Speed has always been a coveted metric in the car world. Enthusiasts and near-obsessed gearheads continue to be captivated by the thrill of pushing vehicles to their top-end limits. Consequently, demand for “road rockets” is on an ever-rising trajectory.
Automobile companies are only too happy to oblige, churning out countless models that continue to redefine the notion of performance and outright speed, helped along by the continuous evolution of automotive engineering and cutting-edge technology.
But today’s fast cars are not just about raw power. They are a testament to human ingenuity blended with space-age aerodynamics, advanced materials, and sophisticated electronics.
Here, we spotlight ten of the fastest cars on the market today, in no particular order. The focus is on series-production vehicles, the types that one can buy from a dealer showroom without necessarily having to jump through hoops or commission as a bespoke build. For that reason, limited-series cars or one-offs do not make the cut, here. Hypercars are also excluded; they deserve a separate write-up.
Lucid Air Sapphire: 205 mph (330 km/h)
Powertrain: One permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, front;
two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors, rear
Output: 1,234 horsepower, 1,430 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: CDN$325,000 (US$235,000)
Some years ago, it would have seemed ridiculous to kick off a “fastest cars” list with a four-door family sedan. Not anymore, thanks to quantum leaps in automotive technology. The Air Sapphire is the flagship vehicle of Lucid Motors, a company headed by former Tesla chief vehicle engineer Peter Rawlinson.
The Air Sapphire is a proper family vehicle — four doors, generous cargo space, and room for five fully grown adults. It also weighs 5,345 lbs (2,424 kg). Yet this EV boasts the kind of performance that will shame many modern supercars, and we are not just talking about its blistering acceleration, a characteristic shared by most electric vehicles.
The Lucid Air Sapphire is powered by a bank of three electric motors that put out over 1,000 hp, enough power for a top speed north of 200 mph (321 km/h). That’s enough to keep pace with a Ferrari 296 GTB.
McLaren 750S: 206 mph (332 km/h)
Powertrain: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, rear-wheel-drive
Output: 740 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: From CDN$398,280 to CDN$429,880 (US$289,000 to US$312,000)
The McLaren 750S was introduced in 2023 as a replacement for the now-discontinued 720S supercar. It was a significant improvement over what was already a fantastic performance platform. The 750S shares obvious physical similarities with its predecessor, but McLaren claims that up to 30% of the car is new or revised, leading to notable performance improvements.
The 750S debuted as McLaren’s lightest and most powerful series-production car ever, with 740 hp on tap courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 mated to a crisp seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. In the right hands, the rear-wheel-drive supercar will rocket to 60 mph (96 km/h) from zero in just 2.3 seconds, and, if the road is long enough, will continue accelerating until it maxes out at 206 mph.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: 199 mph (320 km/h)
Powertrain: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid;
single permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor,
all-wheel-drive with front-axle disconnect
Output: 603 horsepower, 627 lb-ft of torque from V8;
total 805 horsepower, 1,047 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: Approx. CDN$275,500 (US$200,000)
Starting from dead rest, this Mercedes-AMG will probably be past the 100-mph (160-km/h) mark by the time you’re able to wrap your tongue around the entirety of its nameplate. At its heart is a V8 that makes just over 600 hp, more than adequate for some spirited driving. Apparently, that was not enough for the engineers at Mercedes-AMG, though, so they tacked on a 201-hp electric motor for some extra oomph.
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE Performance weighs almost 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). That’s a lot for a two-door sports car, but the extra bulk is easily handled by all the power within its frame. The weight would be the last thing on your mind as the car rockets to its top speed with surprising ease.
Ferrari 12Cilindri: 211 mph (340 km/h)
Powertrain: 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, rear-wheel-drive
Output: 819 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: CDN$554,439 (US$402,447)
Ferrari’s 12Cilindri grand tourer continues the carmaker’s long-standing V12 tradition. There are no fancy hybrid setups, here. The 12Cilindri is driven by raw, unadulterated power from a naturally aspirated powerplant that generates over 800 ponies.
The Italian manufacturer describes the high-performance car as the most complete GT it has ever made. It boasts Ferrari’s most classic packaging arrangement: a V12 engine up front, seating for two, and rear-wheel-drive. The 12Cilindri, a design nod to the 365GTB/4 Daytona, is perfect for long leisurely drives, but can also dial things up when needed, instantly transforming into a thoroughbred supercar with impressive acceleration and class-leading top-end speed.
Tesla Model S Plaid: 200 mph (321 km/h)
Powertrain: three permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors, all-wheel-drive
Output: 1,020 horsepower, 1,050 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: CDN$124,990 (US$90,700)
This high-performance electric sedan set the car community alight with mind-numbing acceleration that made it one of the quickest cars ever made, supercar or not. However, it was not long before tongues started wagging about the Tesla Model S Plaid being nothing more than a one-trick pony, only able to strut its stuff on the drag strip.
Tesla responded by releasing a Track Package that unlocks the true capabilities of the Model S Plaid. Among other things, the package includes a new set of carbon-ceramic brakes and firmware updates that now take the sedan to a 200-mph top speed. It is performance that elevates the Model S Plaid, allowing it to keep pace with the best cars in its class.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: 233 mph (373 km/h)
Powertrain: 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, rear-wheel-drive
Horsepower/Torque: 1,064 horsepower, 828 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: Est. CDN$250,000-plus (US$181,000)
There’s been a lot of buzz about the upcoming 2025 Corvette ZR1, and for good reason. After all, it’s billed as the most powerful production Corvette ever, with over 1,000 hp. While initially teased with an estimated 346-km/h (215-mph) top speed, Chevrolet mid-October 2024 revealed it’d managed to take a stock example all the way up to 373 km/h (233 mph) during testing.
Chevrolet took a big gamble by switching to a mid-engine layout from a front-engine setup, and it’s one that’s paid off massively, with the Corvette now regarded as a proper supercar. The current ZR1, and even its lesser Z06 sibling, is proof of that. Both cars boast a flat-plane crank V8 that revs to 8,500 rpm – the ZR1 just adds two turbos to the Z06’s mill – and enough power to push the car to record-setting speeds.
Porsche 911 (992.2) Turbo S: 205 mph (330 km/h)
Powertrain: 3.7-litre twin-turbo flat-six, all-wheel-drive
Output: 640 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: CDN$263,600 (US$191,338)
The Porsche 911 is arguably one of the most iconic performance cars ever made. It’s been around for over six decades and eight generations with no signs of slowing down. The current iteration of the 911 Turbo S is one of Porsche’s most powerful 911 variants ever.
Packed within a familiar profile is Porsche’s trusty flat-six, aided by turbochargers to deliver 640 ponies. That power is complemented by Porsche’s top-notch engineering, creating a road-rocket that will not only hit 60 mph in 2.3 seconds, but is also capable of a 205-mph top speed. That’s about as rapid as most rivals in its class.
BMW M8 Competition: 190 mph (306 km/h)
Powertrain: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8,
all-wheel-drive with front-axle disconnect
Output: 617 horsepower, 553 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: From CDN$177,082 (US$128,500)
Few cars combine luxury and speed like BMW’s M8. Available as a coupe or convertible, the M8 treats its occupants to an overload of rich leather, cutting-edge technology, and a premium infotainment system.
It’s a luxury grand tourer at heart, one that can glide almost effortlessly through busy city streets. However, its powerful engine and advanced driving technologies mean it can also transform into a hardcore speed monster in a heartbeat, making a mockery of its 4,560-lb (2,068-kg) curb weight. The M8 Competition’s unrestricted 190-mph top speed is an impressive feat for a luxury sports car of its size and weight.
Aston Martin DB12: 202 mph (325 km/h)
Powertrain: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, rear-wheel-drive
Output: 671 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque
MSRP: CDN$281,800 to CDN$304,800 (US$204,500 to US$221,200)
The Aston Martin DB12 was launched in May 2023 as a replacement for the DB11 model. The stunning grand tourer blends classic British elegance with modern performance.
Under the hood is a potent twin-turbocharged mill that churns out about 670 hp, at least 40 hp more than the most powerful DB11 variant. It’s enough for some blistering on-road performance despite the car’s reputation as more of a gentleman’s daily cruiser. Inside, the luxurious and opulent interior provides an unparalleled level of comfort, even when the vehicle is being pushed to its limits.
Lamborghini Revuelto: 217 mph (350 km/h)
Powertrain: 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12;
three AC motors;
all-wheel-drive
Output: 815 horsepower, 535 lb-ft of torque from V12;
total 1,001 horsepower
MSRP: CDN$699,394 (US$507,670)
The formidable Revuelto is Lamborghini’s new flagship, a supercar that replaced the long-running Aventador. With the Revuelto, Lamborghini decided to dial things up by a few notches, pairing a monstrous V12 engine with three electric motors. The result is a highly potent hybrid setup, generating about 1,000 hp.
The Revuelto’s hybrid technology also enables it to offer different driving modes, prioritizing performance, efficiency, or a combination of both. The car can even travel for short distances in electric-only mode with zero emissions. However, the real party trick happens when the electric motors team up with the 6.5-litre V12, supplying enough power to rocket the 3,900-lb supercar to speeds well north of 200 mph.
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