The modern car market is packed with some seriously fast cars at all price points. Some of the most powerful cars under $50,000 such as the 2022 Toyota Supra J29/DB (also called the Toyota GR Supra in other markets) and the sixth-generation 2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS. But when it comes to sheer power, those cars seem like toys compared to the machines on this list.
Sure, these cars aren't great daily drivers, instead, they are performance-focused sports cars and supercars designed to provide maximum thrill regardless of money.
The most powerful production car in the world at the moment is the Lotus Evija. The same car is also the one with the highest hp in a production car to date. Eventually, there will be a newer sports car that will take its place at the top. That said, here's what the top 10 most powerful cars on the market look like today.
10 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 (803 HP)
Being the successor model to the original Countach that was very popular in the '80s, Lamborghini's new take on its iconic Countach will have some shoes to fill. Retaining its recognizable front pointed wedged design, the new modernized iteration of the Countach is one of the company's new hybrid-electric mid-engine offerings.
Although not hitting the numbers in the four digits, the 803 hp under its hood is nothing to sneeze at. 112 units were built and sold to customers, paying tribute to the original Countach's LP 112 model number during its own production. The new car screams '80s but with modernized styling and upgraded performance in a hybrid setup.
9 Ferrari 296 GTB (819 HP)
The Ferrari 296 GTB (Grand Turismo Berlinetta), is the Italian supercar manufacturer's answer to its rival companies that are pumping out their own hybrids. The plug-in hybrid comes in two versions: the “GTB” in a standard coupe setup, while the “GTS” is a convertible with a folding hard-top design.
Aside from being a hybrid, the 296 is notable for being Ferrari's first car model with a V6 engine and is considered an “entry-level” car from Ferrari. The 296 produces 819 hp, which isn't shabby for a supposedly entry-level plug-in hybrid car. Notably, the 296 appeared in the famous video game Fortnite as a promotion collaboration with Epic Games in 2021.
8 Tesla Model X Plaid (1,020 HP)
For those looking for an electric SUV that can produce a 4-digit power output, the Tesla Model X Plaid is one of the best choices on the market today. The 2023 iteration is a great choice for those drivers who still want to have fun driving while being able to haul a family of four with some extra space for luggage and other trinkets.
Outputting an incredible 1,020 hp for an EV SUV, the Plaid model is one of Tesla's best car models to date. You can race it in a track one day and do family-oriented things the next day without issues. And thanks to it being an EV, it contributes less pollution compared to its gas-guzzling brethren.
7 Dodge Challenger Demon SRT 170 (1,025 HP)
Drivers involved with drag racing will love this offering from Dodge, as it screams power with its unique setup by having wider rear tires that are akin to the slicks that dragster cars are equipped with for drag racing. The Challenger Demon SRT 170 is a performance trim enhancement for the base Challenger model.
The 2023 iteration of the Demon SRT 170 houses 1,025 hp produced by a modified Hellcat V8 engine. The 170 owes its name to the 170-proof ethanol fuel mixture it consumes to achieve its top power output. But the car is still capable of using 91-octane gas, producing a slightly lower 900 hp.
6 Mercedes-AMG One (1,049 HP)
Aiming to bring Formula One technology into a street-legal sports car that a wealthy driver could buy, the Mercedes-AMG ONE (R50; previously named Project One) is one of the company's take in the plug-in hybrid sports car market. It is now famous and known to racing game fans as it became the cover car of Forza Horizon 5 for the Xbox series of consoles.
Producing 1,049 hp with its hybrid engine that was also used with the Mercedes-AMG F1 W06 race car, the AMG One will need an engine refurbishment every 50,000 km (31,068.56 miles). Aside from the engine, many of its parts and features of the W06 Formula One race car.
5 Aston Martin Valkyrie (1,160 HP)
A collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing Advanced Technologies, the Valkyrie is a track-oriented hybrid sports car that is surprisingly street-legal. Formerly named the AM-RB 001 and Nebula, the collaboration aims for the Valkyrie to be the fastest street-legal road car that a driver can purchase.
The car's chosen name continues the naming tradition of Aston Martin of naming their performance sports cars with the letter “V.” The next collaboration car that the two companies will produce has been already named “Valhalla,” continuing the tradition. The two expect the Valkyrie to outrun the competition with its powerful 1,160-hp engine, a heavily aerodynamic body design, and track-focused handling and performance.
4 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ (1,578 HP)
Being a high-performance variant of the already powerful Bugatti Chiron, the Super Sport 300+ variant adds more power to Chiron's base performance. That resulted in its engine having a 1,578-hp output, providing monstrous power for its driver to control and play with. However, just like many powerful sports cars built, the Super Sport 300+ had a limited run of just 30 units as part of Bugatti's 110th anniversary.
To distinguish the Super Sport from its similarly looking prototype brethren, Bugatti constructed the body with carbon fiber featuring lacquer coating. Some distinctive orange stripes were applied to the body, evoking design cues seen on the Veyron Super Sport World Record Edition and the Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Car.
3 Koenigsegg Jesko & Gemera (1,603 HP & 1,700 HP)
Koenigsegg offered not one but two sports cars in their lineup that reached the 1,700-hp output. The first would be the mid-engine Jesko, while the second one would be the 4-seater Gemera. The former is currently in production, while the latter is expected for a release in 2024. The Gemera is the first Koenigsegg car to have four seats, whereas previous offerings from the Swedish company have been sports cars.
The Jesko produces 1,603 hp, while the Gemera outputs 1,700 hp. The difference in hp might not be that big, but due to how different each car is, there would be a notable difference when it comes to overall performance and car handling.
2 Hennessey Venom F5 (1,817 HP)
The other American sports car on this list, the 2023 Hennessey Venom F5 houses a huge amount of power within its rear-mid engine placement – 1,817 to be exact. Hennessey aims to reach a top speed in excess of 300 mph, hence naming the car as a reference to the F5 tornado and its highest tornado rating. By reaching that top speed, the company would achieve the title of creating the world's fastest production car.
Only 24 units left the factory for its 2023 iteration, and it has been already confirmed in 2021 that all 2023 units sold successfully. This makes the Venom F5 a potentially highly sought-after car if sold by its owner.
1 Lotus Evija (2,011 HP)
Being the first electric sports car for Lotus Cars, the Evija is their most powerful sports car offering yet. Previously code-named “Type 130” and “Omega,” the Evija will join other sports cars in the limited-production run category.
The parent company will produce only 130 units overall. Since the car is an EV, it ditches the traditional engine block and replaces it with a 70-kWh (250 MJ) battery pack. Each wheel has its own electric motor that has a combined output of 2011 hp. Lotus said that the Evija would reach a top speed of 217 mph.