cilindri: Celebrating the Naturally Aspirated V12
Image Credit: Ferrari
While much of the super car world explores hybridization, Ferrari engineers remain non impressionato. The GT successor to the 812 Superfast, the 12Cilindri, is powered by a massive, naturally aspirated V-12 engine. To the heroes in Maranello, we say molto bene. This 6.5-liter engine revs to 9250 rpm, producing 819 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Ferrari’s in-house designer Flavio Manzoni and his team deserve applause for the overall shape and silhouette of the $417,000-plus 12Cilindri, which arguably surpasses the original Daytona coupe it honors. —SE
Lamborghini Sián FKP 37: Hybrid Lightning Bolt
Image Credit: Martyn Lucy
Sián means “flash of lightning” in Bolognese, a fitting name for Lamborghini’s hybridized V-12 super car, their first electrified vehicle. (FKP 37 honors former Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Karl Piëch and his birth year). The combination of the 6.5-liter V-12 and a 25 kW electric motor produces 808 horsepower, launching occupants to 60 mph in under 2.8 seconds. Production of the Sián was limited to 63 coupes and 19 roadsters, all instantly sold out, with starting prices around $3.7 million. However, some are now listed on the market for around $5 million. —SE
Bugatti Tourbillon: A New Era of Bugatti Hypercar
Image Credit: BUGATTI AUTOMOBILES
The Chiron’s successor, the Bugatti Tourbillon, marks several Bugatti firsts: the first V-16, the first electrified Bugatti, and the first Bugatti under CEO Mate Rimac’s leadership. This $4.6 million-plus coupe is actually smaller and lighter than the Chiron, a remarkable feat when transitioning a combustion engine vehicle to hybrid power. Rimac and the Molsheim engineering and design teams achieved this through intelligent component integration into the monocoque chassis. Producing 1,800 horsepower, the Tourbillon’s top speed, according to Bugatti, is 276 MPH, though the Swiss-watch-inspired speedometer reaches 550 KPH—or 341 MPH. Expect high-speed runs well into the 300s from this next generation super car. —SE
McLaren Speedtail: Hybrid Hyper-GT with Unmatched Customization
Image Credit: McLaren
The Speedtail is the second McLaren to offer a three-seat configuration, the first being the revolutionary McLaren F1 super car. Limited to just 106 units – each sold for at least $2.6 million – this 1,035-horsepower, 250-mile-per-hour hybrid is a showstopper whether on display or at full speed. (It accelerates from 0 to 186 MPH in just 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 super cars truly shine. Want crushed diamond dust in the paint? McLaren can do it. A platinum front badge? Available for $56,000. —SE
Authors
- Howard Walker
- Basem Wasef
- Robert Ross
- Marco Della Cava
- Sean Evans
