The 1000hp race began in 2005 after Bugatti launched the Veyron with a magical power figure of 1001hp. The Veyron kickstarted this hunger of breaching the 1000hp mark and many brands started pursuing this new goal thereafter. Fast forward to 2020 and there are dozens of these absurdly fast cars on offer – some of them are even propelled by hybrid and electric powertrains.
Can you buy any of these? In many cases, these exclusive hypercars are produced in limited numbers and get sold out during development stages itself. Although your chances will be good if you own a middle eastern oilfield or use a private jet for commuting. While you calculate your probabilities of getting hands on one, take a look at 10 of the fastest and craziest cars that promise to blow your mind away.
Bugatti wants to slap the achievement of breaching the 300mph mark right in your face. In September 2019, the Molsheim based carmaker performed a record setting run at VW Group’s Ehra Lessein test facility in Germany. Piloted by ex-Le Mans driver Andy Wallace, the near production Chiron Super Sport hit 490.484kmph. The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is for those want to muscle away the 1500hp 'standard' Chiron with an additional 100hp. Only 30 samples will be built.
Price: USD 3.87 million (Rs 28 crore)
California based Rezvani Motors has built an ‘off-road hypercar’ to put all the Defenders and G-Wagen’s of this world to shame. It’s propelled by an optional 1000hp 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine from the Dodge Demon. Extending its all-terrain prowess is an on-demand 4WD, thermal night vision and electromagnetic pulse protection for electrical systems, in case of a nuclear attack, whose radiation can render e-devices inoperable. Clearly, the latter is straight out of the US Defence Department.
Price: USD 155,000 (Rs 1.18 crore)
Americans love everything that’s ginormous, including their SUVs. With the paradigm shift towards EVs, big and brawny e-SUVs like Rivian R1S and Tesla Cybertruck have created a lot of buzz. Hummer too is re-entering the game in 2022 as a sub-brand of GMC. After resurrection, the electric Humvees will right the wrongs of the past (in term of emissions) with an electric drivetrain churning 1000hp and an unbelievable 15992Nm of torque capable of blasting the behemoth to a 100kmph in 3 seconds.
Price: USD 70,000, estimated (Rs 53 lakh)
Here’s Mercedes-AMG fulfilling the dreams of F1 enthusiasts by bringing F1 technology right onto the streets. The two-seater AMG Project One is powered by the same unit that does duty in Lewis Hamilton’s W10 EQ Power+ F1 car. The 1.6-litre V6 hybrid petrol engine is paired to four electric motors, producing over 1000hp and capable of accelerating the Project One to 200kmph in just 6 seconds. Top speed is over 350kmph. Deliveries of the 275 sold out cars start in 2021.
Price: USD 2.7 million (Rs 20.5 crore)
It’s the brand’s first GT hypercar and also the first McLaren to surpass the 1000hp mark. The Speedtail’s aesthetics are undeniably jaw-dropping with a long rear overhang and a controllable aerodynamic innovation called ‘ailerons’ that extend at high speeds for balance and double up as air brakes. That’s aircraft technology right there. That said, the 1,430kg Speedtail is powered by a 4-litre V8 coupled to a hybrid system churning 1070hp.
Price: USD 2.25 million (Rs 17 crore)
Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing Advanced Technologies have jointly developed the Valkyrie. It gets its otherworldly performance from the 6.5-litre V12 engine developed by Cosworth. At 1176hp, it’s the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine. It also uses a 162hp electric motor from Rimac. And lastly, the Valkyrie has the magical 1:1 power to weight ratio and only 150 units will ever be made.
Price: USD 3.2 million (Rs 24.4 crore)
Why can only two family members enjoy the thrills of a hypercar? Koenigsegg is addressing this grave issue with the Gemera four-seater ‘Mega GT’. The billionaire dad can now take his entire family on an intercontinental voyage thanks to the claimed 1000km range from the Gemera’s hybrid drivetrain. A humble 2-litre, three-cylinder engine is paired to three electric motors and combined output stands at not-so-humble 1723hp and 3500Nm of torque. I’m not sure if the airlines will approve of this!
Price: USD 1.7 million (Rs 12.9 crore)
Looks like the Americans wish to be on top of the 1000hp game. The design of the Czinger 21C is inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the ‘fastest air-breathing manned aircraft’. The 21C is also the world’s first 3D printed car and is powered by a 2.8-litre V8 engine paired to a hybrid drivetrain delivering 1232hp. At 1218kg, it’s one of the few cars to have the 1:1 power to weight ratio. The company is claiming a 0-100kmph sprint in just 1.9 seconds and with a quarter mile time of 8.1 seconds, the 21C will be a nightmare for dragsters across the globe. Only 21 samples will be built.
Price: USD 1.7 million (Rs 12.9 crore)