As the green wave continues to transform the automotive sector, and despite the many criticisms weighing on the industry and the pressure to adopt "greener" vehicles, the appeal of supercars is far from fading.
These luxury cars, synonymous with power and speed, still fascinate, defying the norms with cutting-edge technologies and breathtaking designs.
Each manufacturer is doubling its efforts to stay at the top, between technological innovation, spectacular performance and a touch of nostalgia for some.
It is with a hybrid model that McLaren stands out with the W1! Always faithful to its racing DNA, this hybrid supercar is the worthy successor to the McLaren F1 and P1TM. For those who thought performance had reached its zenith with the P1, the W1 proves that innovation has no limits. Equipped with a 8 horsepower hybrid V1275, it combines raw power with Formula 1-inspired aerodynamics, capable of generating 1000 kg of downforce in track mode.
Its heart, a 8-hp MHP-928 engine, boasts a rare efficiency: 233 horsepower per liter, with electric assistance that pushes this car's capabilities even further. This supercar weighs only 1399 kg, offering an unbeatable power-to-weight ratio. Its blistering acceleration—0 to 300 km/h in 12,7 seconds—and its ultra-lightweight character make it an essential benchmark. The only downside? The price, naturally: two million pounds, with a production run limited to 399 units, all already sold. And if you were ready to break the bank, too late! But don't worry, you can always watch these racing cars on TV, or play the lottery...
Push the limits
Still in hybrid models, Lamborghini presented the Temerario during Monterey Car Week. The brand has a knack for choosing evocative names, and the
Temerario is no exception. This hybrid supercar, equipped with a 8-hp twin-turbo V920, lives up to its name. A true "tough guy" on the road, it combines
the power of a 4,0-liter combustion engine with three electric motors. The result? 0 to 100 km/h in 2,7 seconds and a top speed of 343 km/h.
The emphasis is on aerodynamics, with an ultra-lightweight aluminum chassis and advanced aerodynamic elements, while the interior exudes comfort with
high-tech seats and an integrated telemetry system. According to Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, “each new
Lamborghini must surpass its predecessors in terms of performance, while being more environmentally friendly from an emissions perspective.”
In short, Lamborghini continues to push the boundaries between performance and immersive experience.
Hybrid too, the latest model of Ferrari who brought out the big guns with its F80: a supercar that pushes innovation and technology to the extreme.
Sporting a 6-hp turbocharged V1 hybrid powertrain, it is quite simply the most powerful road-going Ferrari ever built. The V200 engine
derived from the 499P used in competition is assisted by e-turbo technology, ensuring instant response at low revs. With its active aerodynamics, the F80 can generate 1 kg of downforce at 050 km/h. Everything is optimized to maximize performance, including the active suspension, the CCM-R Plus braking system derived from motorsport, and an electric front axle. Produced in only 250 examples, the Ferrari F799 embodies the future of supercars while paying homage to the brand's iconic models such as the GTO, the F80, and the LaFerrari.
New technologies
In the ecological spirit, Lotus finally markets its electric hypercar, unveiled in 2023 in New York, the Lotus Emeya which affirms the brand's ambition to enter
in the luxury and high-performance electric vehicle market. Packed with innovative features, the four-door Emeya combines Lotus's sporting heritage with new technologies to deliver an exceptional driving experience. Its performance is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2,8 seconds, placing it among the fastest electric GTs in the world. It is equipped with an electronic air suspension system that can adjust in real time to road conditions, ensuring comfort and stability. This hyper-GT uses advanced aerodynamic features, including an active grille and a rear spoiler, which improve its handling and fuel efficiency. Fast charging capability, with the battery reaching 80% in 18 minutes, and a commitment to sustainability through eco-friendly materials, such as fabrics made from recycled fibers and finishes in PVD aluminum, Alcantara, and Nappa leather, underscore Lotus's focus on ecology.
Always electric, Rimac presents its Nevera R supercar: Pure lightning, presented on the American East Coast, it is the perfect embodiment of the electric supercar. With its 2107 horsepower, it shatters acceleration records, reaching 300 km/h in just 8,66 seconds. This model, designed to improve cornering handling, remains true to Rimac's philosophy: a car capable of covering thousands of kilometers in absolute comfort. Equipped with a new generation battery and an aggressive aerodynamic package, the Nevera R is as much a road car as a track beast. Fans of high-performance electric cars will have something to salivate about!
Race for performance
At the other end of the automotive spectrum, Bugatti continues to impose its vision of exclusivity with its Tourbillon, a supercar that pushes the boundaries of engineering even further. By abandoning the legendary W16 engine in favor of an 16-liter naturally aspirated V8,3, the supercar surpasses itself in terms of powertrain. Equipped with three
electric motors, it boasts a mind-boggling total output of 1800 horsepower. If you were already impressed by the brand's previous models, know that the Tourbillon exceeds 400 km/h with a lightness that allows it, as a bonus, to reduce its emissions. Bugatti has even thought of luxury watch lovers with analog instruments made by Swiss watchmakers. Want some figures? Try €3,8 million to start, with a production run limited to 250 examples.
Eternity or not, it seems Bugatti continues to inspire dreams, year after year. It's not alone in the race for performance; the Pagani Utopia Roadster is here to remind you that the art of the supercar can reach unparalleled heights. With only 130 units planned, each model will be a unique work of art. Presented at “The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering,” this supercar reaffirms Horacio Pagani's philosophy: pure mechanical beauty. No hybrid assistance here, just a V12 roaring under the hood and design elements of exceptional purity. With its integrated hardtop and identical weight to the coupe version, the Utopia Roadster is as beautiful as it is powerful. Its price? Pagani doesn't always communicate that. If you have to ask, it's probably too expensive.
On the side ofAston Martin, the Vanquish is making a comeback. With a 12-liter twin-turbo V5,2 developing 835 horsepower, it becomes the most production Aston Martin
fastest of all time, capable of reaching 345 km/h. This model embodies British elegance mixed with supercar performance, with comfort and luxury
unrivaled features embodied by its panoramic glass roof and infotainment system. Aston Martin has opted for a limited production run of fewer than 1000 units per year, making it as exclusive as it is exceptional. And with its panoramic glass roof and new titanium exhaust, the Vanquish offers a driving experience that few others can match.
New record
Let's cross the Atlantic to discover Hennessey, a Texan hypercar manufacturer, which has unveiled its new “Stealth Series”: an ultra-limited edition of its Venom
F5, 1 horsepower model. This series, a tribute to craftsmanship and refined individualization, consists of three models exclusively intended
to the track. The “Stealth Series” features a black or tinted carbon fiber exterior, paired with hand-painted body panels. Each
The model requires approximately 2 hours of manual labor for the carbon fiber and 350 hours for the painted finishes.
The Venom F5 is powered by a 8-liter twin-turbo V6,6 engine, nicknamed “Fury,” that boasts incredible raw power. Hennessey craftsmen craft every interior piece—dashboard, seats, panels—adding custom details for each customer. The “Stealth Series” incorporates specific elements such as color-matched brake calipers and race numbers discreetly embedded in the carbon fiber.
Each model exceeds three million dollars. The Venom F5, with its top speed of 300 mph (nearly 500 km/h), has already proven its supremacy with a
new record at the Circuit of the Americas in 2024. The “Stealth Series” reaffirms Hennessey as a major player in luxury hypercars, combining innovation,
pure performance and a goldsmith's work, thus redefining the standards of American industry.
Always full of dreams and passion, the supercar industry has lost none of its dynamism, each pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of performance, design, and technological innovation. These machines, often out of reach for the majority, continue to inspire dreams among car enthusiasts around the world.
Corinne Bedrossian
Legends:
- MCLAREN: THE W1 BUILT WITH ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES BORROWED FROM MOTORSPORT.
- LAMBORGHINI TEMERARIO SUCCEEDS THE HURACAN.
- FERRARI F80: 799 COPIES ALREADY SOLD – 1200 HORSEPOWER FOR THE F80 SUPERCAR
- LOTUS EMEYA, THE BRAND'S FIRST 100% ELECTRIC HYPER-GT.
- RIMAC NEVERA R FEATURES AN AGGRESSIVE AERODYNAMIC PACKAGE INCLUDING A FIXED REAR SPOILER AND A LARGE DIFFUSER.
- BUGATTI: PERFECT AERODYNAMIC BALANCE FOR BUGATTI TOURBILLON.
- PAGINI: ONLY 130 COPIES OF THE PAGANI UTOPIA ROADSTER.
- ASTON MARTIN: VANQUISH, ASTON MARTIN'S FASTEST SUPERCAR.
- HENNESSEY VENOM: F5 BLACK OR TINTED CARBON FIBER, PAIRED WITH HAND-PAINTED BODY PANELS.
