September 30, 2024 | Jack Hawkins

The World's Fastest Luxury Cars


The World's Fastest Luxury Cars

Luxury cars are often most famous for their gorgeous exterior designs and sparkling interiors with heated leather seats, spacious passenger seating, and built-in entertainment systems. Those are just some luxury features in the most opulent vehicles today.

But what about under the hood? Let's examine some of the world's fastest luxury cars, that'll get you where you need to go with style and speed.

Mercedes AMG GT63

The Mercedes AMG GT63 was released in 2021 as a supercar with all of the luxury trappings one would expect from a Mercedes sports car. Offering seating for four, Mercedes wants you to get the whole family in for the thrill ride. It also offers a fantastic 12.7 cubic feet of space, providing enough room to haul the kids' sports bags around and get to the arena in record time. 

The top speed of this super-sedan? A blistering 195 miles per hour. Oh, and it'll do 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds. 

Mercedes-AMG GT 53 at Geneva International Motor ShowMatti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S features an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and a 4.0L V8 engine that produces 620 horsepower. Since the standard model was just not executive-y enough, Porsche released their Executive model, featuring an extra-long wheelbase and more legroom in the back. It also offers 18 cubic feet of cargo space. It's 0 to 60 time? Just 2.6 seconds.

How fast does the Panamera go at its maximum, you ask? 196 miles per hour.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S ExecutiveAlexandre Prévot, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

BMW M3 Edition 50 Jahre

One of the best-selling BMWs ever, the M3 got a significant upgrade in the Edition 50 Jahre, which celebrated 50 years of BMW by releasing a very fast sports car. The five-passenger, four-door sedan gets its power from a 3.0L turbocharged 24-valve inline-six engine, producing 503 horsepower and hitting a stunning top speed of 180 miles per hour

The 2023 BMW M3 Competition Edition 50 Jahre BMW M is a special, limited edition version of the M3.Luxury Fred Sherman, Shutterstock

Mercedes-AMG E63S Sedan

Another 4.0L V8 engine graces this Mercedes E63 Sedan almost as nicely as it graces the road. Pounding out 603 horsepower from a twin-turbo V8, the E63S Sedan is built to get you places quickly. With high-gloss accents, carbon fiber exterior options, adjustable heated seats, and a carbon fiber interior with leather seats, the E63S Sedan is just as nice on the inside as it is under the hood.

Need to go somewhere in a hurry? No worries. The E63S Sedan goes 186 miles per hour and does 0 to 60 in just three seconds

Mercedes AMG E63 S 4MATIC car shown at the Brussels Motor Show.VanderWolf Images, Shutterstock

2021 BMW M5

For the 2021 BMW M5, BMW took a normal 5-series and put it on steroids. From its twin-turbo 4.4L V8, the car growls out 600 horses and does 0 to 60 in just 2.8 seconds. On the inside? A 12.3-inch touchscreen offers you all the bells and whistles, paired with Android Auto. The Competition version of the M5 features a Merino leather color scheme and brake calipers that can be finished with either yellow, black, or red paint.

The standard 2021 BMW M5 will do 163 miles per hour, whereas the Competition version (for those who aren't satisfied with that) will do 189 miles per hour

The New 2021 BMW M5 SedanAutomotive Rhythms, Flickr

2023 BMW M8 Gran Coupe

Another BMW on our list—they make driving in style fun again. None more so than in the M8 Gran Coupe—while there is a convertible version, it's the Gran Coupe that exudes the luxury we look for (although, of course, convertibles are luxurious too, as we'll discover). It provides ample leg room, an increased 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a Merino leather and micro-suede interior upholstery.

Performance? The M8 is powered by a turbocharged V8 that produces 617 horsepower and can reach an astounding top speed of 190 miles per hour. It's also available in a color called "Tanzanite Blue II", so, that's cool. 

BMW M8 Gran Coupe in Marina Bay Blue metallic, 20” wheelsGhostofakina, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

2022 BMW M5 CS

The 2022 BMW M5 CS is one of the premier luxury cars released by BMW's M division in 2022. It looks it, too. On the inside, you're treated to customizable ambient lighting, heated steering wheels, heated front and rear seats, and a power-adjustable steering column. Oh, yes, and the front seats also have massage features built-in. In the back? 14 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk and two bucket seats, rather than the standard bench seating of the normal M5.

When it comes to power and performance, the M5 CS is powered by a twin-turbo V8 that produces 627 horsepower and can reach 60 miles per hour in just 2.6 seconds. It's top speed? 190 miles per hour

BMW M5 CS taken at Goodwood FOS 2022.MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S

This thing is electric! No, seriously, it's electric. This four/five-seater, with power-adjustable technology that moves 18 ways has an electric motor that provides an astonishing 750 horsepower, putting Tesla's "Ludicrous" mode to shame.

It does 0 to 60 in just 2.4 seconds and its breathtaking top speed is 162 miles per hour, which, for an EV in 2020, was pretty impressive.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S ChalkDamian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

2020 Tesla Model S Performance

The Performance package of the 2020 Tesla Model S wasn't to be messed with, putting electric car manufacturers on notice that just because something was electric, doesn't mean it couldn't put out some serious power. Featuring dual motors under the hood and a 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the Model S Performance put out an astonishing 778 horsepower, did 0 to 60 in 2.4 seconds and boasted a top speed of 155 miles per hour.

But how far could you go in one, you ask? Despite all that power, a highly respectable 348 miles on a single charge.

Tesla Model S car on the road.Abu hasim asaru, Shutterstock

2021 Tesla Model S Plaid

The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid takes the Performance parts of the previous year and beats them into submission by being somehow better. Inside? The car features a 17.0-inch touchscreen and a 22-speaker stereo system and acoustic glass, which makes the noise levels almost nil—until you turn on the stereo, of course. 

This Model S has three electric motors that put out an astonishing 1,020 horsepower, and go from 0 to 60 in just 2.1 seconds. It'll also produce a staggering top speed of 203 miles per hour

Electric vehicle Tesla Model S PlaidVeyron Photo, Shutterstock

Ferrari SF90 Stradale

First produced in 2020, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale features three hybrid motors, making it Ferrari's very first plug-in hybrid EV. Impressive for a supercar producer like Ferrari to even begin to look at PHEVs as a way of the future, and to create one without compromising on speed? Very impressive.

More impressive, still, is the SF90 Stradale's top speed of 211 miles per hour.  

Red 2019 Ferrari SF90 StradaleAlexandre Prevot, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder is one of the fastest production cars that Porsche has ever produced—and it has a hybrid powertrain for good measure. Inside, the Porsche 918 Spyder features an all-black leather interior and an all-glass center console that has the exact same functionality as your phone. Connected to your phone via Bluetooth, you can do it all from this center console. 

Its 4.6L V8 engine is capable of producing a mere 599 horsepower without its twin electric motors—add those in and you'll have a car that produces 875 horsepower. The Porsche 918 Spyder's top speed is an insane 213 miles per hour

Porsche 918 SpyderMariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Aston Martin One-77

Ah, Aston Martin—luxury cars are their specialty, right? Correct. Apparently, they've branched out into very fast luxury cars, thanks to the Aston Martin One-77. Only 77 of these limited edition Aston Martins were ever produced. There's a long hood on this bad boy, probably to cover up the massive V12 engine underneath that produces 750 horsepower and has an astonishing top speed of 220 miles per hour.

Aston Martin One-77 BluMrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

2022 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae

The Ultimae represents Lamborghini's latest-and-greatest in the Aventador series. Released in 2022, Lamborghini touted this Aventador as the "most powerful naturally aspirated Lamborghini ever produced". They were not wrong. The mid-engine V12 supercar pushes out 769 horsepower. When you're not being propelled forward by its horses, you can "relax" with its massage seats. But don't try to put, well, anything in it.

Luckily, you don't have a Lamborghini to put things in it, except for yourself and a thrill-seeking passenger. The top speed of this absolute beast is 221 miles per hour.

2023 L2022 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 UltimaeJust dance, Shutterstock

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50

Gordon Murray is the brains behind the design of the McLaren F1, which set speed records of 240 miles per hour in 1998, thanks to the V12 from BMW and a carbon fiber build. Gordon's gone out on his own with the T.50, another V12 powerhouse that's built by Cosworth and can produce 654 horsepower

The top speed? 226 miles per hour, but there's not much else by way of flashy additions—its simplicity is its strength.

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50Andrew Basterfield, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pagani Huayra

It would take a lot of car to succeed and surpass the almost mythically fast Pagani Zonda. Well, Pagani have managed it with the Huayra—named after the Quechua word for "wind god", the Huayra certainly moves like it. It's aided by a Mercedes-sourced V12 twin-turbo engine putting out 720 horsepower allowing you to sail from 0 to 60 in just 2.8 seconds.

The speed? Like the wind, of course. You're able to hit a maximum of 238 miles per hour in this environmentally-inspired land beast.

Pagani Huayra At Legendy 2018Jiří Sedláček, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pagani Huayra BC Roadster

Pagani weren't done with their new chiropractic appointment on wheels, though. They released the Huayra BC Roadster, made almost entirely of carbon fiber woven with titanium and now with a convertible option—for when you wanted to feel the wind ripping your face off at 200 miles an hour. I mean, flowing gently through your hair.

Power went up from 720 horsepower in the base Huayra to a stunning 791 horsepower in the BC Roadster, pushing it to a spine-bending 240 miles per hour

Pagani Huayra BC RoadsterBryan S, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

McLaren F1

Ah, the "old" McLaren F1. The OG supercar of speed. It broke the top speed record for production cars in 1998 (!) using a 6.1L V12 engine from BMW. It does 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and 0 to 100 in 6.3 seconds. Its naturally aspirated engine broke the speed record set by the Jaguar XJ220 in 1993 (218 mph), besting it by 22 mph to hit an astonishing 240.1 miles per hour—for the late '90s, this was one of the greatest automotive achievements ever. 

1996 Mclaren F1 Chassis No 63Chelsea Jay, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

Steve Saleen, owner of Saleen Automotive, thought he might build a challenger to the Bugatti Veyron back in 2000. The Saleen S7 Twin Turbo was the result of his efforts—a true American supercar. The entire body is made from carbon fiber, utilizing various scoops and spoilers to create aerodynamics. This car comes with two trunks, due to its mid-engine design. There's even custom-made luggage to go with it.

Under the hood, a 7.0L, twin-turbo Ford 351 engine puts out 750 horsepower and can reach crazy top speeds of 248 miles per hour.

Saleen S7 Twin TurboKarrmann, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Koenigsegg CCXR

You're not going to believe this, but the CCXR was developed by Koenigsegg to be an "environmentally-friendly" supercar. Now, if that sounds like an oxymoron, we don't blame you for thinking so. Its engine was converted to burn E85 and E100 Ethanol, rather than just pure petroleum and still produces staggering power figures like 1,018 horsepower

Despite this environmentally-friendly approach to fuel consumption, the Koenigsegg CCXR doesn't compromise anything in terms of power output—its top speed is still an amazing 249 miles per hour.

Koenigsegg CCX at Geneva Motorshow 2018Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Koenigsegg Gemera

Sweden's second entry on our list is their Gemera supercar, a plug-in hybrid developed by Koenigsegg in 2020. The two-door Gemera features two bucket seats behind both driver and passenger, with a yellow/black or brown/black interior that's got memory foam seats, entertainment screens with Apple CarPlay compatibility, and eight cup holders—four chilled and four heated, giving you the best of both worlds. 

For performance, the Gemera does 0 to 60 in 1.9 seconds and boasts an incredible top speed of 249 miles per hour.

A Koenigsegg Gemera taken at the Goodwood FOS 2022.MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Tesla Roadster

This three-motor Tesla coupe is part of what brought Elon Musk to the dance. It's got a 200 kwh battery pack that will get you 620 miles before needing to recharge, and produces 1000 horsepower, which will get you from 0 to 60 in 1.1 seconds.

The top speed? A stunning 254 miles per hour.

Electric Blue Tesla Roadster FrontBrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Aston Martin Valkyrie

This mid-engine Aston Martin is what happens when Red Bull and Aston get together: They create an awesome, power-crazy car. The Valkyrie sports a 6.5L Cosworth V12 engine that produces a staggering 1,160 horsepower, propelling you from 0 to 60 in just 2.3 seconds.

For a top speed, the Valkyrie maxes out at 250 miles per hour. Take it to the track, put on "Flight of The Valkyries" and drive.

Aston Martin Valkyrie Verification PrototypeAlexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

McLaren Speedtail

The Speedtail by McLaren is made of carbon fiber and offers a hybrid engine build, featuring a twin-turbo V8 engine producing an astonishing 746 horsepower and taking you from 0 to 60 in just 2.9 seconds. Further cutting down on the weight, McLaren eliminated the need for sun visors with electrochromic glass that darkens at the push of a button. Additionally, it doesn't have a wing mirror, but HD cameras that retract when the car is in "Velocity mode", reducing drag.

Seemingly every small design decision was made to accommodate a 250 miles per hour top speed.

2019 Mclaren Speedtailel.guy08_11, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Czinger 21C V Max

Czinger Vehicles is a relatively new American manufacturer out of Los Angeles, California, designing hybrid vehicles. Its contribution to the "Fastest Luxury Car" list is the Czinger 21C V Max—the car that's almost entirely 3D printed. That's right. 3D printed. The only things that aren't 3D printed on this marvel are the wheels, the carbon fiber body panels, the leather and fabric of the interior, and the powertrain. So, quite a bit, but the fact that we're even discussing 3D printing entire car parts is pretty cool.

Anyway, the 3D printed 21C V Max will do 253 miles per hour, pushing that power out of a 2.88L V8, delivering 1,250 horsepower to all four wheels. 

Czinger 21C V MaxCalreyn88, Wikimedia Commons

SSC Ultimate Aero TT

Let's go all the way back to 2007 for this special supercar made by SSC North America, otherwise known as Shelby SuperCars Inc. The SSC Ultimate Aero was, in fact, the very first car that SSC NA produced, releasing it in 2007 and immediately hauling it into the Guinness Book of World Records, with an astonishing top speed of 256.1 miles per hour.

SSC Ultimate Aero TTNate Hawbaker, Wikimedia Commons

Rimac Nevera

The Nevera is an electric car produced by Croatian automaker Rimac. Released in August of 2021 and shipped to the US in June of 2023, the Nevera has a staggering range of 402 miles on a single charge, and recharges to 80% from empty (if connected to a fast charger) in just 30 minutes. In a nod to Richard Hammond, the Rimac Nevera has a fire extinguisher in the back embossed with the words: "In case of hill climb, extinguish fire".

The performance of this humorous car comes from its four liquid-cooled electric motors, capable of producing 1,888 horsepower, propelling it from 0 to 60 in just 1.7 seconds and hitting a seemingly-impossible top speed of 256 miles per hour.

Rimac Nevera In Bridgehampton, Front RightMr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bugatti Mistral

It was 2005 when Bugatti released the quad-turbo W-16 engine that produced 1,000 horsepower without even breaking a sweat. Now, 20 years later, the Bugatti Mistral (and almost any other Bugatti out there) was built to set records. The Mistral features an 8.0L version of the W-16 engine producing 1,578 horsepower, taking you from 0 to 60 in just 2.4 seconds.

The Mistral's reported top speed (production began last year on the car) is 261 miles per hour.

Bugatti Mistral At Quail 2023Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Here's another car built just to break a record: the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Its top speed is 267 miles per hour, achieved from the same quad turbo-charged W-16 engine, producing 1,183 horsepower. Here's a fun fact: The car is electronically limited to just 258 miles per hour to protect the tires from disintegrating. Yeah. That's fast.

Bugatti Veyron Supersport 16.4Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hennessey Venom GT

But not as fast, reportedly, as the Hennessey Venom GT. Another American supercar, this time built by John Hennessey and based on the Lotus Elise and Exige. Hennessey's supercar outfit was founded in 1991, but is most famous for producing the Venom GT and F5 hypercars. The latter of which, the Venom GT, unofficially broke the record for the fastest car from 0 to186 mph, doing it in just 13.63 seconds, as well as the record for the fastest car from 0 to 200 mph, doing that in just 14.51 seconds.

And, unofficially, it broke the speed record set by the Veyron Super Sport, at a stunning 270.49 miles per hour. However, as the run was only in one direction and only 29 of these cars were built, Guinness World Records did not certify the speed—it requires that the run be in both directions and that 30 cars be built of a specific vehicle to certify any speed record. 

Hennessey Venom GtAxion23, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Koenigsegg Agera RS

The Swedes are at it again, this time with the Agera RS. Released in 2010 and ceasing production in 2018, the Agera RS has quite the legacy to hold onto. It was the successor to the CCX and CCXR from Koenigsegg and more than filled their shoes.

Sporting a 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine capable of producing 1,160 horsepower, the Agera RS broke the record for the world's fastest production car in 2017, reaching a staggering 278 miles per hour. In a straight line? It went 285 miles per hour. The Arizona desert, here we come.

Koenigsegg Agera RsBryan S, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

SSC Tuatara

Another entry for Shelby SuperCars Inc is the Tuatara, designed as the successor to the ultra-fast Ultimate Aero TT. Though production of the SSC Tuatara has been limited to only 100 cars, it's easy to see why: The gorgeously sleek rear-mid engine car with butterfly doors can't be easily reproduced, particularly when you consider it's built for speed.

It's powered by a 5.9L twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 1,750 horsepower when using E85 flex fuel or 1,350 horsepower when using 91 percent octane. The luxurious leather and suede upholstery is an indication of no expense spared, along with the HD camera system used instead of rear-view mirrors.

The speed demon Tuatara is astonishingly fast: 282.9 miles per hour

Ssc Tuatara Bleue (Avant)WikiGenesis, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hennessey Venom F5

Another American supercar that catches speedy headlines is the Hennessey Venom F5. It took the achievement of its predecessor and superseded it by a long way. Reaching a claimed (but uncertified) top speed of 311 miles per hour, the F5 lived up to its namesake: the tornado classification that has wind speeds of between 261 and 418 miles per hour.

2022 Hennessey Venom F5MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bugatti Bolide

The track racing car from Bugatti, known as the Bolide, sees the end of an era: It's their final car produced using four turbochargers and an 8.0L W16 engine. It puts out 1,825 horsepower, pushing 0 to 60 in 2.2 seconds and accomplishing an earth-shattering (uncertified) top speed of 311 miles per hour.  

Bugatti Bolide Extreme HypercarRon Frazier, Flickr

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport

Of course, Bugatti claims the top spot in the certified list of insanely fast production cars—the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. Producing 1,600 horsepower, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport made it round the Ehra-Lessien track, topping out at 304 miles per hour to claim top spot in our list of the world's fastest luxury cars.

Bugatti Chiron Super SportAutomotive Rhythms, Flickr

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut

But, there's one more twist: the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut. This hybrid hypercar can reach speeds of 278 miles per hour on a good day, with its standard version. However, the modified version, featuring engine and body modifications to reduce drag while still running on E85 biofuel, is claimed to be able to reach 330 miles per hour. Koenigsegg is expected to make a run at the world record held by the Chiron Super Sport later this year.

Koenigsegg Jesko AbsolutMatti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

DeadMau5's Ferrari Lawsuit

Canadian DJ Deadmau5 used to own a Ferrari 458 Spyder—we say "used to" because he sold it after being sued by Ferrari for wrapping his car with his logo and other blue psychedelic patterns and posting pictures of it online. Such was Ferrari's chagrin at what he had done to the car, that they threatened to sue him for making a mockery of their brand. He was told to remove the livery from the vehicle, or else they'd sue.

The DJ did remove the decorative wrap and sold the 458 Spyder shortly thereafter. The lesson? Don't do funky stuff to your Ferrari that they feel diminishes the distinguished image of the Prancing Horse, or else...

Deadmau5 Ferrari 458 in London on the Gumball 3000 grid!Niklas Emmerich Photography, Flickr


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