Since the birth of the automobile, manufacturers have been trying to make the quickest cars they can. Here’s a rundown of the fastest cars on the planet right now.
Speed has fascinated humankind for as long as people have been on the planet. From the invention of the wheel to supersonic aircraft, going more quickly means being able to do more things, more efficiently, while also offering advantages over those who must travel more slowly.
This principle very much applies to cars, with manufacturers seeking constantly seeking to make the world’s fastest car ever. And while speed limits and other road users mean there is little practical application for really fast cars in day-to-day life, human nature means engineers, designers and drivers alike are always keen to see just how much faster a car can be made to go.
To be a contender for the title of the world’s fastest car, a vehicle will clearly need a hugely powerful engine, or several electric motors and a big battery pack. Aerodynamics play a huge role, too, as cutting through the air and overcoming its friction can make all the difference as speeds increase. How light a car is also impacts its top speed, while a car’s tyres (and their ability to withstand huge rotational forces) play a big part, too.
Below you will find a comprehensive list of the quickest cars in the world, many of which carwow has been lucky enough to drive. You can also take a look at the fastest cars that are available on carwow, too, all of which you can with great offers from trusted dealers.
The fastest cars in the world right now are:
- Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+
- SSC Tuatara
- Hennessey Venom F5
- Rimac Nevera
- McLaren Speedtail
- Koenigsegg Regera
- Aston Martin Valkyrie
- Pagani Huayra
- Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
- Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
Top 10 best sports cars
1. Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+
Top speed: 304mph
0-60mph: 2.2 seconds
Those who grew up in the 2000s will probably associate the fastest car in the world with the legendary Bugatti Veyron. Well that car’s spirit has been carried over to the Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+, an 8.0-litre quad turbocharged 1,600hp mega machine which will do, as the name suggests, over 300mph.
Specifically, it did 304mph when the French firm unleashed it at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track. The Chiron 300+ doesn’t hold the official world record though, as it only did the run in one direction. To break the record you have to do it twice in opposite directions, which Bugatti decided not to do for some reason.
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2. SSC Tuatara
Top speed: 295mph
0-60mph: 2.5 seconds
While the Bugatti Chiron’s complicated W16 engine is mightily impressive, sometimes you just can’t beat a whopping great V8 with a couple of turbos strapped to it. The SSC Tuatara (Too-ah-ta-ra) has a twin-turbocharged V8 which puts out up to 1,750hp when it’s running on ethanol, however there is some controversy around the official top speed.
You see, SSC claimed the Tuatara actually managed 316mph in October 2020 to make it the world’s fastest car — but later admitted to a GPS error that depicted that speed wrongly. Tests in early 2023 saw the car hit an actual top speed of 295mph, not exactly slow.
3. Hennessey Venom F5
Top speed: 272mph (for now)
0-60mph: 2.6 seconds
The folks in the USA are smashing the top speed game recently, with third place going to another all-American supercar. The Hennessey Venom F5 has a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with 1,817hp and 1,617Nm of torque.
That’s enough to launch it from 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds, and it’ll go onto a top speed of 272mph – for now. Hennessey want’s to get even more out of the F5, with the firm targeting a top speed of over 300mph.
4. Rimac Nevera
Top speed: 258mph
0-60mph: 1.9 seconds
Electric cars offer instant acceleration thanks to the torque from their electric motors, however the added weight of the batteries can limit them in terms of top speed. This isn’t the case for the Rimac Nevera though.
This ballistic EV hypercar has four electric motors, producing a whopping 1,914hp and 2,300Nm of torque. That’s enough to launch it from 0-60mph in just 1.9 seconds, and it can go on to a top speed of 258mph. It’s made almost entirely out of carbon fibre to keep the weight down, but this isn’t just some stripped-out drag racer. The interior is a lovely place to be and you still get all the luxuries you’d expect of a car that costs £2 million.
Read our review of the Rimac Nevera
5. McLaren Speedtail
Top speed: 250mph
0-60mph: 2.5 seconds
McLaren didn’t design the Speedtail to chase world records, but, with a 250mph top speed, it’s the fastest road car it has ever built.
That’s faster than its last three-seat car — the legendary McLaren F1. Its super-slippery bodywork lacks and drag-inducing wings and means it looks like something ripped straight from a futuristic cyberpunk film. Just think about carrying two of your mates at that speed…
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6. Koenigsegg Regera
Top speed: 250mph
0-60mph: 2.8 seconds
Matching the Speedtail is the Koenigsegg Regera. This Swedish speed machine comes with a twin-turbo V8 engine and an electric motor that produce a total of 1,500hp.
Unlike any other car on this list, the Regera can go from 0-250mph using just ONE gear. Yep, no matter if you’re cruising at 30mph or aiming to hit its 250mph top speed (on a closed course, not the M1) you’ll be in the same gear. Seems a little bonkers.
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7. Aston Martin Valkyrie
Top speed: 250mph
0-60mph: 2.2 seconds
You may not think, based on appearances, that the Aston Martin Valkyrie is road legal. It might look like a full-blown LeMans racer, but you can really drive it on the street.
Mounted behind the driver is a 6.5-litre hybrid V12 with 1,160hp, capable of pushing this F1 inspired road-racer from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds. Not really surprising when you realise that it weighs just over a tonne.
8. Pagani Huayra
Top speed: 238mph
0-60mph: 3.2 seconds
The Pagani Huayra is a fantastic looking car. Every detail is exquisite, and it’s more than just a pin-up as well. It has an AMG derived twin-turbocharged V12 engine putting out 730hp and 1,000Nm of torque, enough for a top speed of 238mph.
The Huayra is made mostly of carbon fibre to keep the weight down, as well as to make it more rigid, and it’s covered in active aero to help it slip through the air more easily.
9. Lamborghini Revuelto
Top speed: 217mph
0-60mph: 2.5 seconds
In a world of downsizing and forced induction, the lunatics at Lamborghini have stuck with a naturally aspirated V12 for its new flagship Revuelto. That’s not to say it’s completely unassisted, as you also get three electric motors to boost the power.
Specifically, you get a combined 1,015hp, more than any road-going Lamborghini ever made. 0-60mph is dealt with in 2.5 seconds, and it’ll go on to a top speed of 217mph.
Read the in-depth Lamborghini Aventador review
10. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
Top speed: 310mph (in theory)
0-60mph: 2.5 seconds
It’ll come as no surprise that Koenigsegg has made this list twice, as they’re very good at making bonkers hypercars. The Jesko Absolut gets a twin-turbocharged V8 with up to 1,600hp when it’s running on E85 race fuel.
You might be wondering why, with a claimed top speed of 310mph, the Jesko Absolut isn’y at the top of this list. Well, Koenigsegg hasn’t actually tested the top speed in real life, but instead has only simulated it using a computer. You’ll have to wait until it gets run for real before it can take the top spot.
The fastest cars available on carwow
1. Audi R8 Performance
Top speed: 205mph
0-60mph: 3.0 seconds
It’s been around ages now, but the Audi R8 is still the daddy of Audi’s range — although the new RS e-tron GT could well lay claim to that crown soon. The 620hp R8 Performance is still a properly capable machine though, and its 205mph top speed makes it the fastest car you can get through carwow.
Latest Audi R8 deals
2. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Top speed: 191mph
0-60mph: 3.6 seconds
Fancy a ballistic saloon car? Look no further than the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. This twin-turbo V6 saloon delivers a stonking 510hp, all of which is sent to the rear wheels only.
Keep it straight and it’ll manage 191mph with enough space. And, this is in a car that you could quite easily take the kids to school in — and probably embarrass them a bit with the raucous exhaust.
Latest Alfa Giulia deals
3. BMW M8 Competition
Top speed: 190mph
0-60mph: 3.0 seconds
For something just as capable on a track as it is crossing the continent, the BMW M8 Competition is a seriously impressive GT car. Given enough room, and it’ll top 190mph if you splash out for the M Driver’s Pack.
It’s not a stripped-out race car, though. It’s laden with luxury touches, has an impressive infotainment system and it’s genuinely very comfortable. You’ll have no trouble eating up mile after mile of autobahn in an M8.
Latest BMW M8 deals
4. BMW M5 Competition
Top speed: 190mph
0-60mph: 2.8 seconds
If the BMW M8 isn’t practical enough for you, the specious BMW M5 Competition may be right up your street. It has the same 190mph top speed, but you get some handy rear doors and more interior space.
As with the M8, it’s no bare-bones race car. You get all the luxury features you’d expect on an executive saloon, and it’s comfortable for longer journeys. If that’s all a bit sensible for you, the bonkers M5 CS offers more power and improved suspension for track day hooliganism.
BMW M5 deals
5. Lexus LC500
Top speed: 168mph
0-60mph: 4.7 seconds
Looking for a slightly left-field alternative to the typical German GT cars? The Lexus LC500 is a gorgeous coupe with a thumping great V8 engine under the bonnet. For maximum pose-factor, you can also have the LC as a drop top.
The interior is a lovely place to eat up the motorway miles, and it’s properly rapid as well. With a top speed of 168mph, and 0-60mph taken care of in 4.6 seconds, you’re not going to be disappointed when you plan your right foot.
Lexus LC deals
Fastest cars FAQs
What is the fastest production car in the world?
The fastest production car in the world is currently the Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+ thanks to its 304mph top speed, although the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut could topple the Bugatti from the position in the near future.
What is the fastest car from 0-60mph?
The fastest accelerating car in the world is the Rimac Nevera, which can go from 0-60mph in just 1.9 seconds.
What is the fastest anyone has gone in a car?
In terms of production cars, Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace drove the Chiron Supersport 300+ to its 304mph top speed. The fastest anyone has gone in any car is 763mph, which was done by Andy Green in the land-speed-record-breaking Thrust SSC jet-powered car – though that is about as far away from a production car as it’s possible to get.
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