Very few things in this world are as fast, or a beautiful as a finely tuned supercar. While you might not be in a position to buy one right now, and your need for speed is being quenched going to shows, browsing cool new car pics and racing your mates on the weekend on your PS4, still knowing your options is cool. So, let’s work on the assumption you do have a few million to blow on some smooth bodies and power under the hood 🙂
Get your hands on some of the fastest out there.
Mclaren F1: 241 MPH
Once the fastest car in the world. Aside from the speed, there were a few other things that make the Mclaren F1 stand out. Carbon-fiber body, unbelievably light, the 6.1 liters BMW M V12, gold-lined engine… and we haven’t even mentioned the driver seat being in the center of the car. Stunning to look at, so if it gets bumped from the top ten fastest cars, it will remain on the list of the best looking.
SSC Ultimate Aero: 256 MPH
Shelby Supercars (SSC) was the once the fastest in the world in 2007. Having absolutely zero electronic drivers aid, it’s built for drivers with serious talent. You have full control of the power. Tasty right? It is a pure driving experience, with its ability to get to 60mph in about 2 seconds. It has a delicious interior too – custom leather, a phenomenal ten-speaker sound system, DVD navigation, and cab controlled front lift to help with any road hazards – all there for your enjoyment.
Hennessey Venom F5: 301 MPH
With a name like that you can already imagine that this baby is going to be topping out all over the place. It looks like the car you dreamed about as a child. Reportedly this little piece of kit can go from 0 to 249 to 0 in around 30 seconds (mind-boggling, no?). The Guinness Book of World Records hasn’t confirmed the claimed speed. It’s ultra-light, built aerodynamically, and rather than the designers and engineers referring to it as a supercar, they’re calling this bad boy a hypercar.
Bugatti Chiron: 261 MPH
The Chiron is the Veyron’s big brother, more rapid, prettier and intelligent too. With quad LED headlights that double as intakes (feeding air to the front breaks) the level of design and detail is astonishing. The inside is matching the outside, and the center console is all laid out for the driver’s comfort.
Saleen S7 Twin Turbo: 248 MPH
The S7 was America’s first mid-engine supercar which makes her unique even before you take a peek at the design or the speed. Featuring a 7-litre aluminium V8 engine with a pair of Garrett turbochargers attached. If all of that doesn’t make you jump for joy, Ironman has one.
Koenigsegg CCR: 242 MPH
This little Swedish bullet is tastier than an IKEA meatball. Only kissing the world’s fastest title for a short time when it hit 242 mph at Italy’s Nardo Ring way back in 2005. With a Cima developed 6-speed gearbox, dual plate organic or sintered 8.46-inch clutch, and a body made with pre-impregnated carbon-fiber with honeycomb reinforcements, it was a car well before it’s time. The Koenigsegg CCr goes to show that great engineering and design process can stand the test of time when it comes to speed and looks.
TESLA ROADSTER: 250 MPH
Do you remember when the Lotus Elise was where “it” was at in terms of looks and street worthy performance? Well, the Tesla is based on the Lotus Elise – and beautiful it is too. The first Tesla Roadster was the car that put the company into the limelight and made it a legitimate player in the automotive world. This new Roadster is a different animal altogether. Second-gen is going from 0-60 in 1.9 seconds, or from 0-100 in 4.2. So, it certainly nails acceleration without breaking a sweat. It is worth noting that the 250 speeds haven’t been verified – but when a car looks like this for the price – do you care?
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: 268 MPH
Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without this absolute stunner of a car. With a price tag of around $1.7 million, you know this car has come to play. When Volkswagen purchased the Bugatti brand they had a single focus – build the fastest car in the world. The first Veyron achieved that goal until the SSC Ultimate Aero impeached it. Not content with having the spot once, Bugatti got back to the drawing board and magicked up the Veyron Super Sport. Improving on perfection put them back in the Guinness Book of World Records with a recorded MPH of 268. Never let it be said that if you have a goal, you can’t achieve it – twice over.
“When you push a car past 180mph, the world starts to get awfully fizzy and a little bit frightening. When you go past 200mph it actually becomes blurred. Almost like you’re trapped in an early Queen pop video” – Jeremey Clarkson, Veyron 2005
Hennessey Venom GT: 270 MPH
This beauty topped out at 270.4 miles per hour at the Kennedy Space Centre in 2014, but only in one direction. Sadly, record attempts need to a run in each direction, and an average is taken to account for wind conditions. However, that doesn’t stop this little beauty hitting 270 and deserving a place in the list. Many people don’t consider the Hennessey Venom to be in the supercar production line cars because it is hand-built.
Koenigsegg Agera RS: 278 MPH
While the Hennessey Venom F5 claims a top speed of 301, they haven’t had that verified by Guinness World Records. And, the Agera has been verified. In order to get this noted officially, the Swedish company had the Nevada Department of Transportation close 11 miles of road between Pahrump and Las Vegas. While this car is no doubt designed for speed, it is perfectly suitable for regular road use. It has a luggage space, (as do some of the other mentioned in the list), is entirely road legal and complies with all safety standards. And an animal with two distinct sides.
But you don’t have a few million, and you have a ford focus. That is cool. You can modify most vehicles with a little bit of time, effort and budget.
- Swap out some heavy paneling for some carbon-fiber panels. Making your car lighter will make it quicker and depending what you’re replacing, it will help with the cooling too.
- Performance tires – this one makes a huge difference to how your car grips the road, the suspension, and the driving experiences in general. This one goes for both supercars and your average Honda.
- Turbo kits – turbocharging has been a staple of increasing engine performance without having to put in a whole new engine. If you are a decent mechanic and know what you’re doing, you can probably put something custom together. However, a kit takes the guesswork out of it.
- You won’t go faster, but they are more comfortable and look sweet – racing pedals. Make sure you get these fitted well.
- Car air fresheners – this one isn’t about performance or looks, it’s just that if your car looks fantastic but smells like a foot inside, not the best driving experience is it?
- Performance Clutch Kit – If you’re adding in a lot of performance-based things, you’re going to need a heavier clutch too. Doing this is going to stop you smoking through standard issues clutches and stock clutches.
- Big Brake Kit – if you have swapped out your tires, you have some more room to get something with real visual impact, as well as improving the safety of your brakes with all the other mods you’ve added.
Remember, while you might not be able to get your vehicle to top out at over 250 mph, you can make it look a little bit more like the supercar of your dreams.
