Speed has always captured the imagination of car enthusiasts and engineers and this passion is most evident in the world’s fastest cars. These high-performance machines are marvels of modern engineering, combining sleek, aerodynamic designs with powerful engines and cutting-edge technology to achieve record speeds.
Whether built for the track or engineered to dominate straight-line speed records, the world’s fastest cars are a testament to what’s possible when performance is pushed to new heights. While their top speeds may vary, each car represents a unique achievement in automotive innovation, further fueling the never-ending race for the title of the world’s fastest car.
The 10 fastest cars in the world
The ten fastest cars in the world are:
1. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – 498.8 km/h
The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is estimated by the manufacturer to have a top speed of 498.8 km/h (310 mph), with theoretical speeds as high as 531–563 km/h (330–350 mph), making it the fastest car in the world. Just as powerful as its track-focused sibling, the Jesko Absolut is more seamless and stealthy. Every surface element is constructed to reduce drag or surrounding turbulence while increasing high-speed stability.
The Jesko Absolut is powered by a 1280 bhp, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, featuring the world’s lightest V8 crankshaft, weighing just 12.5 kg. Koenigsegg has also designed super-light connecting rods and pistons to counter the tendency of greater vibrations in flat-plane engines.
2. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ – 490.4 km/h
The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is the fastest Bugatti ever made and the second fastest car in the world. The carmaker said that the final edition of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ – built in honor of the model’s record-breaking 304.773 mph (490.4 km/h) top speed run – has been delivered, completing its production run of just 30 models.
To achieve its top speed of 490.484 km/h, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ had to reach beyond the extreme standards set by the Bugatti Chiron in terms of both power and aerodynamics. A re-engineered version of Bugatti’s 8.0-liter W16 engine surpasses the Chiron’s power output by 100 PS, resulting in a total of 1,600 PS.
Bugatti’s team of engineers also developed a new thermal management system for the hyper sports car’s engine and gearbox, as well as making refinements to the software governing the engine, gearbox, powertrain and turbochargers.
The Chiron Super Sport 300+ also features a longtail, which extends the car by approximately 25 cm. This allows the laminar flow to pass over the body for a longer period of time, reducing aerodynamic stall by more than 40 percent.
3. SSC Tuatara – 474.8 km/h
The world’s third fastest car is the SSC Tuatara. On May 14th, 2022, the SSC Tuatara recorded a top speed of 474.8 km/h (295.0 mph). Designed in partnership with world-renowned designer Jason Castriota of Castriota Design, the Tuatara’s design achieved an all-time production-hypercar best coefficient of drag of 0.279.
From 150 – 295 mph, the car maintained a perfect aerodynamic balance of 37 percent front and 63 percent rear, ensuring precision downforce across all four wheels. The progressive aerodynamics are achieved through an active wing system that provides variable control surface profiles to maximize speed and dynamic performance.
SSC’s V8 powerplant was developed and built in collaboration with Tom Nelson of Nelson Racing Engines. The twin-turbo engine produces 1,750 horsepower on E85 or Methanol, and 1,350 horsepower on 91 Octane.
The Tuatara’s robust carbon-fiber monocoque provides vital safety to the driver and is lightweight enough to ensure peak performance. Crash structures across the car generate superior shock-absorbing protection.
4. Bugatti W16 Mistral – 453.91 km/h
In fourth place comes the Bugatti W16 Mistral, setting a top-speed world record for an open-top car and ranking as one of the fastest cars globally.
At 453.91 km/h (282 mph), the W16 Mistral manages both thermodynamics and aerodynamics effectively. At the front of W16 Mistral, a new wider, deeper and more three-dimensional iteration of the famous Bugatti horseshoe grille allows the high-temperature engine radiator to be fully fed purely from one intake, leaving the two side intakes to focus only on providing air to the intercoolers.
Built around a 1,578-hp version of the W16 engine, first used in the Chiron Super Sport 300+, the Bugatti W16 Mistral specs include a top speed that challenges existing records. Its 8.0-liter quad-turbo engine connects the driver to a revolutionary powertrain, symbolizing the next level of automotive performance.
5. Aspark Owl SP600 – 438.7 km/h
The fifth fastest car in the world is the Aspark Owl SP600. In 2024, the Aspark Owl SP600 was also officially recognized by Guinness World Records as ‘the fastest battery-powered electric prototype hypercar in the world.’ It reached an incredible top speed of 438.7 km/h (273 mph) during the second speed attempt at Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP).
Key specs for the production model include 1,456 kW of output power from four motors and 4,600 Nm of torque at each rear wheel and 2,120 Nm at each front wheel. The per-charge range for the 69-kWh Li-ion battery pack is reported to be 400 km or 248.5 miles.
6. Hennessey Venom F5 – 437 km/h
Hitting 437 km/h (271.6mph) in testing at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds in Florida, the Hennessey Venom F5 is the sixth fastest car in the world. At the heart of the Hennessey Venom F5 lies a V8 twin-turbo engine. This powerhouse delivers a staggering 1,817 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 1,617 Nm (1,193 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm.
Built for extreme performance, the engine features Precision ball bearing twin turbochargers with 76 mm billet aluminum compressor wheels, allowing it to rev up to 8,200 rpm—and up to 8,500 rpm in the exclusive F5 mode.
7. Rimac Nevera – 412 km/h
The Nevera achieved a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph) on the high-speed testing circuit at Papenburg, Germany, making it the seventh fastest car in the world. The Nevera held the title of the fastest electric production car in the world before the Aspark Owl SP600 set a new record in 2024 with an incredible top speed of 438.7 km/h.
Fitted with road-legal Michelin Cup 2R tires, the car possesses a game-changing aerodynamic profile that expertly balances drag and downforce. Key to the Nevera’s speed is its advanced battery system, powertrain and software, all developed in-house at the Rimac Group. The front and rear powertrains – each composed of two individual motors – provide power to each wheel individually. At the rear, a 1MW dual inverter enables 900Nm and 470kW per motor, while an entirely bespoke front powertrain is designed to deliver optimum power and control.
8. Koenigsegg Regera – 410.38 km/h
Koenigsegg Regera’s top speed reportedly reached 410.38 km/h (255mph), making it the Swedish maker’s second car on the list and the eighth fastest car in the world.
Notably, the Regera is the first car in the world that operates all body closures completely automatically, at the touch of a button. The carmaker calls this system ‘Autoskin’. Koenigsegg has managed to robotize the entire Regera with almost no weight penalty, thanks to the latest advances in compact lightweight hydraulic technology.
9. McLaren Speedtail – 403 km/h
In ninth place comes the McLaren Speedtail, reaching a staggering top speed of 403km/h (250mph), making it one of the fastest cars in the world and faster than any car McLaren has ever created. Outstripping even the McLaren F1, this top speed is the combined result of a stunning aerodynamic design, a dry weight of only 1,430kg, and the immense force of the 1,050PS petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
The 5.2 meter-long carbon fibre body is not only sleek and seamless but also makes the Speedtail the most aerodynamically drag-efficient McLaren. The self-charging petrol-electric hybrid powertrain delivers the greatest power and torque of any McLaren road car, with a combined 1,070PS (1,055bhp) and 1,150Nm (848lb ft). It means the Speedtail can reach 300km/h (186mph) from a standing start in less than 13 seconds.
10. W Motors Fenyr Supersport – 400 km/h
In tenth place comes the W Motors Fenyr Supersport, recording a top speed of 400km/h (248.5 mph). The Fenyr Supersport is capable of generating a horsepower of 900 BHP and a torque of 1100 Nm.
W Motors is likely a brand you have never heard of before, but there’s a good chance you have seen one of its cars before. If you watched Fast and Furious 7, you will recognise the W Motors Lykan HyperSport as the car that double-jumps across three skyscrapers. Following Lykan HyperSport’s release came the Fenyr Supersport.
At the heart of the Fenyr Supersport is a one-of-a-kind flat 6 cylinder 4.0L twin turbo, mid-rear engine engineered in Germany by the renowned RUF Automobile company. To contribute to its performance, a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox is in place, aiming to take advantage of the 900 horsepower and 1,200 Newton-Metre torque.
This results in less than 2.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph).
What makes a car the fastest in the world?
Speed isn’t just a product of high horsepower; it’s the result of engineering, design and innovation. The fastest cars in the world are marvels of modern technology, where every component is optimized for one goal: unmatched velocity.
Under the hood of these machines, you will often find engineering masterpieces like quad-turbo W16s or twin-turbocharged V8s, capable of delivering extreme horsepower. These engines are built not just for raw output, but for efficient power delivery across a wide RPM range.
Breaking speed records also requires cutting through the air with minimal resistance. Sleek bodies, active aero elements and finely sculpted underbodies reduce drag and boost downforce, keeping the car stable even at record speeds. To achieve record-breaking speeds, weight must also be kept to a minimum without sacrificing strength. That’s why manufacturers turn to materials such as carbon fiber, titanium and aerospace-grade aluminum—each contributing to better acceleration, braking and handling dynamics.
Many of today’s speed champions harness the instant torque of hybrid or fully electric systems. These systems eliminate turbo lag, maximize efficiency and deliver power to the wheels with lightning speed, making launch control systems even more effective.
Beyond the machinery, it’s the human touch that refines these vehicles. Elite teams of engineers and test drivers spend countless hours calibrating suspension, transmission, and engine dynamics to ensure every component works at extreme speeds.
The evolution of speed records
Taking a look back at the emergence of hypercars, the first production vehicle to crack 200 mph (321.8 km/h) was the Ferrari F40 in 1987. In the two years after it went on sale, it held the title of the world’s fastest street-legal car. A total of only 1,315 examples were produced, making this vehicle a rare sight on the roads.
In 2019, a near-production prototype derivative of the hyper sports car Chiron Super Sport 300+ surpassed the magic limit with a speed of 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h), a world record. With that, Bugatti became the first manufacturer to break the 300-mile-an-hour barrier.
In 2022, SSC North America’s SSC Tuatara cemented its spot among the fastest cars in the world, recording a top speed of 295.0 mph (474.8 km/h).
The competition for the title of the fastest car in the world is a relentless race, with elite manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of speed and innovation. Every year, new hypercars emerge, each claiming to inch closer to, or surpass, the 300 mph barrier.
This pursuit of speed isn’t just about bragging; it’s a showcase of technological advancement, where aerodynamics, powertrains, materials science and software all converge to redefine what’s mechanically possible. From legacy brands like Bugatti and Koenigsegg to the ambitious Rimac and Hennessey, the leaderboard is in constant flux, making the battle for speed supremacy more thrilling than ever.
The rise of electric speed: The Rimac Nevera
Rimac’s all-electric hypercar, the Nevera, shattered expectations and redefined what electric vehicles are capable of. With a blistering top speed of 412 km/h and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds, the Nevera proves that speed isn’t reserved for combustion engines alone.
The Nevera held the title of the fastest electric production car in the world before the Aspark Owl SP600 set a new record in 2024 with an incredible top speed of 438.7 km/h.
At its core is a cutting-edge quad-motor system, with each wheel powered independently for optimal torque distribution and precise control. This advanced system not only delivers incredible grip and agility but also enables the car to respond instantaneously to driver inputs—a key advantage over traditional drivetrain layouts.
Beyond the numbers, the Nevera represents a turning point in the hypercar world. It shows that electric propulsion, once seen as a limitation in performance vehicles, is now a pathway to breaking records.
Read: The 10 most expensive cars in the world in 2025
What’s next in the race for speed?
As we look ahead, the quest to build the world’s fastest car is entering an exciting new era—one that blends raw power with smart innovation. The future won’t be defined by horsepower alone, but by how efficiently technology, design and data are integrated to push limits even further.
Electric systems offer instant torque, seamless power delivery, and fewer mechanical limitations, making them ideal for extreme acceleration. Paired with lightweight battery tech and hybrid systems that combine combustion power with electric boosts, tomorrow’s hypercars will redefine performance benchmarks.
Expect to see more adaptive aerodynamic systems that adjust in real-time based on speed, wind conditions, and driving mode. Alongside these, active suspension systems will provide unparalleled control and stability, allowing cars to remain glued to the road even at top speeds.
As cars grow too fast for public roads, automakers are investing in purpose-built testing facilities and virtual simulators to fine-tune performance. Digital environments allow engineers to simulate hundreds of high-speed scenarios before ever hitting the road, accelerating development cycles and ensuring precision at extreme speeds.
With leaders like Koenigsegg, Bugatti and Hennessey continuing to innovate—and EV disruptors like Rimac, and potentially even Tesla joining the game— the speed challenges of 2025 and beyond promise to be more competitive, more electrified and more thrilling than ever.
