Worth the Hype
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Hypercars Hypercars Worth the hype Boasting hundreds of horsepower, million-dollar price tags and top speeds that can make a supercar blush, the world’s best hypercars are in a breed of their own. Here, Guy Bird looks at the coolest and quickest cars that money can buy (if they’re not already sold out) who decided to make the same is still the pinnacle of all Porsche’s the 269mph Agera (and its even number of vehicles as its model current know-how. The 876bhp faster variants). However, the designation (918). Nonetheless, car has a slightly eco aspect too. Regera is designed to be the most you’re unlikely to bump into one Its twin electric motors assist the complete all-rounder – not just a of the other 917 owners unless V8 engine to a blisteringly quick track day-biased special but one you spend all week at Pebble 2.6-second 0-62mph time but with a few more creature comforts Beach, and the svelte two-seater it still posts a frankly incredible that is easier to spend time with. official 94mpg and 72g/km of CO2 It offers the equivalent of more aving hit the tarmac over fast, as demand is high, and the Exclusivity: 1 of 375 ensures beautifully fast progress. emissions. Drive enthusiastically, than 1500bhp from its 5.0 V8 and the last half-decade or six hypercars detailed below are Bonus fact: 35 examples of A convertible version – called though – which is the point of triple electric motor power set-up Hso, road-legal hypercars available in limited quantities. an even quicker GTR version Aperta – made its official debut such a car – and real-world along with some aesthetic treats, leave traditional supercars like the (0-62mph in 2.4secs like the at the September 2016 Paris economy will plummet. like its starry headlights, courtesy Ferrari F430 or the Aston Martin McLAREN P1 Chiron) were offered to existing motorshow although Ferrari says 0-62mph: 2.6sec Top speed: of a bunch of LEDs sprinkled DBS in the dust, with top speeds Like Ferrari, British brand P1 owners for US$2.5m. they’re all sold too. Darn. 214mph Price: US$950k liberally inside the lamp unit to of over 200 miles-per-hour a McLaren handily also owns an 0-62mph: 2.9sec Top speed: Exclusivity: 1 of 918 create a constellation effect. prerequisite for admittance into F1 team, which aids the transfer FERRARI LAFERRARI 217mph Price: US$1.5m Bonus fact: Able to drive up to Subtle and swift. this exclusive high-speed club. of motorsport technology to its “It’s the greatest transfer between Exclusivity: 1 of 499* 18 miles in pure electric mode 0-62mph: 2.8sec Top speed: Hypercars are also way more road cars. The 727bhp P1 model F1 and a road car we ever did,” Bonus fact: The original (if you want). 255mph Price: US$2m expensive than their supercar represents its high watermark. says Ferrari’s technical director production run of the hardtop Exclusivity: 1 of 80 ancestors, with prices edging Exposed carbon fibre, cool but Roberto Fedeli of the LaFerrari. Berlinetta version was limited to KOENIGSEGG REGERA Bonus fact: Not all of the 80 towards seven digits rather than highly functional aerodynamic It’s the first road-going Ferrari to 499 but Ferrari has just decided Sweden’s most famous car have yet been sold. Move fast! ➤ six. And as you’ll seldom be able scoops and vents, and an F1-style use F1 KERS technology (Kinetic to build a 500th to be sold to brand is Volvo, while its sexiest to achieve those top speeds on the rear wing that can swivel through Energy Recovery System), which benefit those affected by the was the sadly departed Saab. Pictured: The McLaren P1 (left, road, your million-dollar-plus motor 29 degrees to keep its tail to the collects and stores unused energy August 2016 earthquake But there is another. Formed main), which boasts 727bhp better look incredible, feel amazing tarmac are all part of the package. from the engine to re-use for in central Italy. Fair play. in 1994, Koenigsegg has been and a US$1.15m price tag; the to drive, and feature some serious Less showy than a Ferrari or short power boosts. With a full quietly making balls-out-rapid Ferrari LaFerrari (above), which technology to counter any jokers Lamborghini, this is a hypercar for carbon fibre chassis making PORSCHE 918 supercars since the early 2000s. costs US$1.5m and tops out at trying to Top Trump you at the tech aficionados who appreciate it 27% stiffer than the Enzo it Compared to the other hypercars The new Regera – meaning “to 217mph; and the Porsche 918 private members’ club. stealth with their speed. replaces, and an in-house design here, the Porsche 918 is far reign” in Swedish – is not the (left), which can reach 62mph To grab a seat in one of these 0-62mph: 2.9secs Top speed: that looks way more curvaceous, less rare. Blame its name, or out-and-out fastest model in its in just 2.6 seconds and will set cars, though, be sure to move 217mph Price: US$1.15m the LaFerrari’s combined 950bhp the German brand’s bosses, line-up – that honour goes to you back US$950k 24 Upward Curve October-December 2016 October-December 2016 Upward Curve 25 Hypercars LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR to classic Bugatti designs in a The Aventador is the oldest of way that the Veyron, its blunt-if- this crop of cars – originally effective predecessor, could never launched in 2011 – and is more achieve. Having 1,479bhp to play of a supercar than a hypercar. with, 260mph is no problem, But the Aventador is still included although this figure is limited by in this list because, despite its the manufacturer for road safety age and greater ubiquity, its brutal reasons (the brand’s chief engineer beauty – accentuated by the is set to attempt a new speed bright colours that so suit the car record of 279mph on a private – is still guaranteed to turn heads proving ground later in 2016). As anywhere in the world. A brilliantly such, the Chiron is the current pick angular design to start with, in of the crop, as respected global hardtop or roadster guise, it’s magazine CAR – one of the few to impossible to ignore. The newer have even had a passenger ride in 2015 SV version is the one to go one – attests: “The Chiron is not for, offering 740bhp from the even on the same planet as the epic-sounding V12. other hypercars, and this list would 0-62mph: 2.8sec Top speed: include LaFerrari and McLaren P1. 217mph Price: US$425k It is all about extreme speed.” Exclusivity: 1 of 5,000+ 0-62mph: 2.4sec Top speed: Bonus fact: SV stands for 260mph (limited) Price: US$2.5m ‘Super Veloce’, which in Italian, Exclusivity: 1 of 500 appropriately means ‘Super Fast’. Bonus fact: One sheikh has already bought six. ■ BUGATTI CHIRON The latest addition to the hypercar Pictured: Only 80 Koenigsegg club is the Chiron, unveiled at the Regera (top) have been built; 2016 Geneva motorshow. With the Lamborghini Aventador its elegantly C-shaped roof-to- (middle) is sure to turn heads; floor side feature line and curvier the 1,479bhp Bugatti Chiron surfacing, it gently harks back (left) is limited to 260mph October-December 2016 Upward Curve 27.