Top 10 Supercars Of 2013 – The Coolest, Best & Most Exciting Cars In The World This Year
It is a running joke amongst our readers that our top 10 cars of the year list is never ten cars and that joke continues this year because we have a total of 23 cars on the list. The sheer number of exciting drivers cars is immense and it isn’t just the top end of the market, with brands like Lotus and Porsche showing us a thing or two at the lower end of the market.
Let’s start at the top. What an incredible year for supercars and performance cars, maybe one of the best ever. 2013 has easily been one of the best years for new supercar debuts, although we now have a new “hypercar” name for the top end cars. Since when was “supercar” not enough of a word to describe these cars? Take a look at the Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 trifecta of flagship models and it becomes clear that these cars are special and deserve their own designation. The numbers and technology are just so far beyond every other car built today (or ever before) that the hypercar label seems appropriate.
Now, these top three cars could appear in almost any order on our Top 10 list, but the McLaren wins it. Sure the 918 Spyder had a record 6:57 time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife and the P1 was ”sub 7-minute lap”, but it isn’t just the sheer numbers that wins for the McLaren. Most journalists who actually got to drive all three cars clearly said that the P1 was the best of the lot. The violence, the aggression and the sheer performance experience was enthralling in a way that the 918 and LaFerrari couldn’t match.
Further down the list we have the Lamborghini Veneno which generated the most excitement on the streets and it is probably the most fitting car to cap off Lamborghini’s 50th. Speaking of Lamborghini, how about that insane Egoista concept, those guys are truly nuts and we love them for it. Frankly, there are so many more amazing cars this year that we are calling it as the year of the supercar here and are going to let you just work down the list.
Restoration of the Year goes to the Lamborghini 350 GTS which was completed by the factory just in time for test driver Valentino Balboni to drive it to the Lamborghini 50? Anniversario ? Grande Giro. It later made appearances at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Schloss Bensberg Classics.
This list concludes Supercars.net for the year. Have a safe and happy holidays. Enjoy the top 10 Supercars of 2013.
Related: Don’t forget to check out all our best supercar lists for more insanity.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche’s most advanced hypercar ever
With the engineering might (and budget) of Porsche behind it, and drawing upon the company’s experience of racing hybrids in endurance racing, the 918 Spyder managed to undercut its rivals on price, while providing arguably the most complete road car package of the holy trinity. Appropriately, 918 examples of the Spyder were promised, with Porsche digging deep into its motorsport knowledge to produce technology that provided world-beating performance, as well as reducing fuel consumption. As you’d expect for a top-of-the-range Porsche, the 918 Spyder’s performance is simply blistering. This car is far from all show and no go. Power comes from a mid-mounted, race car-derived 4.6-litre, 608hp V8 teamed with two electric motors, with the rear producing the equivalent of 154hp and the front – driving just the front wheels up to 146 mph – producing 127 hp. The combined output of the system is somewhere in the region of 887 hp. 0-62 comes up in around 2.8 seconds, with a top speed somewhere north of 211 mph. Learn more…
McLaren P1
The winner of the hypercar war
Compared to the controllable yet vivacious characters of the cars it met when it emerged in production in 2013 – the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder – the P1 delivered an altogether more sinister side, gaining it a reputation for having more of a bite. We know it is controversial but we are calling the McLaren P1 the winner of the hypercar fight against the 918 and LaFerrari. The design is wind-tunnel driven and it is the most aggressive McLaren we have ever seen. The performance is utterly outrageous. The top speed may be below the F1 – an electronically limited 217 mph to the F1’s 240+mph VMax – but absolute maximum speed is not what P1 is about. A 1547 kg car with 903hp is not going to hang about off the line, and the P1 makes the dash from 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds. 186 mph comes up in just 16.5 seconds from standstill. That power comes mostly from a twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 – the same as used across the McLaren range, but tweaked to output 727 hp and 531 lb/ft of torque – combined with a lightweight and KERS-fed electric motor, that puts a further 176 hp and 192 lb/ft at the driver’s disposal. That power reaches the rear wheels via seven-speed twin clutch gearbox. Learn more…
Ferrari LaFerrari
Following in the footsteps of legendary Ferrari halo cars
Announced in 2013 as a 2014 model year, the LaFerrari is Ferrari’s horse in the hypercar fight. Limited to just 499 examples (although since an additional 210 Aperta open-top LaFerraris have been produced), the LaFerrari featured a Formula-One derived HY-KERS system – an electric motor teamed to a 6.3-litre V12. Some would shirk at the concept of a hybrid Ferrari, but while enhanced efficiency is a by-product of the LaFerrari’s powertrain, this was by no means Ferrari’s motivation with the system. Following in the footsteps of legendary Ferrari halo cars as the 288 GTO, the F40, F50 and Enzo, the LaFerrari had its work cut out from the start. Add to that competition – yes, at this insane level of performance and prestige – from Porsche and McLaren with their hybrid hypercars, the 918 and P1, and this ultimate Ferrari model had a lot to deliver in order to stand out. Learn more…
Lamborghini Veneno
Only 3 units will ever be made
Look at every Lamborghini model ever made In the year of its 50th anniversary Automobili Lamborghini is presenting an extremely exclusive model at the Geneva Motor Show 2013. Only three unique units of the Lamborghini Veneno will be built and sold. Its design is consistently focused on optimum aerodynamics and cornering stability, giving the Veneno the real dynamic experience of a racing prototype, yet it is fully homologated for the road. With a maximum output of 552 kW / 750 hp, the Veneno accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds and the top speed for this street-legal racing car stands at 355 km/h. It is priced at three million Euros plus tax – and all three units have already been sold to customers. The Lamborghini Veneno features a twelve-cylinder power unit with a displacement of 6.5 liters, an extremely fast-shifting 7-speed ISR transmission with 5 driving modes and permanent all-wheel drive, as well as a racing chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units. Above all, however, the Veneno benefits from the very special expertise that Automobili Lamborghini possesses in the development and execution of carbon-fiber materials – the complete chassis is produced as a CFRP monocoque, as is the outer skin of this extreme sports car. The inside, too, features innovative, Lamborghini-patented materials such as Forged Composite and CarbonSkin. Learn more…
Ferrari 458 Speciale
Special does not begin to describe how good this car is
The 458 Speciale was unveiled in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a 2014 model year car. The 458 Speciale joins the Ferrari range alongside the 458 Italia and 458 Spider and, like all special-series Ferraris, is aimed at a specific kind of owner, in this case those looking for an even more focused sports car that offers extreme driving emotions. Whether on the road or on the track, drivers will feel immediately at one with the 458 Speciale thanks to the speed with which it responds to every input and the consequently natural control that it offers, even in extreme manoeuvres. This finely-tuned handling balance enables the car to reach the highest performance levels of any Ferrari V8. Learn more…
Bugatti 16/4 Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ‘Jean Bugatti’
Another limited edition Veyron
Following the successful launch of its “Les Légendes de Bugatti” (Bugatti Legends) series a few weeks ago in Pebble Beach in California, Bugatti presents the second vehicle in this exclusive edition as a world premiere at the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The French luxury car manufacturer intends the Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse “Jean Bugatti” to be a celebration of the oldest son of company founder Ettore Bugatti and his most famous creation, the Type 57SC Atlantic. Like all other five models in the Legend series, the “Jean Bugatti” is limited to three vehicles. It costs 2.28 million euros (plus tax and other charges). With its “Jean Bugatti” Legend model, Bugatti pays homage to a prominent figure in 20th century automotive history. Gianoberto Carlo Rembrandt Ettore Bugatti, known as Jean, was the eldest son of Ettore Bugatti and the most gifted of his four children.
Caterham Seven 620R
Most extreme Seven to date
As the lightweight sportscar manufacturer celebrates 40 years of developing and building the Seven, Caterham is re-inventing the already enviable parameters of its iconic model, with the Seven 620R setting a new benchmark in outrageous performance. A newly-engineered, two-litre supercharged Ford Duratec engine pumps out 310bhp, providing even more of a kick in the back for the driver and propelling the Seven 620R from 0-60 mph in under 2.8 seconds. Learn more…
Porsche Cayman S
Nothing average about this everyday sports car
Some people will argue that the Cayman S doesn’t below on this annual best car list. It is not a supercar sure, but it is definitely exciting and it is definitely on the best cars of 2013. Plus, for 90% of the population it is more than enough car and actually attainable enough that it deserves its spot. Since its debut in 2005, the Cayman has earned a particular reputation as a driver’s car. For the latest model, the two-seater has been newly-developed from the ground up and – after the 911 Carrera and Boxster roadster – is the third sports car model series from Porsche to feature innovative lightweight body design. Consequently, the new Cayman is up to 30 kg lighter than the prior model, depending on the specific version and equipment, and offers up to 15 per cent greater fuel efficiency- despite its increased engine output and driving performance. Learn more…
Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible 60th Anniversary
A fitting send-off for the ‘C6’ generation
The Corvette 427 Convertible blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models to create the fastest and most-capable convertible in Corvette’s history. Its heart is the 427-cubic-inch (7.0L) LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505 horsepower (377 kW) and 470 lb.-ft. of torque (637 Nm), it is the most powerful engine ever installed in a production Corvette convertible – and, like the Z06, the 427 Convertible is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. The LS7 was co-developed with the Corvette Le Mans-winning GT1 engine and features lightweight titanium connecting rods and intake valves, as well as racing-inspired high-flow cylinder heads and a dry-sump oiling system. It is assembled by hand at GM’s Performance Build Center, where customers who purchase the 427 Convertible Collector Edition can purchase the Corvette Build Experience option and assemble the engine that will power their new car. Learn more…
Alfa Romeo 4C
Welcome back Alfa Romeo
The final version of the Alfa Romeo 4C makes its début at the 83rd International Motor Show in Geneva. This mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupé with two bucket seats represents the true essence of a sports car at the heart of Alfa Romeo’s DNA: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety. The Alfa Romeo 4C derives directly from the concept which raised many eyebrows in wonder at the Geneva Show in 2011, so much so that it won three prestigious awards. Learn more…
Hennessey Venom GT Spyder
A very visceral, raw, driving experience
Hennessey Performance (HPE) will offer it’s ultra lightweight supercar with a removable roof. Dubbed the Venom GT Spyder, Hennessey’s 1200 horsepower, 1200 kilo, mid-engine monster will offer an extra dose of wind and sound when driven without the top. HPE will build just five Venom GTs for the 2013 model year, two of which have already been ordered. Deliveries will begin in the summer of 2012. Clients can purchase either model: the Venom GT – with a fixed hardtop roof, or the Venom GT Spyder – with the new removable top. Base pricing for the Venom GT is $950,000. The Venom GT Spyder is priced at $1.1 million. Learn more…
Pagani Zonda Revolucion
Just in case the Zonda R wasn’t extreme enough
For 2013, Pagani are releasing their final Zonda known as the Revolucion. This is an evolution of the track-only Zonda R, that has a more powerful Mercedes-Benz V12, automated aerodynamics and a lighter carbon-titanium central chassis. The Pagani Zonda Revolucion is the apex of the celebration of performance, technology and art applied to a track car. Horacio Pagani and his team have created a car designed to amaze both on the track and in a car collection. The central monocoque is carbon-titanium, the needle on the scale stops at 1070 kg. The AMG Mercedes engine is an evolution of the Zonda R powerplant. The 6.0-liter V12 now develops an output of 800 hp and 730 Nm of torque, resulting in a power to weight ratio of 748 hp per tonne. Learn more…
Porsche Panamera GTS
Perfect family car
This is the best passenger car of 2013 by a wide margin which is why it makes our most exciting cars of 2013 list. More power and upgraded brakes, a body lowered by ten millimetres and the especially sportily tuned chassis with air suspension and PASM are the major technical modifications that make it the Panamera model capable of cutting it on the racing circuit – without sacrificing practicality. The sportiest of all Panameras also conveys this to occupants and the outside world by its striking sound. In terms of looks, the new Panamera GTS signals its independence by distinctive design features in the front-end, side and rear area as well as black highlights. The interior as well is rigorously tailored to the sporty personality with sports seats, SportDesign steering wheel with shift paddles, exclusive GTS leather interior and Alcantara surfaces. Learn more…
Porsche 911 GT3
Our favorite current Porsche and another cracking car from Porsche
The fifth generation of the 911 GT3, a complete new development, will take the pole position among the thoroughbred Porsche sports cars with naturally aspirated engines. Boxer engine and transmission, as well as body and chassis are completely new and constitute a further development of the 911 GT3 concept with an impressive performance leap. Power: 475 hp. Power to weight ratio: 3.0 kg/hp. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h: in 3.5 seconds. Top speed: 315 km/h. Lap time Nürburgring Nordschleife: under 7:30 minutes. As a technical highlight, it features the first active rear wheel steering in a production Porsche. As well as the optional full LED headlights. Learn more…
Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept
Celebrating Aston Martin’s centenary with this stunning concept
Aston Martin is celebrating its centenary in world-class style with the debut today (19 May) of the exceptional CC100 Speedster Concept. Created as a stunning celebration of the great British brand’s 100 years of sports car excellence the one-off CC100 looks both to the past and the DBR1 – Aston Martin’s greatest sporting triumph on the track – and to the future with its teasing glimpses of potential future design direction. The 6.0-litre V12-powered concept car today makes its world debut by completing a lap of the famous Nordschleife at Germany’s ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring race. It is the most tangible expression yet of the brand’s year-long 2013 centenary celebrations. Learn more…
Lamborghini Egoista
Now that’s what I call a concept car
An emotional moment in Sant’Agata Bolognese yesterday at the culmination of the gala celebrating Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary: Walter De Silva’s incredible vehicle made its entry in front of a thousand invitees, the Head of Design for the Volkswagen Group’s homage to celebrating the House of the Raging Bull’s half century. Powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine supplying it with 600 horsepower, the Lamborghini Egoista is an intentionally extreme and unusual vehicle with absolutely unique characteristics, created by the Volkswagen Group design team – Alessandro Dambrosio responsible for the exterior and Stefan Sielaff for the interior, in particular. De Silva’s team chose to create a single-seater, pushing all the characteristics in Lamborghini’s make-up meaning pure driving pleasure, performance and style beyond their limits. Learn more…
Shelby GT500 Super Snake
The “base” model is rated at 662 horsepower!
Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), is now offering the most powerful versions of the Shelby GT500 Super Snake for the 2013 model year in the company’s 50 year history. With a base model rated at 662 HP and an optional 850 HP version, the limited edition 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake also features new styling cues, color options and optional performance upgrades at a lower base price. Only 500 total 2013 Super Snakes will be built; the car is available as a coupe or convertible in the entire color palette offered by Ford Motor Company on the Shelby GT500. Learn more…
Lotus Esprit Prototype
We know how this one turned out
At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveiled their new vision of the Esprit. Much like the four other concept cars that made up the New Lotus Vision, this is what Lotus calls a production intent prototype and projects a 2013 vision for Lotus. The most eagerly anticipated Lotus makes its return. Without doubt, this is the car that the true Lotus aficionados have been waiting for: The ultimate Lotus. The new Esprit represents the very essence of exclusive supercar driving. It picks up and exceeds the legacy of it’s forefathers. Think of it as a statement of superiority. Too bad Lotus CEO Dany Bahar’s was nuts and this car never made production. Learn more…
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
A refresh for the big selling Gallardo
We could have included the Performante or Superleggera on the list, but the reality is that it was really the refresh that drove both those cars being upgraded so we are going to include the base refresh car instead.At the 2012 Paris Motorshow Automobili Lamborghini is presenting the most successful super sports car of its entire history with a new design – even more aggressive, and more extreme: the new Gallardo LP 560-4 and the LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica. The new Gallardo LP 560-4 – equipped with permanent four wheel drive- has a new front end and a new rear, while top models in the Gallardo line-up,the LP 570-4 Superleggera and the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, will be offered also as the further enhanced Edizione Tecnica. The six models of the Gallardo family are now clearly differentiated and can be customized perfectly to suit every type of driver. Learn more…
Ford Mustang Boss 302
All about performance
The 2013 Boss also offers a unique functional design feature in the grille with removable covers where fog lamps would be. For improved cooling on track days, the covers can be easily removed with a screwdriver. The powerful Boss engine yields 444 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, while still offering a smooth idle and low-end torque for comfortable around-town driving. A race-inspired clutch with upgraded friction materials transmits power, while a short-throw, close-ratio six-speed manual handles gear change duties. Power is delivered to a 3.73-ratio rear axle using carbon fiber plates in the limited-slip differential to improve handling and longevity. For those who want even more precise control over power delivery, a torque-sensing (Torsen) limited-slip differential is available, coupled with Recaro® front seats. Learn more…
Mercedes SLS AMG GT Black Series
Mercedes-AMG presents the high-end super sports car version of the gull-wing model, the new SLS AMG Coupé Black Series. Inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 racing version, the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG boasts a fascinating mix of breath-taking design, outstanding driving dynamics and uncompromising lightweight construction in accordance with the “AMG Lightweight Performance” strategy. With a DIN kerb weight of 1550 kilograms, the SLS AMG Black Series achieves a power/weight ratio of 2.45 kg/hp. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine generates a power output of 464 kW (631 hp) at 7400 rpm and accelerates the most dynamic gull-wing model of all time to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. The coil-over AMG RIDE CONTROL performance suspension, the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system and the weight-optimised forged AMG light-alloy wheels with newly developed sports tyres combine with the electronically controlled AMG rear-axle differential lock and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission featuring uncompromisingly emotional shift and response times to raise the SLS AMG Black Series to a new level. The AMG Aerodynamics package is optionally available to further boost the vehicle’s driving dynamics. Learn more…
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Estate
Wagon of the year
Our pick out the entire new line of E63 passenger cars this year is the E 63 AMG Estate. So practical and yet so insane that it is perfect for us car guys. The new E 63 AMG is now available as a particularly powerful S-Model with an output of 430 kW (585 hp), 800 Newton metres of torque and featuring a newly developed performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine continues to be the absolute pinnacle of efficiency: the combination of high performance and low fuel consumption remains unrivalled by any other competitor in the segment worldwide. The permanent all-wheel drive is also optionally available for the other E 63 AMG models – on which the V8 engine has been uprated from 386 kW (525 hp) to 410 kW (557 hp), with 720 Nm of torque. With this range, Mercedes-AMG is premiering high-performance passenger car models with an all-wheel-drive system geared to driving dynamics. Learn more…
Aston Martin V12 Vantage S
Get the all new 565 bhp Aston Martin AM28 6.0-litre V12 engine
While we were excited for the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante this year, our pick for the 2013 supercar of the year list from Aston has to be the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. Aston Martin is taking sports car performance to extremes with the announcement of the new V12 Vantage S. The new car replaces the outgoing V12 Vantage in markets around the world and, with the exception of the One-77 hypercar, arrives as the fastest road-going Aston Martin yet offered. Providing the most visceral yet engaging sports car experience in the British luxury car maker’s current range, the new V12 Vantage S delivers exceptional sporting agility underpinned by admirable long distance refinement. Equipped with the new 565 bhp Aston Martin AM28 6.0-litre V12 engine, featuring latest generation Bosch engine management, the car is capable of reaching 205 mph. Peak and low rev torque improves appreciably, too. With 457 lb ft available at 5,750 rpm – up from 420 lb ft previously – the V12 Vantage S is not to be found wanting. Learn more…
