Fastest cars on the planet - II

Jaguar XJ220

 

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Jaguar's stunning XJ220 supercar launched in 1992 and was, for a time, the fastest car in the world. The twin-turbo V6 - based on that used in the Group B Metro 6R4 rally car - had 541hp and sent Martin Brundle to a record breaking 217mph.

Pagani Zonda

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The Pagani Zonda is one of those cars that really is as fast as it looks - and it looks like a low flying UFO. Current most powerful road-going variant is the Roadster F or Clubsport with 650hp. 200mph+ is easy, but depends on the aerodynamic trim.

Enzo Ferrari

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Ferrari doesn't name any old car after its iconic owner; the ultra special Enzo thus hits 221mph, courtesy of a 6.0-litre V12 engine that produced 651hp. Only 400 were built - the final one being a special one-off to raise money for the 2004 Tsunami fund.

Gumpert Apollo

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You may say 'ugly', we prefer 'functional' - the Gumpert Apollo ain't pretty but it's certainly effective. Currently the fastest proper production car round the 'ring, former Top Gear hot lap leader, 650hp minimum means 0-62mph in 3.1 and 224mph.

Gumpert Apollo

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The words 'Volvo' and '200mph' aren't exactly common bedfellows. Yet by twin-turbocharging Volvo's 4.4-litre V8 to 650hp Noble has built itself a 225mph hypercar, the M600. £200,000 and no standard traction control. Yikes.

Bristol Fighter

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The Bristol Fighter has gullwing doors. It is built by mysterious men, somewhere in Filton (which is near... Bristol). Its twin-turbo version of the Viper's V10 produces over 1,000hp. And Bristol electronically limits it to 225mph, since that's deemed 'more than sufficient'.

McLaren F1

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Various cars nudged the 200mph benchmark in the early 90s but the McLaren F1 completely destroyed them with its staggering 240mph top speed. The Veyron may be faster but the McLaren remains the pinnacle of supercar development to many.

Koenigsegg CCXR

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A former holder of the fastest car in the world title, Koenigsegg has posted an official 240.7mph top speed - no fudging or theorising here. And that was just an 806hp CCR, rather the more recent CCXR with 1,079hp. Blimey.

SSC Ultimate Aero

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The American Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero was, until the arrival of the Bugatti Super Sport, officially the world's fastest car. Guinness World Record observers have verified it at 256mph. Ah, the beauty and effect of having 1,147hp.

Bugatti Veyron

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The most famous mega-speed supercar right now. The Top Gear boys have just reached 267mph in the ultra-special Super Sport variant. That's what 1,200hp can do for you, officially making this the fastest production car in the world! It actually peaked at 269.8mph during the record runs. If you're rich enough, you can buy it right now.

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

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This rare carbonfibre America supercar debuted in 2000 with a big V8 - but became even more special in 2005. That's when two turbochargers were added, taking power up to 750hp, and the top speed claim up to 248mph. Even so, it's a relative bargain for a superfast supercar.