While top speed figures often grab headlines, for most drivers and car enthusiasts, the true measure of a vehicle’s performance lies in its acceleration. The 0-60 mph (or 0-62 mph) sprint is the gold standard, instantly revealing which cars are genuinely rapid and which are merely quick. In an era where electric power is reshaping the automotive landscape, we’re witnessing incredible advancements in acceleration capabilities, yet traditional combustion engines still hold their ground in this thrilling race.
This article delves into the world of blistering speed to answer the burning question: “What car has the quickest 0-60?” We’ve compiled a list of the fastest accelerating cars money can buy, based on manufacturer-claimed 0-62mph times. It’s important to remember that real-world conditions like track surface, weather, and driver skill can influence these figures, and manufacturers’ measurements can vary in optimism. While a definitive head-to-head on a perfect runway would be ideal, this list provides the most accurate snapshot of the current acceleration kings in the automotive world.
The Fastest Accelerating Cars in the World: Ranked
Here are the cars that dominate the 0-60 mph (or 0-62 mph) benchmark, according to official manufacturer claims, presented in ascending order of their incredible speed.
Radical RXC GT – 2.7 seconds (0-60mph)
Radical lives up to its name, producing truly radical machines. The RXC GT stands out as perhaps the most extreme, embodying prototype race car DNA derived from Radical’s Le Mans SR9 project. Generating a staggering 900kg of downforce, it’s almost unbelievable that this car is road legal.
Porsche 911 Turbo S (with Sport Chrono package) – 2.7 seconds (0-62mph)
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Porsche 911 Turbo is far from slowing down. The latest Turbo S, equipped with the Sport Chrono package, achieves a blistering 0-62mph time of 2.7 seconds. This makes even the formidable 911 GT3 RS, with its 3.2-second time, seem comparatively leisurely off the line.
Nio EP9 – 2.7 seconds (0-62mph)
While Chinese brands are becoming synonymous with affordable electric vehicles, the Nio EP9 is a striking exception. This £1 million, 1,341bhp hypercar offers extreme performance. Surprisingly practical, Nio claims a range of up to 265 miles and compatibility with their battery-swapping service, making this hypercar potentially daily-driveable for the truly daring.
Hennessey Venom F5 – 2.6 seconds (0-60mph)
Hennessey, a renowned name in American supercars, built its reputation on creating monstrously powerful modified versions of performance cars. The Venom F5 embodies this expertise, packing a V8 engine delivering 1,792bhp. Weighing less than a BMW 3 Series, the F5 is engineered for both road and track dominance, with a claimed 311mph top speed that could solidify its place as the world’s fastest road car.
Aston Martin Valhalla – 2.5 seconds (0-62mph)
Aston Martin’s Valhalla, a Norse-named slice of automotive heaven, is set to reach customers from mid-2025. This 1064bhp marvel is powered by a revised Mercedes V8, also found in other Aston models. Limited to 999 units and priced at £850,000, the Valhalla boasts a 217mph top speed and generates 600kg of downforce at 150mph.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale – 2.5 seconds (0-62mph)
Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid, the SF90 Stradale, brilliantly merges combustion and electric power, a common trend in modern hypercars. The SF90 challenges the notion that “there’s no replacement for displacement,” accelerating from 0-60mph 0.4 seconds faster than the V12-powered 812 Superfast, despite having four fewer cylinders.
Koenigsegg Jesko – 2.5 seconds (0-60mph)
The Koenigsegg Jesko’s impressive 0-60mph time is almost a side effect of its pursuit of ultimate top speed. Powered by a ferocious 1,600bhp twin-turbocharged V8, this rear-wheel-drive hypercar recently broke the 0-249mph world record in 27.83 seconds. Koenigsegg aims to push the Jesko to a staggering 350mph.
Lamborghini Revuelto – 2.5 seconds (0-62mph)
The Revuelto marks Lamborghini’s entry into plug-in hybrid territory. Purists need not worry; the three electric motors are paired with a thunderous 6.5-liter V12. This explosive combination produces 1,001bhp, making the Revuelto the most powerful Lamborghini ever created.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport – 2.4 seconds (0-62mph)
Bugatti is maximizing its iconic 8.0-litre W12 engine to fend off the rising tide of all-electric hypercar rivals. The Chiron Super Sport is among the fastest cars Bugatti has ever built. Evolved from the 304mph record-breaking 300+ model, the Super Sport delivers an astonishing 1,578bhp and 1,600Nm of torque. While it may lack the extreme styling of the limited-run Divo, its raw power is undeniable.
Ultima RS LT5 – 2.3 seconds (0-60mph)
Never underestimate Ultima. This small British firm uses Chevrolet’s LS V8 engines, and the LT5 version is tuned to a massive 1,200bhp in a car weighing only 930kg. The Evolution Coupe, Ultima’s “most sophisticated model ever,” adds suspension and chassis improvements, a composite body, and 1,020bhp, creating another road-legal track weapon.
Tesla Model S Plaid – 1.98 seconds (0-60mph)
Elon Musk claimed the Tesla Model S Plaid as the first production car to break the two-second 0-60mph barrier with a 1.98-second time. This figure requires battery and motor pre-conditioning and was achieved on a prepared drag strip with a one-foot rollout. Even without these measures, the Plaid is rumored to hit 60mph in under 2.3 seconds thanks to its 1,006bhp electric powertrain.
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach Package – 2.2 seconds (0-62mph)
Incredibly, you can now buy a four-door, four-seat luxury car capable of 0-62mph in 2.2 seconds. The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package, priced at £186,000, is that car. This zero-emission EV boasts 1019bhp, a 190mph top speed, and a 345-mile range, proving practicality and extreme performance can coexist.
Ferrari F80 – 2.15 seconds (0-62mph)
The Ferrari F80 joins Ferrari’s prestigious hypercar lineage, alongside the LaFerrari and Enzo. This technical marvel features a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine, enhanced by a Formula 1-inspired hybrid system boosting power to 1,183bhp. Limited to 799 units and priced at £3.1 million, the F80 achieves 0-62mph in 2.15 seconds and a 217mph top speed, engineered to evoke the sound of a “baby” V12.
Bugatti Tourbillon – 2.0 seconds (0-62mph)
Bugatti’s answer to “how do we surpass the Chiron?” is the Tourbillon. This new model embraces hybrid power, but also replaces the W16 engine with a sensational naturally aspirated V16. The powertrain delivers 1,774bhp, launching the Tourbillon to 62mph in 2.0 seconds and a projected 275mph top speed. While not as fast as the Chiron Super Sport 300+, the Tourbillon offers up to 27 miles of electric-only driving.
Pininfarina Battista – 1.9 seconds (0-62mph)
While the Model S Plaid boasts four-digit horsepower, the Pininfarina Battista nearly doubles it with an astounding 1,873bhp powertrain and 2,300Nm of torque. Acceleration to 62mph takes just 1.9 seconds. In the time it takes a family SUV to reach 62mph, the Battista is travelling at three times that speed. Unlike the tri-motor Tesla, the Battista uses four motors for unparalleled acceleration.
Koenigsegg Gemera – 1.9 seconds (0-62mph)
Koenigsegg has achieved the seemingly impossible: a three-cylinder engine producing 1,400bhp and 1,850Nm. The Gemera’s 2.0-litre PHEV powertrain, dubbed the “Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG),” lives up to its name. For those who prefer displacement, a “hot” V8 hybrid version is also in development, promising up to 2,300bhp and 2,750Nm of torque.
Pininfarina B95 – 1.9 seconds (0-62mph)
For those finding the Battista too “sensible,” there’s the Pininfarina B95. This open “barchetta” roadster is essentially a Battista stripped of non-essentials, including the windscreen. This raw, exhilarating, road-legal hypercar produces 1,876bhp from its four electric motors, achieving 0-62mph in 1.9 seconds and a 222mph top speed. Despite the open-air experience, Pininfarina claims a 296-mile range and 25-minute fast charging from 20% to 80%.
Lucid Air Sapphire – 1.89 seconds (0-60mph)
Lucid, a relative newcomer in performance EVs, has surpassed established brands with the Air Sapphire saloon. Its triple electric motor setup propels it to 60mph in just 1.89 seconds, placing it just behind the Rimac Nevera. This level of acceleration in a comfortable family car is truly remarkable.
Rimac Nevera – 1.85 seconds (0-60mph)
The 1,888bhp Rimac Nevera is the latest hypercar from the Croatian manufacturer, and its 1.85-second 0-60mph time confirms its performance credentials. Sharing its platform and powertrain technology with the Pininfarina Battista, the Nevera reaches a top speed of 258mph, making it one of the fastest EVs ever. With only its second bespoke model, Rimac has set a high benchmark.
Aspark Owl – 1.72 seconds (0-60mph)
Like its avian namesake, the Aspark Owl “flies” when you accelerate. Producing 1,984bhp from four electric motors, the Owl claims a 258mph top speed. This makes it one of the world’s fastest road-legal EVs and possibly the fastest car many have never heard of.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 – 1.66 seconds (0-60mph)
Amidst a list dominated by high-tech electric hypercars, Dodge proves that petrol power still has incredible potential. As the era of the Hemi V8 nears its end, the 1,025bhp Challenger SRT Demon 170 is a fittingly fast farewell. Optimized for the drag strip with a 3.0-litre supercharger and requiring an 85 per cent ethanol fuel mix for peak performance, it achieves 0-60mph in a staggering 1.66 seconds and an 8.91-second quarter-mile time.
Fastest Accelerating Cars: Full List
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Future Cars to Watch
The pursuit of speed is relentless, with each year bringing new contenders vying for the top spot in performance. Here are some future cars that could potentially shake up this list:
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Alfa Romeo is making a highly anticipated return to the supercar arena with the 33 Stradale. This modern interpretation of Alfa’s classic racer is expected to share the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine from the Maserati MC20 and is projected to reach a top speed of 207mph.
Lotus Evija
The Lotus Evija boasts a striking design and a colossal 1,973bhp, promising performance to match. Lotus currently states a 0-62mph time of under 3.0 seconds, but it may well prove to be even quicker upon release.
McMurtry Spéirling (road-legal version)
The track-only McMurtry Spéirling has already shattered hill-climb records at Goodwood. The road-legal version is expected to follow suit with blistering speed. McMurtry claims a sub-two-second 0-62mph time for this lightweight single-seater, a claim that seems highly credible.
Tesla Roadster
Tesla’s upcoming Roadster aims for significant improvements over the original 2008 model. Leveraging advanced technology, Tesla claims a 1.9-second 0-60mph time, a 250mph top speed, and a range exceeding 600 miles. The automotive world eagerly awaits to see if it will deliver on these ambitious promises.
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