Hypercars Competing for the 300 MPH Title

Key Takeaways

• Four hypercars are in contention for breaking the 300 mph barrier.
• Bugatti’s 304 mph record with the Chiron was achieved using a modified prototype rather than a production vehicle.
• At least two attempts might occur before the end of 2024.

Since the dawn of the automobile, achieving higher speeds has been a primary objective for car manufacturers. As sanctioned speed records became established, automakers eagerly joined the competition to claim the title of the fastest production car. Recently, this quest for speed has primarily unfolded in the realm of hypercars, which are high-tech supercars utilizing cutting-edge mechanical technology.

After a period of stagnation in top speed records when the McLaren F1 was at the forefront, the Bugatti Veyron ushered in a new era for hypercars by exceeding 250 mph, setting the stage for even higher speeds. The next significant milestone is the elusive 300 mph mark, and several contenders have emerged in the race to reach this goal.

Hennessey Venom F5

Simulated Top Speed: 328 MPH

Since the debut of the Venom F5 hypercar, Hennessey has positioned itself as a strong competitor aiming to break the 300 mph threshold in a production car. Founder John Hennessey has been clear about the company’s ambitions, revealing plans to attempt a record-breaking run in both directions. Achieving a verified record would differentiate Hennessey from Bugatti, which reached the 300 mph mark with a non-production prototype in a single direction.

The Venom F5 features a potent 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 that generates 1,817 horsepower, complemented by a seven-speed single-clutch semi-automated transmission. Thanks to its lightweight carbon fiber structure and aerodynamic design, the Venom F5 theoretically has the capability to surpass the 300 mph mark, though it has yet to do so. It has easily exceeded 200 mph and recently set a new half-mile record of 221.92 mph, but the 300 mph challenge is expected to take place, at the earliest, later this year.

What Hennessey Says About The Venom F5’s Top Speed

John Hennessey is optimistic about achieving the 300 mph mark and believes that the Venom F5 has the potential to exceed that speed.

“I think in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation software), at the power level that we’re at, it’s 328 miles per hour.”

– John Hennessey, founder and CEO of Hennessey Performance Vehicles

In a conversation with CarBuzz, Hennessey expressed the intent to average 300 mph across two runs, while also striving for a single-direction speed exceeding 500 km/h (310.686 mph).

“A two-way average north of 300 mph [is the goal], but if we can hit 500 km/h (310.686 mph) in one direction, that would be kind of cool.”

Bugatti Tourbillon

Simulated Top Speed: Unknown

Bugatti has a long history of setting top speed records, initially with the Veyron and later with the Veyron Super Sport. Although former CEO Stephan Winkelmann indicated that Bugatti would not pursue speed records with the Chiron, a modified prototype managed to exceed 300 mph, reaching 304 mph. This event led to the creation of the special edition Chiron Super Sport 300+. However, the debate continues about who will be the first to break the 300 mph barrier, as the Chiron’s achievement was with a modified prototype, not a production vehicle, and only in a single direction.

Now, with the Chiron out of production, Bugatti has unveiled a new contender: the Tourbillon. The car’s design has been characterized by Bugatti as “shaped by speed,” indicating the brand’s aim for peak performance with this model. The Tourbillon marks the first Bugatti in over 20 years that does not rely on a W16 engine; instead, it features an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 combined with three electric motors in a hybrid configuration. The overall power output is around 1,800 hp, with approximately 1,000 hp from the combustion engine and 800 hp from the electric units. However, it’s important to note that customer versions of the Tourbillon are electronically limited to a top speed of 276 mph.

What Bugatti Says About A 300-MPH Attempt

Despite the Tourbillon being electronically capped at 276 mph, its speedometer indicates a maximum of 342 mph (550 km/h). Although we may not naively assume it can reach that limit, Bugatti is unlikely to have displayed such a high figure if it weren’t achievable. Following the Tourbillon unveiling, CEO Mate Rimac confirmed in an interview with Top Gear that more developments are on the horizon, though he refrained from disclosing specific simulated speeds.

“Let’s say, there’s more in it […] Bugatti is all about pushing the limits. Let’s See.”

– Mate Rimac, Bugatti CEO

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut

Simulated Top Speed: 330.5 MPH

As a key player in the hypercar market, Koenigsegg is setting its sights on the 300 mph target with the speed-optimized version of the Jesko, known as the Absolut. CEO Christian von Koenigsegg has announced plans to attempt a new top-speed record later this year, utilizing a customer-spec vehicle and taking both direction measurements, unlike Bugatti’s earlier attempt. The only hurdle currently facing Koenigsegg is tire certification.

The successor to the Agera, the Jesko was initially revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, named after Jesko von Koenigsegg, the founder’s father. While the standard version of the car is dubbed the Attack, the Absolut variant will be used for the record attempt due to its low-drag architecture; it features two rear fins instead of a rear wing and omits the aerodynamic elements found in the Attack variant. With its incredible power and sleek design (0.278 Cd drag coefficient), von Koenigsegg stated that CFD simulations indicate a potential top speed of 330.5 mph.

What Koenigsegg Has To Say About The Race To 300 mph

While Koenigsegg has not publicly identified a specific location for its record attempt, the intention is to achieve the feat before the end of 2024. Importantly, Christian von Koenigsegg emphasizes that the record will be set with a production car, setting his company apart from some competitors.

“Bugatti has only driven in one direction and with a car in a specification that customers cannot buy. Even SSC’s record is set with a car that is not homologated for road use. Our record with the Koenigsegg Agera was achieved with a production car, and the upcoming record attempt will similarly utilize a series-produced Jesko fully approved for street use.”

– Christian von Koenigsegg, Founder and CEO of Koenigsegg

SSC Tuatara

Recorded Top Speed: 295 mph

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) is also in the race with their hypercar, the Tuatara, which boasts a staggering power output of 1,350 hp when using regular fuel and up to 1,750 hp on E85. Named after a New Zealand reptile recognized for its rapid evolutionary changes, the Tuatara was first introduced as a concept at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with the production version launched seven years later. Its design incorporates elements from the aviation sector, featuring streamlined lines and an aerodynamic form.

Where SSC’s 300-mph Run Went Wrong

In 2020, an initial attempt garnered attention when SSC claimed to have surpassed 330 mph in a single direction on the same Nevada highway where the Koenigsegg Agera RS had set the previous record. However, it was later revealed that the Tuatara had not even reached 331 mph and hadn’t hit 300 mph at all. The inconsistency between the claimed and actual speeds resulted from erroneous calculations. Despite the setback, CEO Jarrod Shelby vowed to pursue another attempt at the landmark speed.

A subsequent effort in 2022 saw the Tuatara achieving an officially validated top speed of 295 mph with a customer behind the wheel. Since then, there have been no further attempts to reach 300 mph, but Shelby’s commitment after the initial controversy suggests that SSC is determined to make another try. As such, it is too early to count out this lesser-known American hypercar brand from making a comeback.