Top 20 Supercars Of 2023 – The Coolest, Best & Most Exciting Cars In The World This Year
The performance car segment is highly dynamic, driven by ever-changing customer demand and technological advancements. This triggers a steady stream of updates to existing models and the influx of ground-breaking new cars. These cars continually stretch existing boundaries, creating new limits and redefining the notions of speed, design and engineering excellence. Here, we spotlight a few of these incredible supercars and exotics that helped shape the performance car segment in 2023.
Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06
The Z06 variant elevates the performance of the base spec C8 Corvette, completely redefining the modern price-to-performance equation for supercars. At its heart is a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre flat-plane crank V8 that howls like a banshee to its 8,500 rpm redline. Officially rated at 670 hp, it is one of the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engines currently fitted in a production car.
Complementing that formidable powerplant are design enhancements that include larger air intakes, an aerodynamically effective rear spoiler, and lightweight carbon-fibre wheels shod with optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. The C8 Corvette Z06 can hit 60 mph in a scant 2.6 seconds and complete the quarter-mile run in 10.5 seconds at 131 mph. The best part? The C8 Corvette Z06 is still docile enough to function as a daily driver. What’s not to love about that?
Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
The Huracan Tecnica was unveiled to the public at the 2022 New York Auto Show. Positioned between the Huracan Evo RWD and the hardcore Huracan STO, the Tecnica strikes a fine balance between track-honed performance and everyday usability. Powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine, it produces 631 hp, propelling the car to 60 mph in a brisk 2.8 seconds. The Huracan Tecnica boasts more downforce and less drag than the Huracan EVO RWD, allowing for a more engaging driving experience. There is rear-axle steering for improved high-speed stability and Lamborghini’s LDVI (Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata), an advanced system that seamlessly manages torque-vectoring, adaptive dampers, and traction control.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
The imperious Bugatti Chiron Super Sport stretches the capabilities of the standard Chiron, literally. Its elongated carbon-fibre bodywork is 9.8 inches longer than the regular Chiron. Optimized for maximum aerodynamic performance, the hypercar’s frame is wrapped around Bugatti’s formidable quad-turbocharged W16, this time rated at 1,577 hp. The Chiron Super Sport weighs about 2 tons but will still rocket to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds. Its 261 mph top speed is electronically limited. With restraints off, the Chiron Super Sport is capable of much higher speeds. In 2019, a lightly modified Chiron Super Sport became the first production car to crack the 300 mph barrier. Even more impressive is that the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport is highly compliant and well-suited for regular driving, with several features that underscore its status as a luxury automobile.
Ferrari 296 GTB
Gone are the days when Ferrari’s entry-level models were seen as tame, with just enough power to make them worthy of the ‘supercar’ tag. The Ferrari 296 GTB is a no-frills performance beast with more power than the hulking Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. Ferrari’s first V6 since the Dino, the 296 GTB six-cylinder engine makes 654 hp on its own.
The combustion engine is complemented by an electric motor that supplies another 165 hp, leading to a combined output of 819 hp. Ferrari’s decision to return to a V6 raised eyebrows and rankled more than a few enthusiasts. However, the 296 GTB’s performance does present a compelling case for the capabilities of the powerplant. The car needs just 2.4 seconds to hit 60 mph, while the quarter-mile is completed in 9.7 seconds at 150 mph, about the same as the legendary LaFerrari hypercar.
McLaren Artura
The McLaren Artura does not get the hype it deserves, which is such a shame because it is a fantastic supercar. The hybrid supercar marked the start of a new era for McLaren. It is the first in line of a new series of hybrid supercars. That means its 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 is paired with an electric motor for a combined output of 691 hp, enough for a 3-second run to 60 mph. It can also drive on electric power alone at up to 81 mph for short distances, perfect for when you are leaving your neighbourhood in the morning. The styling language feels familiar, but the Artura boasts a new carbon-fibre chassis and improved aerodynamics. The McLaren Artura is a significant step in a new direction for the UK-based carmaker, showcasing the brand’s commitment to the development of hybrid technology.
Rimac Nevera
The Nevera is the only all-electric entrant on this list, but it’s one that’s fully deserving of its spot as one of the year’s standout performers. The Croatian hypercar is one of the fastest-accelerating vehicles ever made, with a slew of world speed records as proof. It is not just insanely rapid in a straight line. Clever technologies like all-wheel torque vectoring control how much power is sent to each wheel independently, allowing the car to tackle corners at speeds that would spin out lesser cars. There’s a Drift mode, too, that unlocks the Nevera’s playful nature. Though, you’ll want to be careful about sliding around in a $2.5 million, 1,915-hp hypercar.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
There is nothing subtle about the 2023 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Positioned at the head of the Cayman model lineup, it is the most powerful mid-engine sports car ever made by Porsche. That in itself is a clear statement of the German carmaker’s objectives when it launched the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The car is driven by an engine taken from the 911 GT3. The 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six produces 493 hp, accompanied by a symphony that makes the 718 Cayman GT4 RS one of the best-sounding modern Porsches. It’s not just about the engine. The handling and overall chassis balance is supreme, constantly communicating a willingness to be pushed to the the limit. It’s a combination of the car’s attributes that led Top Gear journalists to declare the car as ‘basically flawless,’ a rare accolade indeed.
Porsche 911 (992.1) GT3 RS
One of the most anticipated revelations of the year was the latest iteration of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The supercar kicked off the start of the 992.1 generation and set the bar very high indeed. One of the main highlights was how Porsche integrated the Drag Reduction System (DRS) technology into the framework of the GT3 RS.
The Formula One-derived technology is a system of flaps at the front and rear of the car that open and close to manage drag. It helps the GT3 RS achieve higher speeds on long straights and also provides a ton of grip as the car slaloms around corners. Apart from the DRS, the 911 GT3 RS is packed full of advanced aerodynamics and cutting-edge technology to meet the demands of modern-day driving, either on public roads or out on competitive race circuits.
Ferrari 812 Competizione
At the most basic level, the 812 Competizione can be viewed as Ferrari’s interpretation of a hardcore version of the 812 Superfast. Every element, from its extreme styling to its aggressive aerodynamics, reflects the exclusivity and uncompromising nature of this limited-series supercar. No fancy hybrid here; the 812 Competizione gets its oomph from a free-breathing V12 engine. The 6.5-litre unit makes an impressive 819 hp at a screaming 9,250 rpm, enough to launch the car to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and on to a 211 mph (340 km/h) top speed. The 812 Competizione delivers a visceral driving experience few cars can match, with its raw power, lightning-quick shifts and precise steering. There’s the convertible version, too – the Competizione A – for those who want the same experience while enjoying the freedom of open-top driving.
Mercedes-AMG ONE
The first customer Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar was delivered in January 2023. It marked the end of what must have been one of the most challenging and ambitious projects embarked upon by the German carmaker. More than a few eyebrows were raised when Mercedes first introduced the Project One concept car in 2017 at the International Motor Show in Germany. How would the car maker adapt a thoroughbred Formula One engine for road use? It was not easy, and there were a lot of hoops to jump through, but somehow, the carmaker managed it, creating, in the process, one of the most remarkable modern-era performance cars. A high-revving 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 powers the ONE, supported by a bank of four electric motors for a combined power output of about 1,063 hp. The hypercar has already proved its credentials with record runs at the infamous Nurburgring circuit, where it set a lap record for production cars.
