When hybrid technology entered the automotive world's production models, it was intended for a single purpose; to make cars more economical. Batteries and electric motors were just there to lessen the load of the engine. Like the Toyota Prius for example, which is one of the best new and used hybrid models to have. It's desirable as a daily driver due to its exceptional fuel efficiency and reliability, but rather lacking in its go-fast capabilities.
However, as the downsizing trend for internal combustion engines became the norm, manufacturers have somehow found another purpose for this technology, and that is to boost performance. The combination of a hybrid-electric drivetrain improved traction and acceleration off the line thanks to instant torque provided by electric motors, making way to insane levels of performance, as seen in these hybrid sports cars.
10 Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Thanks to its Formula One-derived hybrid technology, the revolutionary SF90 Stradale is currently the fastest road-going car ever built by Ferrari. Furthermore, it is also their first-ever plug-in hybrid.
769hp from its V8 engine and an extra 217hp from the car's three electric motors push the output near the 1000hp barrier. Coupled with an all-wheel-drive system, the SF90 Stradale will go from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of 211 mph.
9 Aston Martin Valkyrie
Due to its partnership with Red Bull Racing, the Aston Martin Valkyrie benefits from the aerodynamic sorcery of Formula One designer Adrian Newey. Limited to 150 units worldwide, the Valkyrie is modern automotive art at its finest.
The Valkyrie's Cosworth V12 engine is capable of revving up to 11,000 rpm, and coupled with an electric motor from the makers of the Rimac Concept One, it's a wicked performance hybrid with a combined power output of 1160hp.
8 Mercedes-AMG One
Mercedes-AMG took on the concept of the Aston Martin Valkyrie and did one better; they took the power unit of their Formula One car, and slapped it into the chassis of the street-legal One hypercar. 1,200hp, 217mph top speed, and costing $3-millon, this hypercar needs no introduction at all. Quite simply, this car is the embodiment of Mercedes-AMG's domination of the hybrid era of Formula One.
The pre-production prototype of the One hypercar is undergoing final testing at the Nürburgring and is only limited to 275 units. Even though the production model's deliveries will still be scheduled around Q3 of 2021, all the examples of the One have been sold.
7 McLaren P1
Dubbed as "a widowmaker" by Jeremy Clarkson, the McLaren P1 is a rear-wheel-drive hybrid supercar that provides sheer driving pleasure and redefines the vision of a super sports car. A highly skilled driver is needed to push this car to its absolute limits.
Its combined power output of 903bhp from its twin-turbo V8 engine and its electric motor drives the P1 to a top speed of 217mph. Plus, it can turn its engine off and cruise in all-electric mode for 7 miles.
6 Porsche 918 Spyder
With a V8 engine derived from the RS Spyder Le Mans car and hybrid technology to boost performance, the Porsche 918 Spyder raised the bar for the future of the hypercar due to its everyday usability. TopGear describes the 918 as "the most complete hypercar there has ever been".
Porsche's second-ever hybrid produces 875bhp from its high-revving V8 engine and two electric motors, pushing the car to a top speed of 211mph. But more than that, it is capable of reaching 30mpg, and go for 12 miles in full-electric mode, proving that the 918 Spyder can be driven daily while being frugal.
5 Ferrari LaFerrari
Ferrari's ultimate hypercar is the LaFerrari. While the SF90 Stradale upped it in terms of being a plug-in hybrid supercar, the first Ferrari hybrid utilized F1-derived technology to mainly enhance the performance of its V12 engine.
The rear-wheel-drive LaFerrari's 6.3-liter V12 engine produces 800hp, that when supplemented by a KERS system, goes up to 963hp, giving the car a top speed of 220mph. With all the modern technological wizardry that the people from Maranello have learned from its Formula One program, the LaFerrari became indeed the true definitive Ferrari, worthy of its nameplate.
4 Honda NSX
Honda reinvented the NSX as a hybrid sports car when the nameplate returned in 2016. The second-generation now benefitted from SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), with three electric motors augmenting the combustion engine and forming a hybrid setup.
The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 produced 500hp, with the electric motors pushing the output to 573hp. It accelerates from 0 to 60mph in 2.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 191mph.
3 BMW i8
BMW's i8 embodied the marque's Vision EfficientDynamics design philosophy when it was revealed in 2013. It was futuristic, and had the performance of a sports car with the fuel efficiency of a plug-in hybrid, thanks to its three-cylinder turbocharged engine and its electric motors.
This car kickstarted an automotive revolution due to the way BMW utilized hybrid technology with the i8. And soon after, other car manufacturers followed suit, bringing to life the hypercar "holy trinity" that we know today.
2 Lexus LC500h
The Lexus LC500h may not have groundbreaking performance from a hybrid, but it is one of the most luxurious and good-looking hybrid grand tourers today that not only packs a serious punch but is also fuel-efficient. Top Gear calls it "a real brute in a suit".
Top speed is limited to 155mph, and its hybrid powertrain allows it to run on pure electric power alone for up to 87mph. But other than that, its true gem is in its efficiency. It can run up to 44mpg, twice as efficient as its naturally aspirated LC500 brother.
1 Porsche Panamera Hybrid
Having the distinction of being Porsche's first plug-in hybrid sports car, the Panamera Hybrid not only impressed in the technology that Porsche engineers have done to this car, but also its performance on track is quite remarkable.
Packing a 552hp power unit thanks to the combination of its 2.9-liter V6 twin-turbo engine and electric motors, the Panamera Hybrid smashed lap records for four-door luxury hybrid sedans across six international race tracks.