Track-only cars are not as far-fetched as they may sound in today's automobile industry. There are a number of reasons why carmakers undertake the development of a car that can't be driven on the streets or public roads, at least not without the risk of breaking the law. In some cases, the projects are borne out of the request of elite clientele – much in the same way as the production of exclusive series vehicles. In other instances, these track-only supercars serve as a test-bed for technology that may later find its way into regular production vehicles. There are little to no regulations that have to be followed and the engineers really go all out in creating a mechanical beast so wild, it can only be unleashed out on the race track.
10 McLaren 720S GT3X
The incredible McLaren 720S has spawned quite a few variants but none is more extreme than the exclusive 720S GT3X. It is a hard-core racer built without any concern for regulations since it is not street legal. That fact has also allowed McLaren to really stretch the boundaries of the supercar's capabilities.
The twin-turbocharged V-8 can churn out about 710 hp, way more than the 500 hp output of the 720S GT3, the car on which the GT3X is based. There is also a 'push to pass' system that can temporarily increase this output by 30 hp. There is no shortage of downforce too, thanks to that massive rear wing, an extended splitter, and cleverly positioned dive planes to control airflow around the sides of the car.
9 Aston Martin Vulcan
You begin to sense this is no ordinary machine when you learn that it's named after the Roman god of fire. The Aston Martin Vulcan had its debut at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show and the carmaker would go on to build just 24 examples for carefully selected customers, with one of the cars later converted for road use.
This fire-breathing monster comes loaded with a potent 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that makes 820 hp at 7,750 rpm and 575 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. The lucky owners had to undergo a special training class by professional racing drivers before taking charge of the bonkers machine, capable of rocketing to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds.
8 Pagani Zonda R
Yes, the Pagani Zonda R is a track-only hypercar but is still so savage that there are some racing circuits where it cannot be driven. The project was reportedly initiated at the request of the late Benny Caiola, Horacio Pagani's dear friend, and less than 20 units were ever made with a sticker price of almost $2 million when it debuted back in 2009.
The Zonda R - 'R' for 'Revolucion' - is mostly made of a mix of carbon fiber and titanium leading to a curb weight of just 2,360 pounds. It is powered by an AMG-derived V12 engine that cranks out 750 hp, enough boost to rocket the car to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and on to a 217 mph top speed.
7 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12
In 2020, Lamborghini unveiled the Essenza SCV12, an extreme machine developed for a select few craving the ultimate Lamborghini track experience. The production run is capped at 40 units and each one is fitted with the most powerful version of the Lamborghini V12; a power plant that generates up to 830 hp for a sprint to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.
That engine combines seamlessly with various aerodynamic features and technical evolutions inspired directly from Lamborghini racing prototypes for breathtaking performances out on the tracks. Lamborghini offers the lucky owners the opportunity to store the cars at the company's headquarters in Italy and will also organize track days all through the year where limits of the Essenza SCV12 can be fully exploited.
6 KTM X-Bow
The KTM X-Bow can be driven on public roads in Europe but it's a different story once you cross the Atlantic. American regulators remain unconvinced about the safety features built into what they think is little more than a glorified go-kart with way too much power for its own good.
That's why it's not street legal and can only be driven out at the race tracks where the 237 hp Audi-sourced 2.0-litre engine has enough grunt to propel the car to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
5 McLaren Senna GTR
As far as performances are concerned, the McLaren Senna ranks right up there with the best modern supercars that exist today. Now, imagine that level of performance dialed up by several notches and you've got this one - the McLaren Senna GTR. It uses the same twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in the Senna but the output is now about 814 hp instead of 789 hp.
That massive wing is not just for show and helps the car achieve an incredible 2,200 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. This glues the car to the tracks as it's put through the paces. McLaren says the Senna GTR achieves the fastest McLaren lap times outside of its Formula One cars - there's no reason to doubt them.
4 Donkervoort D8 GTO JD70 R
This hard-core racer will have flown past the 60 mph mark by the time you managed to get its full name out of your mouth. It is as extreme as it gets with a curb weight of only 1,600 pounds backed by a 420 hp 2.5-litre Audi engine.
It's the same unit found in the road-going D8 GTO JD70 but the track-only 'R' variant is faster thanks to a paddle-shift, sequential, six-speed gearbox. The suspension has also been stiffened considerably allowing for high-speed cornering turns that generate more than 2G.
3 Ford GT MK II
The Ford GT MK II costs a whopping $1.2 million and will be restricted to a production run of only 45 units. It retains the same low-slung profile as the 'regular' Ford GT but you'll immediately notice the extras like roof scoop, aggressive rear diffuser, and that gigantic wing.
According to Ford, the aerodynamic package on this car generates over 400 percent more downforce than the road-going Ford GT. It's also shed about 200 pounds in weight, allowing the driver to really feel the limits of the 700 hp V6 power plant around the racing circuit.
2 Brabham BT62
The Brabham BT62 is built around a tubular spaceframe steel chassis and is one of the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engines out there today. It is a 5.4-liter power unit that makes as much as 710 hp and 492 lb-ft of torque.
A curb weight of just over 2,000 pounds means an impressive power-to-weight ratio of about 740 hp/ton which in turn translates to blistering hypercar performance. It's that performance that led to a call for a road-going version and so the Australian carmaker is now offering a road conversion kit for the Brabham BT62 that makes it street-legal in selected markets.
1 Porsche 935
In 2019, Porsche introduced the second-generation 935, a track-only supercar that paid homage to the original 935 that won the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans overall, just one of the many major competitions where it emerged victoriously.
The 2019 Porsche 935 sports a distinctive look that includes an elongated profile, flattened nose, and a lack of traditional headlights. Only 77 units were planned; each one fitted with a twin-turbo flat 6 that makes about 700 hp. It is enough power to blast the car past 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds.