Mercedes CLK DTM AMG - 199mph+
There are a number of cars that could take this last spot here, Saleen’s S7, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Pagani Zonda and a good few others, but this Mercedes is here as it’s been restricted to 199mph. Remove that leash and it’d comfortably exceed the 200mph and perhaps even be snapping at the rear of its far more expensive SLR relative. That’s hardly surprising given that the CLK DTM AMG uses basically the same engine as the Mercedes McLaren SLR, the 5.4 supercharged V8 in this installation producing 572bhp. Essentially a race car for the road, the CLK DTM AMG is a limited run production version of its successful German touring car. Costing £180,000 only 100 of these focussed be-winged ultimate CLKs are to be built, and every single one of them has already been sold. Mercedes CLK DTM AMG
Aston Martin Vanquish S - 200mph+
The original Vanquish could never really be accused of being short of power, but such is the pace of development these days its cheaper DB9 relative was snapping at its heals in the performance department. Costing some £60,000 more than the DB9 that simply wouldn’t do. So the Vanquish S was born, raising power from its front-mounted V12 to 520bhp, a hike of 60bhp. That also pushes the top speed of this British bruiser up beyond the 200mph barrier. As well as the engine modifications the S has a tweaked chassis to provide a more focussed, rawer driving experience, marking it out from the still available regular Vanquish and the DB9. Still largely hand built, in tiny numbers, the Vanquish S is a perfect British riposte to the thoroughbred Italians here; sophisticated, yet brutally fast Aston Martin’s flagship is a very desirable and useable 200mph+ machine.
Ferrari 575M Maranello - 202mph
200mph+ performance with GT civility, the Ferrari 575M Maranello and its 550 Maranello predecessor changed our expectations of what to expect from a series production Ferrari flagship. Its 508bhp V12 engine is mounted in front of the driver, allowing Ferrari to add some day-to-day usability to its supercar. Far less overt than the Testarossas and 512TR spin-offs that it replaced the 575M Maranello is a hugely accomplished supercar with few compromises. A hugely successful car it’s sold in massive numbers for something costing £160,000+, though as it’s now the oldest Ferrari in the line-up a replacement featuring an engine based on the Enzo’s is expected late 2005/early 2006. It’ll certainly be faster too…
Ford GT - 205mph
Among all the exotics mainstream manufacturer Ford muscles in with its 205mph GT. Fittingly, the first production Ford model to break the 200mph barrier looks almost identical to the Ford GT40s that were the first race cars to break 200mph at LeMans. Power for the retro inspired machine comes from a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine producing 550bhp. Only 101 will ever be officially imported into Europe making it a rare sight, yet despite this it’s the cheapest car so far in our top ten, costing a mere £125,000, which in this company is a bargain. Ford could have sold the European allocation 20 times over, such was the interest in the car, proof indeed that racing heritage builds popularity. A phenomenal machine, that’s about as far removed from a Fiesta as you could possibly imagine.
Lamborghini Murciélago - 205mph
Here’s a 200mph+ machine that looks positively cheap compared to its rivals. You’ll get little change from £400,000 from the cars above, indeed for some you’ll need to dig behind the sofa for several thousand more, but the Murciélago comes in at just £168,000. That’s genuine 200mph+ capability for British bungalow, not Mediterranean villa, money. The most useable Lamborghini ever, Audi’s input has refined the bull, but not restrained it. Lamborghini’s should be about drama and the Murciélago doesn’t disappoint, the 6.2-litre V12 producing 570bhp, more than enough to propel it beyond 200mph. Four-wheel-drive and active bodywork to cool that mighty V12 means you can actually use its performance too, while the fantastic looks, scissor doors and fantastic engine note are pure undiluted Lamborghini.
Porsche Carrera GT - 205mph
Unveiled to a surprised audience at the Paris motor show a few years back the Carrera GT is the result of an abortive race programme. Rather than leave the virtually finished project to languish in a corner of the factory in Stuttgart, Porsche decided to make the Carrera GT into a hypercar for the road - and what a job it’s done too. Unable to match the lofty top speeds of some of its rivals the Carrera GT remains one of the best cars of its type. A tricky, involving drive its V10 punches out 604bhp enabling it to reach 205mph. It’s open-topped too, meaning if you’re brave you can reach maximum velocity with wind tearing at your hair follicles. Sure, it’s not as fast as some, but it’s the hypercar you’d be happy to use all day on road and track.
Maserati MC12 - 205mph+
The MC12 is a thinly veiled racer based on it’s parent company's Ferrari Enzo which allows Maserati to go endurance racing. It’s expected to dominate much like Ferrari does in F1, to underline the company’s superiority on road and track. To satisfy the racing regulations stating that cars must be based on production models, the MC12 fulfilling these rules to the letter, if not the spirit. Just 50 road cars are expected to be built over two years and like the Enzo its structure is built almost entirely from carbonfibre, while power comes from a 6.0-litre V12 – which in the MC12 ‘only’ produces 630bhp. The limited production ensures that it’s more exclusive than the 400 run of Enzos, while if you want your 200mph projectile from Maranello with a removable roof, then you’ll also need to pick the Maserati over the Ferrari. Maserati MC12
Mercedes SLR McLaren - 208mph
Two famous names collaborate to produce the mighty SLR. An unusual car in the 200mph club due to its grand touring credentials and automatic transmission, the SLR sledgehammers its way to 208mph in comfort that’s more akin to a Mercedes saloon than your usual edgy, focussed supercar. The supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine produces 626bhp and a sound like a Messerschmitt 109, the side exiting exhausts, and cooling strakes on the wings being very reminiscent of classic Mercedes 60’s supercars like the 300SL Gullwing. At £313,465 they’re not a common sight, but some buyers have been rumoured to have bought several for each of their houses worldwide. Ever faster production AMG Mercedes models are already near the SLR’s top speed, such is the current pace of development in the company.
Ferrari Enzo - 217mph+
The Enzo is the latest in a line of Ferrari flagship hypercars that usefully punctuate the changes in the supercar world. This £450,000 monster produces 650bhp from its 6.0-litre V12 enabling it to push onto its claimed 217mph+ top speed. Ferrari has utilised its F1 expertise in almost every area, from the brakes, aerodynamics, suspension and of course, the engine and gearbox. Only available with the F1-paddle shift Ferrari wasn’t gunning to make the fastest supercar in the world when it created the Enzo, rather it wanted to make the best. The 217mph+ ability is just a bonus then. Just think too, that the F40, Ferrari’s flagship in 1989, is now outgunned by the new "entry-level" F430…
Koenigsegg CCR - 241mph
Although rumoured to be very very fast, this car did not officially set a high-speed record until February 2005, when it recorded a top-speed of 388 km/h - 241 mph - at the Nardo test track in Italy, and as such has finally toppled the previous record set in 1998 by a modified McLaren F1. Only a handful of these 806 hp Swedish hypercars are sold each year, though at a price-tag of £400,000 this is hardly surprising. They are equipped with a 4.7-litre V8, belting out an incredible 171hp per litre. However, a new challenger is rapidly approaching in the rear-view mirror: The Bugatti Veyron together with a monstrous 1000 hp engine, which may at long last see the light of day in September - See our story on this .
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by carlover
j/k
