The bar for what is considered a powerful car keeps getting higher and higher. Automakers are literally trying to go beyond the laws of physics when it comes to how powerful a road car can be. Tires are not capable of putting down the full power these cars are capable of, but that doesn't stop the carmakers from adding a little more horsepower and torque just to one-up the previous most powerful vehicle.
Currently, it is the electric cars that seem to be topping the charts, but they haven't quite put the giant quad-turbo engines out of business yet. A quad-turbo V-16 currently leads the pack for the most powerful engine in a street-legal car. But it will not be long before an all-electric model takes the world by storm and sits on the top of the pile of the most powerful production cars on the planet. For now, though, if you want to get behind the wheel of the quickest of the quick, you will have to get behind the wheel of a beast that still has an internal combustion engine. Any guess which car that is?
Looking at data from Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, and Road and Track, we have compiled a list of the most powerful cars by comparing the total horsepower of each individual supercar.
Updated August 4, 2023: Since this article was first published, a few 2023 vehicles have taken over some spots on this list. Therefore, instead of simply creating a new one, we have decided to update this list so you will find five new additions to the 10 original cars, creating a list of the 20 most powerful production cars in the world!
20 Aion Hyper SSR
Total Horsepower: 1,225 HP
Starting in March of this year, production began for the 2024 Aion Hyper SSR, which will be one of the most unique and mind-blowing production cars on the market. Even though the company has not divulged any information on the specifics of the batteries that they will be using for this all-electric monster, other than that they will be an NCM lithium-ion battery pack, the Aion Hyper SSR will pound out almost 8,900 pound-feet of torque, but for how long on one charge will be anyone's guess.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 MPH |
| Curb Weight | unknown |
| Horsepower | 1,225 horsepower |
| Torque | 8,850 pound-feet |
| Layout | dual electric motors, rear-wheel drive |
The interior design will be just as unique as the exterior, featuring a race-inspired steering wheel, bi-level instrument panels, exposed tubular structures throughout the cockpit, a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, an 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster, and butterfly doors that open and close automatically after the driver pushes down firmly on the brake pedal.
19 Czinger 21C
Total Horsepower: 1,250 HP
Designed and built in Los Angelos, this American-made supercar breaks into the top 20 by producing over 1,000 horsepower through the use of a 2.88-liter twin-turbo V-8 that drives the two rear tires, combined with two electric motors in the front that propel the two front tires, creating an all-wheel-drive track and road supercar that can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under two seconds.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 268 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 2,756 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,250 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,061 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
The cockpit's interior is not set up like a traditional road car because the company wanted to have the seating as narrow as possible to mimic the F1 cars, which helps to minimize the wind resistance at high speeds. If you are unfamiliar with these types of vehicles, there is only one seat in the middle of the front. Since the company is making the Czinger 21C into a production car, they have an extra seat directly behind the driver's position, making the vehicle a two-seat supercar while keeping the look of a track-ready F1 race car.
18 SSC Ultimate Aero TT
Total Horsepower: 1,287 HP
SSC North America, founded by Jerod Shelby (no relation to the world-renowned Carroll Shelby), has moved on to some record-breaking cars since the Ultimate Aero TT in 2007. Supercars such as the SSC Tuatara Aggressor that pushes out 2,200 horsepower on ethanol, but since that car is designed only for the track, it does not have a place on this list.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 255 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 2,756 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,287 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,093 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
However, The Ultimate Aero TT is a production car that pumps out over 1,200 horses using a Chevy-sourced Corvette engine with some upgrades. Upgrades such as twin-turbos that helped the engine achieve the horsepower and torque needed in the Aero TT to accomplish the goal that Jerod had set out to do, which was to set records and put a beating to the European cars that had dominated the supercar genre for far too long.
17 Nio EP9
Total Horsepower: 1,341 HP
The Nio EP9 is not a production car that you are likely to see cruising around on the local roadways because even though it has been designed, built, and sold to the public, it is not a street-legal car. The EP9 is an all-electric supercar that runs on four separate motors, one for each tire, to ensure that each wheel helps launch the car forward to its end goal of reaching almost 200 MPH.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 195 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,825 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,341 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,092 pound-feet |
| Layout | four electric motors, all-wheel drive |
Unlike the all-electric vehicles that you have seen on the roads today, the batteries need to be removed to be charged, so the Nio EP9 was designed so they can be removed within minutes. The battery can be fully recharged in 45 minutes and can last for up to 265 miles, which makes many people wonder why this technology is not being used more often. For now, Nio is content with setting records on the Nurburgring, but the future looks bright for this company that has only been around since 2014.
16 Koenigsegg Agera One
Total Horsepower: 1,341 HP
The Koenigsegg Agera One was introduced to the public at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. The company built seven cars in total, all of which were sold before they were even produced. The powerplant is a twin-turbocharged 5.0L Agera variant that can pump out up to 1,341 horses at 7,500 RPM. At 6,000 RPM, the engine can create an impressive 1,011 pound-feet of torque, which is transferred to the rear wheels through the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission combined with the electronic differential.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 3.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 272 MPH |
| Curb weight | 2,954 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,341 horsepower |
| Torque | 10,11 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive |
One of the most unique features of the 2014 model is the third shock absorber that the engineers placed into the front of the car. It was positioned in between the two front wheels, connecting them together. This design helped reduce the squatting during hard acceleration, canceling all the adverse effects of the anti-sway bar during that sudden burst of power forward. The Agera One was the first mega car on the scene, and one of the most amazing things about the car is that it can run on various types of fuel.
15 Rimac Concept S
Total Horsepower: 1,384 HP
What was once just a concept car is now an actual production car because the first of the line was finally delivered to its proud owner in New York City in June of this year. To this date, it is the fastest all-electric car on the market, with its four electric motors powering all four wheels, producing over 1,000 pounds of horsepower and torque. Not to mention that this all-electric supercar can travel for up to 217 miles on a charge, which is well within the specs of many of its more docile rivals.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 227 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,968 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,384 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,328 pound-feet |
| Layout | four electric motors, all-wheel drive |
The Rimac S has not only set some of the more common speed records, such as 0 to 60 MPH (1.74 seconds) and the quarter mile (8.26 seconds), it broke numerous others, such as the standing mile in 20.62 seconds. Electric cars have given carmakers a way to exceed the limits that, until now, only the most high-performance ICE engines have been able to accomplish. Soon, they will even surpass those into their own level of stardom.
14 Bugatti Chiron
Total Horsepower: 1,479 HP
The engine for the Chiron is the same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16 engine but heavily updated to push out up to 1,479 horsepower at 6,700 RPM and 1,180 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 RPM. The engine was borrowed from the Bugatti Veyron, the familiar W16, but was upgraded to meet the needs of the Chiron. Even though the top speed of the Chiron is limited to 261 for safety reasons, it is more than capable of going faster if and when a proper set of tires can be found that can hold up to the stress of such speeds.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 261 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,400 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,479 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,180 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
The body is crafted out of carbon fiber material, and underneath, you will find independent suspension and a Haldex All-Wheel drive system that grips the road after the first initial spin as the seven-speed transmission shifts gears. The one thing that you will not find in the Chiron is driver aids because at those speeds, if you are not able to control the car on your own, you should simply not be behind the wheel of the Bugatti.
13 Bugatti Divo
Total Horsepower: 1,479 HP
The engine that sits in the middle of this all-wheel drive hypercar is an 8.0-liter W-16 engine that can pump out up to 1,479 horses and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. If it sounds a little familiar, it should because it is the same engine placed under the hood of the Bugatti Chiron. The main difference between the two cars is that the Divo was designed more for the track, so it weighs 77 pounds less.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 236 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,321 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,479 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,180 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
When the company created the car, they took more precautions when considering the Divo's aerodynamics, ensuring the air flows around the vehicle more effectively to avoid as much wind drag as possible. This gives the Bugatti Divo track times of around nine seconds for the quarter mile.
12 Koenigsegg Regera
Total Horsepower: 1,500 HP
The Regera has one of the most unique powertrains on the planet: a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 working in conjunction with three electric motors behind the passenger compartment. The Koenigsegg Regera sends all 1,500 horsepower from its electric motors and gas-powered engine directly to the rear wheels without a transmission. It weighs 3,500 pounds and can travel from 0 to 249 miles per hour in just 31.49 seconds, which is a world record. Active aerodynamic components and an adjustable suspension system control it at such high speeds.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 255 MPH |
| Curb weight | 3,589 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,500 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,475 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
The only actual safety features that the Koenigsegg Regerahas are front are rear parking sensors. However, safety features are not the main selling point when you purchase a car like this. The price of admission is the looks and performance, and the Regera is sure to please for the couple of million that you will be forking out to get behind the wheel of one of these beauties.
11 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
Total Horsepower: 1,578 HP
The Chiron's 1578-horsepower engine makes the 4,587-pound Super Sport feel as light as a BMW Z3. It has soft and fluid steering, a carbon-fiber structure unaffected by just about anything besides an off-road trail, and 1.05G of grip on the skidpad. The tectonic energy of the engine will send you slip-sliding if you get a little crazy with the throttle in the middle of a corner. Handling is calm and non-threatening, which seems strange given that you're cornering at over 1.00 Gs in a vehicle as heavy as a Chevy Traverse. It's another way Bugatti makes insanity appear sane.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 273 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,586 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,578 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,180 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
The 16-cylinder 8-liter engine is aided by four turbochargers and a seven-speed sequential automatic transmission to help get the car up to speed. Bugatti claims the Chiron Super Sport can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just over two seconds. When Car and Driver put the vehicle to the test on the track, they found that the car could not only do that, but it could also hit 200 MPH from a dead stop in a mere 15 seconds.
10 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
Total Horsepower: 1,603 HP
The Koenigsegg Jesko is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 that delivers 1,280 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet of torque on pump fuel. With E85, the engine generates 1,600 horsepower. The world's lightest V-8 crankshaft is featured on the engine, which is crafted from a single, solid-steel billet and has a flat-plane design. The LST includes a rear-wheel-steering system that switches the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts at high speeds to boost cornering and stability.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 300 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,131 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,603 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,106 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
At low speeds, the back wheels are oriented in the opposite direction as the front to improve turn-in. According to the company, the car can generate up to 1,764 pounds of downforce at 155 miles per hour and as much as 3,086 pounds at higher speeds, almost as much as the car's claimed curb weight of 3,131 pounds.
9 Koenigsegg Gemera
Total Horspower: 1,700 HP
Even though the 2020 Geneva Motor Show was canceled, the Koenigsegg Gemera was introduced to the public over an online broadcast. It was the first four-seat hypercar to be placed on the market for production, and to top it off, it is a plug-in hybrid. The engine is the first of its kind, weighing in at a mere 150 pounds.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 248 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,383 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,700 horsepower |
| Torque | 2,580 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
The compact design, dubbed the Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG), pushes out 590 horsepower at 7500 RPM, with a redline of 8500 RPM. It is combined with three electric motors, two on each rear wheel that pump out up to 500 horses and one on the front wheels that push out 400 horsepower, for a combined total of 1,700 horsepower.
8 SSC Tuatara
Total Horsepower: 1,750 HP
The Tuatara's heart is a technological marvel in its own right. SSC North America's years of detailed design and engineering resulted in a powerhouse V-8 engine for the Tuatara. On pump gas, the Tuatara produces 1,350 horsepower. However, it can achieve 1,750 horsepower and 1,341 pound-feet of torque on ethanol or methanol.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 295 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 2,750 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,750 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,341 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
To guarantee that the engine met the quality, performance, and durability requirements demanded by the hypercar sector, SSC North America teamed with Nelson Racing Engines to manufacture and construct the V-8 engine that powers this next-generation hypercar. It has a top speed of over 300 miles per hour.
7 Hennessey Venom F5
Total Horsepower: 1,817 HP
The F5 Venom comes in two styles: coupe or cabriolet, and the two vehicles share the same mechanical package. The V-8 boasts 1,817 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through a single-gear automatic transmission. The roadster, which weighs 3,098 pounds dry, is said to have a top speed of over 300 miles per hour and will be restricted to lower speeds when its roof panel is removed.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 300 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 2,998 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,817 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,300 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
The decapitated version weighs only 45 pounds more than the coupe. According to the company, the F5 will be the world's fastest and most powerful open-top road vehicle. Only 30 will be built, each of which will cost $3 million.
6 Pininfarina Battista
Total Horsepower: 1,874 HP
The Battista is the company's first ground-up car, built as a production version of a concept vehicle that debuted in 2018. The Battista, born out of Pininfarina's owner, the Indian conglomerate Mahindra, was brought to life thanks to their investment. Its elegant curves and 1,877 horsepower were created thanks to Pininfarina's investment.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 222 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,550 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,874 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,696 pound-feet |
| Layout | four electric motors, all-wheel drive |
Rimac was teamed with the automaker on the powertrain and carbon-fiber structure to construct a car from scratch. Pininfarina CEO, Per Svantesson, believes that the underpinnings are not identical to those of the Rimac vehicle, which provides the Battista with unique tuning and a unique driving experience.
5 Rimac Nevera
Total Horsepower: 1,914 HP
Rimac's Nevera electric hypercar is unlike any other, with incredible performance figures that seem to be from the future. With four electric motors producing 1,914 horsepower, it will take just 1.85 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Additionally, the Nevera reaches 258 miles per hour at the highest level.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 258 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,740 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,914 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,696 pound-feet |
| Layout | four electric motors, all-wheel drive |
It is a superbly balanced hypercar, in addition to achieving incredible speeds in a straight line. As the successor to the Concept-One, the Nevera demonstrates its worth in all respects. Only 150 people can drive one of these cars off as Rimac maintains low production numbers.
4 Aspark Owl
Total Horsepower: 1,985 HP
The Aspark Owl has been under development since 2018 by the Italian automaker Manifattura Automobili Torino. The 50 cars planned for production will be made out of carbon fiber body and chassis, with stainless steel support structures. The vehicle will be driven by a fully electric powertrain, with one motor for each wheel, giving the car an all-wheel drive system with one motor for each wheel to give the car a total power output of 1,985 horsepower and up to 1,475 pound-feet of torque.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 260 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,189 pounds |
| Horsepower | 1,985 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,475 pound-feet |
| Layout | four electric motors, all-wheel drive |
This combination will give the Owl a 0 to 60 time of just under two seconds. The range for the car is claimed to be around 250 miles, and since it only takes about 40 minutes to fully charge, that is a relatively impressive number to go along with awesome performance statistics.
3 Lotus Evija
Total Horsepower: 2,012 HP
This model's cutting-edge technology pushes the limits of modern hypercar technology. While many rivals offer hybrid powertrains, the Lotus Evija is fully electric and has an ultrafast charging setup. Its exterior appearance is inspired by race vehicles built to dominate the track. The Evija includes butterfly doors and a large rear wing, both of which are constructed from sheet metal. Four electric motors on this vehicle deliver over 2,000 horsepower.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 2.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 217 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,704 pounds |
| Horsepower | 2,012 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,256 pound-feet |
| Layout | four electric motors, all-wheel drive |
Only 130 of these leading-edge hypercars will be built, each priced at more than $2 million. That money is well spent for many because Lotus claims that the Evija can sprint from 0 to 186 MPH in under nine seconds. There is no need to travel the world looking for a roller coaster when you own one of these supercars.
2 Deus Vayanne
Total Horsepower: 2,200 HP
Deus calls the Vayanne a "production-oriented concept," and the company is touting some seriously bonkers performance numbers along with a footnote that they are "computer-generated performance, not verified." No information was available about how many or what type of electric motors were used, but the Vayanne's 2,200 horsepower and 1,475 pound-foot torque are claimed.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 248 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,990 pounds |
| Horsepower | 2,200 horsepower |
| Torque | 1,475 pound-feet |
| Layout | three electric motors, all-wheel drive |
According to Deus, the Vayanne will accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in less than 1.99 seconds, with a top speed of 248 miles per hour. It remains to be seen precisely how involved Williams Advanced Engineering was in Vayanne's powertrain development. Deus says deliveries will begin in 2025, and only 99 copies of the Vayanne will be produced.
1 Devel Sixteen
Total Horsepower: 5,007 HP
If you drive a Devel Sixteen, you could say that every other car on the road is "cute." You would not make many friends, though; you might even experience that "lonely at the top" feeling. With up to 5,007 horsepower, other cars will flinch a little when you drive by. The 'Sixteen' name comes from its V-16 Quad-Turbocharged engine.
Performance
| 0 to 60 MPH | 1.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 364 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 5,000 pounds |
| Horsepower | 5,007 horsepower |
| Torque | 3,760 pound-feet |
| Layout | mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
Enough to set off a few car alarms, the Devel Sixteen even inspired Rockstar Games, as you can buy it in GTA 5 as the "Desveste Eight." The base V-8 is expected to start at $1.6 million, and the range-topping 16-cylinder version will begin at more than $2 million.