Why would you want a hypercar? They are blazing fast, exceedingly expensive, have endless innovative possibilities and always seem out of reach. They are almost like a dream.
But these high-performance, limited-edition cars have takers worldwide. Millions are spent on these prized possessions—these mystical vehicles make up for only 1% cars of the so-called supercars in the automotive industry.
They are also backed by legacy brands: think Buggati, McLaren, Automobili Pininfarina, Lamborghini and many more. Some other big names in the auto industry are considering entering the hypercar market. The likes of Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz are also reportedly in the running to develop their own iterations of a hypercar.
With new names entering the fray, experts wonder if hypercars might have a problem of plenty or lose their sheen. But that does not make them any less exciting. Here’s a look at 5 recent hypercar launches that have caught our attention.
McLaren W1
A successor to the famous McLaren F1 and McLaren P1, the McLaren W1 has an all-new high-performance hybrid powertrain and MHP-8 V8 combustion engine. While the engine can generate 928PS and revs to 9,200rpm, the powertrain produces 1275PS, which is the highest power output of any McLaren ever. The W1 can achieve an acceleration of 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 5.8 seconds and 0-300km/h (0-186mph) in less than 12.7 seconds. The car’s maximum speed is electronically limited to 350km/h. It has an 8-speed transmission and a front suspension inspired by Formula 1 cars. The yellow and black give the McLaren W1 a distinctive look. Priced at approximately £2 million in the UK, McLaren will produce only 399 customer cars of the W1.
Nilu by Nilu27
Founded by renowned sports car designer Sasha Selipanov, known for his stints at Lamborghini, Bugatti and Koenigsegg, the Nilu27 hypercar brand debuted its titular NILU hypercar earlier this year. According to its official website, the hypercar is inspired by F1 and Le Mans cars of the 1960s. Interestingly, the NILU hypercar will not be electrified and will instead rely on natural aspiration. For this, the company has partnered with New Zealand-based Hartley Engines to create a 6.5-litre, 80-degree V12 engine, which will deliver more than 1,000 horsepower. The car will also avoid digitisation and any other form of technological aid. According to the website, the brand is developing multiple models simultaneously.
Automobili Pininfarina Battista Targamerica
Imagine a bespoke supercar, tailor made for you, which even includes personal additions like a cigar humidor. The Automobili Pininfarina Battista Targamerica electric hypercar is the real-life embodiment of that imagination. The Battista Targamerica is the first one-off coach-built model from Automobili Pininfarina delivered to a client. According to a news release, the Targamerica features a silver and blue colour scheme along with a meticulous re-engineering of the body to suit the roofless profile and deliver a unique open-top driving experience. Don’t let the all-electric design fool you. The car can deliver 1,900hp of power and 2,340Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than two seconds, and has a top speed of more than 300km/h. The car was commissioned by a renowned car collector and existing Battista owner.
RB17 Hypercar
Red Bull is a well-known name in the world of racing and cars. But the RB17 hypercar is probably its most ambitious vehicle. Created by Red Bull’s iconic designer Adrian Newey, who is now on his way to Aston Martin, the RB17 was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. The sleek-looking machine features a two-seater carbon fibre monocoque chassis with a semi-stressed mid mounted naturally aspirated V10 engine that is red lined at 15,000 rpm. According to the Oracle Red Bull Racing website, the power is transferred to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre gearbox. The RB17 weighs under 900kg and can deliver F1-equivalent lap times and top speeds of more than 350 kph. To make it an even more unique proposition, Red Bull says only 50 units of the hypercar will be sold.
Buggati Tourbillon
The Tourbillon follows 20 years after Buggati introduced the Veyron—the first road car with more than 1,000hp. Learning from the engineering marvels of the Veyron and Chiron—launched in 2016—the Tourbillon features an all-new hybrid powertrain and can travel at speeds of more than 400km/h. The car’s striking design includes a new ultra-compact and lightweight front e-axle with dual independent motors and AI-developed, 3D-printed components. The Bugatti Tourbillon is currently in its testing phase, with prototypes already on the road. The anticipated release date is in 2026 and a total of 250 examples will be built, according to the Buggati website. The Tourbillon will have a starting price of approximately 3.5 million euros.