The Top 5 Greatest Hypercars - News

What is a Hypercar?

Each year, the word Hypercar is used more and more to describe a supercar. Hypercars are the very pinnacle of supercar designs. The best analogy is all hypercars can be a supercar, but not all supercars can be a hypercar. Only the fastest, loudest, most expensive, the brashest and the most sought-after supercars can really claim to be a hypercar.

These beasts of the road must be seen to be believed. They compromise of power, performance and are rarely ever seen at their full potential unless in the hands of someone worthy enough to tame the proverbial beast.

Below is a list compiled of the top 5 hypercars that we think no one could argue with.

1. The Bugatti Chiron

When Bugatti first unveiled the Veyron way back in 2004, most thought that the height of motoring had been reached. No one was going to outdo the Veyron. That was until Bugatti bought out first the Veyron Supersport, and then its official replacement, the Bugatti Chiron. It has all the boxes ticked: power, performance, exuberance and a hefty price tag to boot. It may be built like a tank, but it goes like a jet fighter ready for a dog fight. 0 - 60 mph can be reached in as a little as 2.5 seconds, and yes, the top speed is limited to 261 mph, but the likelihood of you reaching that speed is as slim as owning one, as only 500 of these hypercars were built.

2. McLaren P1

Just like its older brother, the McLaren F1, The P1 truly is something to behold. There were murmurings in Surrey that McLaren was working on a hybrid hypercar to rival the Porsche 918, and by God did they do that. They built 375 units and within a month they were all sold. This is the popularity of the P1.

Everything about this car oozes performance and it can definitely be felt on a normal windy country road. But to really appreciate what the McLaren P1 is all about, you must take it home (home, in this case, being any half-decent race circuit). With both an electric motor and a standard combustible, you wouldn’t be blamed in thinking it would take some of the shine off but if anything, it adds a whole new dimension to driving.

3. Porsche 918 Spyder

There can be many pretenders but there can only ever be the one. The 918 Spyder is the one. Back in 2010, Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder as a concept car, but between March and July that year, over 2000 people declared they wanted a piece of history. Porsche decided to put it into production, and we are so glad they did. A mid-engine 4.6 litre V8, along with two electric motors come together in harmony, and can produce a staggering 881 bhp that propels it from 0 - 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 214 mph.

This along with an upgrade package helped it become the first street-legal production car to break the 7-minute barrier at the infamous Nürburgring. It broke the previous record by a staggering 14 seconds, crossing the line with a time of 6 minutes 57 seconds. Both Ferrari and McLaren took note and came out with their very own hybrid cars to create the ‘Holy Trinity’ and so one of the most debated topics was created. Which is better, the Porsche 918 Spyder, the McLaren P1 or the LaFerrari? Ten years on, we are still no closer to an outright winner.

4. LaFerrari

Ferrari unveiled their rival to take on the might of McLaren and Porsche with their very own hybrid, the LaFerrari. And so with it, the ‘Holy Trinity’ of hybrid hypercars was complete. The name LaFerrari is a peculiar one, to say the least, but Ferrari can be forgiven because they created an absolute monster of a car. With a push of a button, the prancing horse is ready and raring to go when the naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V12 kicks in. But that’s just part of what’s going on under the chassis, as the car is also fitted with a KERS-Esque battery pack and an electric motor that pushes it past the 918 when it comes to power. Everything else is what you’d expect from the Italian giants; looks, style and panache are all there, but the true quality of the car is the drive. Modern in the technology, but still at the heart is a car that is built on racing pedigree and through each twist, turn and straight, it will take your breath away. Only 499 were ever built, and in today’s market, they can fetch up to £1.8 million.

5. Koenigsegg Agera RS

Where do we start? Let’s take a look at some numbers: 0 - 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, a top speed of 284mh, a 5 litre V8 that creates 1,3600 and a price tag just shy of £2m, the Koenigsegg is every bit the hypercar and the fastest nonupgraded production car ever built.

Like the other cars on the list, the Agera RS is brash, bold and not many will get to own one, but just like the other cars, it isn’t about the glitz and glamour. It's about the performance and how it handles. Sat just mere inches off the ground, you feel the downforce created by the huge spoiler on the back, this is essential as without the spoiler you would most likely lift-off, as is the power of this incredible machine. It sticks to the road like glue and will take your breath away each and every time you drive it.

• Pagani Cinqque
• Lamborghini Centenario
• Aston Martin Vulcan
• McLaren Senna
• Hennessey Venom F5

Trackdays may not have a hypercar to drive but we have a range of other wonderful supercar driving experiences available to enjoy on one of our many race circuits and experience venues.