Measuring a car’s top speed, when you get into the realms of the world record setters, is not quite as simple as flooring it and seeing what the speedo swings around to!
Air temperature and air pressure play a part, as do tyre pressures, the amount of oil in the engine and gearbox, the weight of the driver and a hundred and one other factors. There is also the slight matter of who’s doing the timing and if it’s truly independent and accurate.
Assuming all things are equal, then these days we’re talking only of those cars capable of reaching the far side of 250 mph. If your car can’t cover a mile in around 14 seconds it isn’t considered fast these days.
So which are these cars and what’s their vee-max (maximum velocity) as engineers would refer to it?
Current top 10 fastest cars in the world:
1. Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+
- Top Speed - 304 mph
- 0-60 mph - 2.2 seconds
Within the name of this super sporty car, you can see the 300+ badging, and this does exactly what it says as it managed 304 mph when the French firm decided to unleash it at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track.
This 1,600hp mega-machine doesn’t officially hold the world record though, as it only did that run in one direction. To break the record you have to do it twice in opposite directions but Bugatti decided not to do this.
2. Hennessey Venom F5
- Top Speed - 272 mph
- 0-60 mph - 2.6 seconds
This amazing 6.6-litre twin-turbo car puts out an impressive 1,817hp and 1,617Nm of torque. This is enough to go from 0-66 mph in 2.6 seconds! The highest speed reached by this stunning vehicle so far is 272 mph, however, Hennessey reckon that they could go faster and reach speeds up to 300 mph.
3. SSC Tuatara
- Top speed - 268mph
- 0-60mph - 2.5 seconds
This unique car from the American brand SSC has been under some controversy. 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. Later tests saw it hit a maximum of 286 mph.
4. Rimac Nevera
- Top Speed - 258 mph
- 0-62 mph - 1.9 seconds
This exceptional car has a unique origin, with the name Nevera, being given to a quick, sudden and mighty Mediterranean storm, that races across the open sea off Croatia, a Nevera is extremely powerful and charged by lightning.This is a very fitting name as the Rimac Nevera is a fully electric vehicle. This doesn’t affect the performance, as this car can do 0-60 mph in 1.85 seconds.
5. McLaren Speedtail
- Top Speed - 250 mph
- 0-62 mph - 2.5 seconds
McLaren didn’t design the Speedtail to chase world records, but, with a 250 mph top speed, it’s the fastest road car that they have ever built. With the ability to get from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, this car is definitely not to be messed with.
6. Koenigsegg Regera
- Top Speed - 250 mph
- 0-62 mph - 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 1,500 hp. Unlike any other car on this list, the Regera can go from 0-250mph using just one gear, which is super impressive.
7. Aston Martin Valkyrie
- Top Speed - 250 mph
- 0-62 mph - 2.2 seconds
Behind the driver you will find 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 - 238 mph
- 0-62 mph - 3.2 seconds
The Pagani Huayra is a fantastic looking car. Every detail is exquisite, and truly adds to the overall character of the car. It comes with an AMG derived twin-turbocharged V12 engine putting out 730hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, enough for a top speed of 238 mph.
9. Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
- Top Speed - 217 mph
- 0-62 mph - 2.6 seconds
The SVJ is the ultimate version of the Lamborghini Aventador supercar and produces an amazing 770hp from its 6.5-litre V12 engine. Its 217 mph top speed is actually the same as the standard Aventador S, but the lighter and gripper SVJ will get there quicker and be faster around corners.
10. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
- Top Speed - 310 mph (in theory)
- 0-62 mph - 2.5 seconds
The Jesko Absolut is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 1,280hp on normal fuel, or a whopping 1,600hp on E85 race fuel.
This is enough for a 0-60mph sprint tome of 2.5 seconds. However, Koenigsegg haven’t tested the top speed of the Jesko Absolut yet, but the computer simulations predict that it will do 310 mph.
