There’s no question that the automotive world is undergoing a massive transformation. While innovations in self-driving cars, widespread ride-sharing, and app-based ownership models offer convenience, they sometimes seem to overshadow the deep passion for automobiles and the vibrant car culture.
However, it’s wrong to think that younger generations are losing interest in cars. In fact, we’re seeing an exciting blend of technology and tradition, of analog and artificial intelligence, especially in today’s top-rated supercars.
That’s why we’ve updated our list of the 25 greatest supercars of this century so far. Choosing these models is definitely subjective. Some might not be the absolute fastest or most agile, but they’ve captured our imaginations and pushed the boundaries of automotive innovation. And let’s be honest, some are just the cars we dreamed of drawing as kids. These are the future classics, and they assure us that the love for cars is alive and well with the next generation.
McLaren F1
Image Credit: Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock
Okay, technically the McLaren F1 is from the 1990s, but it sets the standard for all supercars that followed. Its top speed of 231 mph in 1992 was unprecedented. It was a mind-blowing achievement. The McLaren F1 redefined what was possible. With its lightweight carbon-fiber chassis, obsessive 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 when new, it was incredibly expensive. Today, if one of the 106 ever comes up for sale, expect to pay around $20 million. Is it the ultimate supercar? Many would say, without a doubt. — Howard Walker
Ferrari LaFerrari
Image Credit: Kailin Huang/Shutterstock
2013 was a landmark year for supercars, with McLaren, Porsche, and Ferrari each launching major models, earning them the title “Holy Trinity.” Each of these supercars uniquely incorporated a hybrid powertrain.
Among them, only the Ferrari LaFerrari featured a V-12 engine – a naturally aspirated and incredibly powerful one. The LaFerrari was also the most powerful and, arguably, the most charismatic of this extraordinary trio. Named to represent the essence of Ferrari, this 950 hp hypercar could be remembered not just as the pinnacle of its era, but as one of the greatest Ferraris ever created. — Basem Wasef
McLaren P1
Image Credit: Oleksiy Maksymenko/imageBROKER/Shutterstock
Of the three celebrated hybrid hypercars launched in 2013, the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder came from established automakers, while the McLaren P1 represented a relative newcomer. While McLaren had cemented its place in hypercar history with the legendary F1 in the 90s, the long gap meant building this flagship model felt like starting anew.
McLaren leveraged advanced carbon-fiber construction from its more accessible models, but the top-tier P1 boasted an incredible 903 hp and an exceptionally light chassis. This made it a formidable competitor against the established supercar brands of the time. —BW
Porsche 918 Spyder
Image Credit: auto-data.net/Shutterstock
The 918 Spyder was a true revolution, proving the potential of plug-in hybrid technology in the supercar world. A naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V-8 engine producing 599 hp was boosted by two electric motors, delivering a total output of 877 hp and 944 ft lbs of instant torque.
Designed by Porsche’s chief designer, Michael Mauer, the 918 debuted as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show to gauge interest. Production began in late 2013 with a base MSRP of $845,000. All 918 units were sold out by the end of 2014, as Porsche enthusiasts eagerly sought the most powerful street-legal Porsche ever made. Production ceased in mid-2015, and the 918 remains a highly sought-after collector’s car today. — Robert Ross
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Image Credit: Courtesy of Ferrari
While the era of Ferrari’s 12-cylinder flagship models might be changing due to environmental concerns, the eight-cylinder SF90 Stradale more than compensates. Marketed as a road car inspired by Ferrari’s SF90 Formula 1 car, the SF90 Stradale is a true hypercar, boasting 1,000 hp from three electric motors and a twin-turbo V-8 engine.
Its combination of exceptional hybrid powertrain performance and striking design draws inspiration from the best of Ferrari’s rear-engined models. Note the echoes of the 488’s side scoops and the clear motorsport lineage—the front design strongly evokes racing, which this car celebrates in its name: Scuderia Ferrari, 90 years. — Marco Della Cava
SSC Tuatara
Image Credit: Courtesy of SSC North America
The goal: 300 mph. That’s the target SSC North America, based in Washington State, set for its new SSC Tuatara hypercar. To achieve this, the carbon-fiber Tuatara—named after a spiny lizard from New Zealand—utilizes a 5.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 producing a massive 1,726 hp.
Production has commenced with a plan to build 100 units, each priced at $1.6 million. SSC is no stranger to high-speed records. In 2007, their 1,287 hp Ultimate Aero reached 256.14 mph. This record stood for three years until Bugatti’s Veyron Super Sport surpassed it. 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. —HW
Aston Martin Valkyrie
Image Credit: Courtesy of Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s Valkyrie, a pinnacle of supercar engineering, is now in 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, incredibly strong carbon monocoque structure.
Adding to its impressiveness, 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. —HW
Rimac Nevera
Image Credit: Philipp Rupprecht, courtesy of Rimac Automobili
Groundbreaking cars often emerge from unexpected places, and the Rimac Nevera has made a seismic impact on the supercar world. This all-electric Nevera shattered internal combustion records by delivering 1,914 hp to all four wheels, outperforming zero-to-60 mph times of supercars from McLaren to Koenigsegg. Even more surprisingly, this EV 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 was due to its incredible performance figures, but its legacy extends beyond just one model. In the summer of 2021, the Croatian startup acquired a majority stake in Bugatti, marking the first time a legacy supercar brand came under the control of an EV startup, a trend likely to continue. —BW
Mercedes-AMG One
Image Credit: Courtesy of Daimler AG
How can a car just entering production be considered one of the greatest supercars of the 21st century? Because we are confident that the 1,000 hp Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 car for the road, expected to arrive next summer, will remain mind-blowing for years.
First unveiled as the Project One concept in 2017, this road-legal monster faced technical hurdles, understandable given the ambition to essentially build a Formula 1 car for everyday roads.
Powered by a hybrid-boosted 1.6-liter turbo V-6 and three electric motors, it is projected to reach 0-124 mph in under 6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217 mph. Unsurprisingly, all 275 units of these $2.6 million masterpieces are already sold. —HW
Koenigsegg Jesko
Image Credit: Courtesy of Koenigsegg Automotive AB
In 2017, Christian von Koenigsegg of Sweden saw 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 after Christian’s father—might just 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 only 28 pounds. It’s no surprise that all 125 units scheduled for production are already presold. —HW
Pininfarina Battista
Image Credit: Pininfarina S.p.A.
Few names in automotive design are as legendary as Pininfarina. The Italian studio’s 62-year collaboration with Ferrari created icons like the 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and the classic Ferrari 308 GTS from Magnum P.I.. The Cadillac Allanté? Perhaps less so.
Thanks to India’s Mahindra Group, which rescued Pininfarina in late 2015, and the Croatian EV expertise of Rimac, we have the stunning Pininfarina Battista hypercar. With 1,900 hp and 1,696 ft lbs of torque from its 120 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and quad motors, this breathtaking electric two-seater coupe can launch from 0 to 60 mph in 1.8 seconds and 0 to 186 mph in 12 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 217 mph. And it offers a range of over 230 miles.
The first of 150 planned cars—priced from $2.2 million each—has already been delivered. For something truly exclusive, there’s the Anniversario edition, limited to just five units. These are priced closer to $2.9 million, but all are already sold. —HW
Lotus Evija
Image Credit: John Wycherley, courtesy of Lotus Cars Limited
It’s simply the most powerful series-production road car ever. The all-electric Lotus Evija boasts an astonishing 2,011 hp and 1,256 ft lbs of torque. This is enough to propel this low-slung machine from 0 to 62 mph in under three seconds and 0 to 186 mph in just 9.1 seconds. Top speed? Limited to 217 mph.
This is the Lotus Evija, from the iconic British sports-car maker founded by Colin Chapman in 1952. The new Evija—meaning “the living one”—features a carbon-fiber monocoque, Le Mans-inspired aerodynamics, and a state-of-the-art electric powertrain developed by Williams Advanced Engineering.
And what a powertrain. With powerful electric motors at each wheel and a mid-mounted battery pack echoing Lotus’ mid-engine tradition, it offers around 250 miles of pure electric range. Using an 800 kW charger, the battery can be fully replenished in just nine minutes.
Only 130 Evijas will be built, with deliveries starting in early 2023. Expect a price tag of around $2.3 million. —HW
Ferrari Daytona SP3
Image Credit: Ferrari S.p.A.
The Icona series of limited-production models pays tribute to the past by combining modern engineering with retro-futuristic designs. The third Icona from Modena is the Daytona SP3, recalling the Ferrari 330 P4s that dominated the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing first, second, and third.
While its air intakes and aerodynamics are functional, the SP3’s spirit is purely nostalgic—particularly its naturally aspirated V-12 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 piece of kinetic art for its 599 owners. —BW
Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster
Image Credit: Hennessey Special Vehicles
We were impressed by the outrageous 1,817 hp Venom F5 Coupe from John Hennessey and his team at Hennessey Special Vehicles in Texas. When it debuted in 2021, the Venom F5 was designed to break the elusive 300 mph barrier. While it hasn’t quite reached that mark, a recorded top speed of 271.6 mph shows its potential.
Now, it’s the Venom F5 Roadster’s turn to aim for 300 mph. 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 supercar could very well achieve that speed benchmark. However, the lightweight, lift-out carbon-fiber roof panel—weighing just 18 pounds—must be in place to get anywhere near the 300 mph club.
But for us, the real appeal of the Venom F5 Roadster is removing the roof and experiencing the full roar of those eight cylinders as it revs to its 8,500 rpm redline. Hennessey plans to build 30 Roadsters, each priced at $3 million. —HW
Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato
Image Credit: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
In the world of supercars, more is often considered better. But for the final version of the V-10-powered Huracán, Lamborghini chose a different kind of excess: knobby tires, a 1.7-inch increase in ride height, and protective cladding for off-road driving. A roof-mounted air intake and auxiliary lights recall rally racers and overlanders, adding unexpected off-road capability to the Lamborghini lineup.
Although the Sterrato sacrifices 30 hp for better off-road drivability (reducing the total to 601 hp), its Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain tires offer a different kind of thrill, allowing for controlled slides and drifts through corners. As Lamborghini moves into a hybridized and electric future, it bids farewell to the gasoline era with a fun and dusty send-off. —BW
Pagani Utopia
Image Credit: Pagani Automobili S.p.A.
Horacio Pagani famously founded his supercar company after Lamborghini rejected his push for lightweight carbon-fiber materials. Pagani’s successor to the Huayra, the Utopia, further embraces lightweighting with a “Carbo-Titanium” chassis, combining carbon and titanium with chrome subframes, resulting in a remarkably light 2,822-pound dry weight.
The new Utopia, named after Thomas More’s 1516 book, continues to use the Huayra’s 852 hp AMG V-12 engine powering the rear wheels, and offers an optional manual gearbox. Maintaining its lightweight focus, Pagani chose an automated single-clutch for the automatic option, which is lighter than a dual-clutch, albeit less smooth. Pagani states that only 99 Utopia models will be built, ensuring exclusivity for a select few. —BW
Lamborghini Revuelto
Image Credit: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
The mid-mounted 6.5-liter V-12 has been a signature feature of Lamborghini’s Murciélago and Aventador flagships. As Lamborghini enters the electric era, it does so while retaining this large-displacement 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 of any plug-in hybrid Lamborghini. Notably, this four-digit horsepower figure is achieved without turbochargers, which can sometimes dampen the exhaust sound.
With numerous upgrades throughout the Revuelto, from a more spacious interior to a smoother dual-clutch transmission, Lamborghini’s new flagship is set to give its competitors a fiercely charismatic challenge. —BW
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Image Credit: Porsche AG
Since its introduction in 1999, Porsche’s continuously evolving 911 GT3 has rightfully earned the title of “ultimate sports car.” Thrilling on the road and incredibly capable on the track, the GT3 truly embodies the essence of a driver’s car.
The latest GT3 RS takes everything to an extreme level. With its 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 weapon with the rare ability to elevate a good driver to greatness. —HW
Maserati MC20 Cielo
Image Credit: Maserati S.p.A.
While Maserati’s MC12 from 2005 was arguably the brand’s first true supercar, it was essentially a Ferrari Enzo in disguise, built in very limited numbers primarily for racing. The mid-engined MC20 is far more convincing as a true supercar, featuring a unique carbon-fiber structure, a 621 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine (developed in-house), and genuine supercar handling and agility.
Launched as a scissor-doored coupe in 2020, the new open-top Cielo is even more striking. Both versions offer incredibly quick acceleration, race car-like handling, and the practicality to be used as daily drivers. An all-electric version is expected soon. —HW
Zenvo Aurora
Image Credit: Zenvo Automotive A/S
Danish automaker Zenvo named its newest and most powerful creation after the aurora borealis, a fitting choice considering the Aurora aims to accelerate with near-light speed, or at least it feels that way. Powered by a quad-turbocharged 6.6-liter V-12 engine boosted by twin electric motors, producing up to 1,850 hp, the Aurora is projected to launch from 0-60 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
Image Credit: Gordon Murray Automotive
Gordon Murray is the mastermind behind the original McLaren F1 road car and much of McLaren’s Formula One dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s. At 78, he continues to create incredible performance machines. The GMA T.50S Niki Lauda is a prime example: a track-only supercar that 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. Weighing a mere 1,924 pounds, GMA claims its power-to-weight ratio exceeds that of naturally aspirated LMP1 cars. — Sean Evans
Ferrari 12Cilindri
Image Credit: Ferrari
While much of the supercar world is figuring out hybrid technology, 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 engineers 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 many consider even more beautiful than the original Daytona coupe it honors. —SE
Lamborghini Sián FKP 37
Image Credit: Martyn Lucy
Sián means “flash of lightning” in Bolognese, a fitting name for this hybridized V-12 Lamborghini, the first electrified vehicle from the Italian brand. (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 and a 25 kW electric motor produces 808 horsepower, propelling occupants to 60 mph in under 2.8 seconds. Sián production was limited to 63 coupes and 19 roadster models, all sold instantly, with starting prices around $3.7 million. However, some are now listed on the market for as high as $5 million. —SE
Bugatti Tourbillon
Image Credit: BUGATTI AUTOMOBILES
The Chiron’s successor, the Bugatti Tourbillon, marks several firsts for Bugatti: the first V-16, the first electrified Bugatti, and the first Bugatti under the leadership of new CEO Mate Rimac. This $4.6 million-plus coupe is actually smaller and lighter than the Chiron, a rare feat when converting a combustion engine car to a hybrid. Rimac and the Molsheim engineers achieved this through clever component integration into the monocoque chassis. Producing 1,800 horsepower, the Tourbillon’s top speed, according to Bugatti, is 276 MPH, but the Swiss-watch-inspired speedometer goes up to 550 KPH—or 341 MPH. Expect top speed runs well into the 300s. —SE
McLaren Speedtail
Image Credit: McLaren
The Speedtail is the second McLaren to offer a three-seat configuration, the first being the revolutionary McLaren F1. Limited to just 106 units—each priced at least $2.6 million—this 1,035-horsepower, 250-mile-per-hour hybrid will command attention whether parked at a concours event or speeding past you on the highway. (And it will be a blur: the Speedtail accelerates from 0 to 186 MPH in just 13 seconds.) The Speedtail is full of amazing details, from the flexible carbon fiber ailerons integrated into the clamshell tail to the standard 24K gold toolkit. But the customization options are where these supercars truly shine. For example, if you desire crushed diamond dust in the paint, McLaren can do it. Or if you want a platinum badge, that’s available too—for $56,000. —SE
