The Jaguar XK120 was the first car to receive the coveted ‘fastest car in the world’ award by the Guinness Book of World Records team in 1949, clocking in a top speed of 125mph. Since then, a number of cars have snatched the crown away from the Jaguar with the current record holder boasting an impressive top speed of 268mph! Join us as we take a look at the top ten fastest production cars available today.
Note: These cars are incredibly powerful and are not suited for novice drivers. Special track days are available where these cars can be driven in a safe and controlled environment around a racetrack, but these are only recommended for experienced drivers who have taken driving lessons, passed their driving test and spent a great deal of time driving a car on the road.
#10 – Lexus LF-A (202mph)
Lexus launched their top of the range supercar, the LF-A, in 2009. Sleek and stylish, the Japanese firm’s flagship sportscar is powered by a 560BHP engine that propels it to a top speed of 202mph, providing supercar performance with a comfortable ride and elegant interior.
#9 – Ferrari Enzo (217mph)
The Ferrari Enzo, first released in 2002, was an instant hit. With a top speed of 217mph, the Enzo was incredibly quick, but where it differed from other supercars of its era was in its handling. The Enzo team at Ferrari made use of technology pioneered by their Formula One team creating a car that was not only quick in a straight line, but through the corners, too. The impeccable performance and handling of the Enzo, combined with its dashing looks, led to the car being crowned an instant classic.
#8 – Aston Martin One 77 (220mph)
The Aston Martin One 77, released in 2010, is Aston Martin’s flagship supercar. The One 77 is graced with Aston Martin’s customary beautiful exterior designs, giving it an incredibly striking and elegant look. Under the hood lives a 750BHP engine capable of driving the One 77 to speeds of 220mph.
#7 – Noble M600 (225mph)
Noble’s M600 is as barebones as it gets. It lacks the luxury addons and safety features of many of its supercar brethren, preferring to focus on performance instead. With a 650BHP engine acting as its driving force, the M600 is capable of reaching speeds as high as 225mph. Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame recently came out in support of Noble, stating that the M600 is one of his favourite cars of all time.
#6 – McLaren F1 (231mph)
The McLaren F1, first released in 1992, held the record for the world’s fastest car for nearly 12 years, boasting a top speed of 231mph. Powered by a monstrous 627BHP engine, the McLaren F1 left all other supercars behind in its wake. The last McLaren F1 rolled off the production line in 1998. Since then, the McLaren F1 has become a collector’s item with each model valued at £2 million.
#5 – Koenigsegg CCX (245mph)
Koenigsegg, the Swedish supercar manufacturer, launched their flagship car, the CCX, in early 2006. When run on special fuel called ‘biofuel’, the engine in the CCX puts out 1,018BHP, allowing the CCX to reach speeds of 245mph.
#4 – Saleen S7 (248mph)
The Saleen S7 is the crown jewel of the American supercar industry, proving that the American car manufacturers are capable of competing with their brethren around the world when it comes to making quick and powerful cars. The ‘twin turbo’ edition of the S7 houses a 750BHP engine that is capable of driving the S7 to a top speed of 248mph.#3 – SSC Ultimate Aero (257mph)
SSC’s Ultimate Aero, released in 2007, displaced the Bugatti Veyron to become the holder of the ‘world’s fastest production car’ record, holding on to the title for 5 years. Powered by an engine capable of delivering 1,287BHP of power, the Ultimate Aero stunned the world by reaching speeds as high as 257mph.
#2 – Hennessey Venom GT (275mph)
Hennessey’s Venom GT, released in 2011, is a monstrously powerful car. Based on a lightweight modified Lotus Exige chassis with a 1,200BHP engine under the hood, Hennessey claim that the Venom GT is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 275mph. Unfortunately, in real world testing, the Venom GT has been found to top out at a max speed of 260mph, but that’s more than quick enough to get it second place on the list of the world’s fastest cars.
#1 – Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (268mph)
Bugatti’s ‘Super Sport’ edition of the Veyron snatched the world record away from SSC’s Ultimate Aero in 2010, boasting an incredible top speed of 268mph. Powered by a monstrous 1,200BHP engine, no other car has come close to matching the top speed of Bugatti’s newest Veyron.