Cars with 1,000 hp and more: These are the most powerful cars in the world

Performance tales from the Arabian Nights are often told. Especially in the tuning sector, such four-digit power figures are widespread. But what about legitimate, documented manufacturer promises? How many cars are there in this performance league? And how does this insane power come about? Our overview summarizes current supercars and hypercars that make precisely that promise of more than 1,000 hp. They are the most powerful cars in the world.

It should come as no surprise that the 1,000-horsepower sports car league is increasingly relying on electric assistance. However, it is surprising that some of the world's most powerful cars are relying on purely electric drive. This doesn't just refer to the well-known Tesla Model S Plaid or its closest rivals, the Lucid Air or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Lotus, Deus Automobiles, and Rimac are also fully committed to electric vehicles.

With the 2,000 hp Hyperion XP-1, a hydrogen-powered car is even among the world's most powerful. However, the majority of members in this exclusive club still use powerful combustion engines with electric assistance. Even the Lamborghini Revuelto, the successor to the Aventador, can no longer do without a hybrid drive. However, it also earns entry with a symbolic 1,001 hp.

The new Bugatti Tourbillon marks the beginning of a new era: Instead of the iconic W16 engine, it is powered by a completely newly developed 8.3-liter naturally aspirated, non-turbocharged V16 engine, producing 1,000 hp at up to 9,000 rpm. It is supported by three electric motors (two on the front axle, one on the rear axle), each producing 250 kW (340 hp), resulting in a combined system output of approximately 1,800 hp. This enables the Tourbillon to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 2 seconds, reach 200 km/h (124 mph) in less than 5 seconds, reach 300 km/h (186 mph) in under 10 seconds, and reach a top speed of 445 km/h (276 mph). A later version could even exceed 500 km/h (310 mph).

The Venom F5 Revolution features a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1,842 hp and 1,617 Newton meters of torque. The Texan tuner now offers a veritable F5 family with various, strictly limited models, such as the F5 Revolution.

So far, no Italian manufacturer has tamed the asphalt. But Automobili Pininfarina has now set the stage for series production of the Battista. The electric racer with a carbon fiber body is expected to weigh around 2.2 tons. Thanks to a maximum output of more than 1,900 hp and 2,300 Nm of torque from its four motors, it is expected to accelerate to 100 km/h in under two seconds.

On its website, the Japanese conglomerate Aspark has long touted the Owl as "the fastest car in the world." Given this exclusive list, that sounds a bit ambitious. The performance figures are nevertheless impressive – although the figures here, too, vary somewhat. The four electric motors of the hypercar, which is only 99 centimeters tall, produce a combined 1,984 hp.

With the Hyperion XP-1, whose development is said to involve NASA, the California-based manufacturer aims to compete in the hypercar segment. The Hyperion XP-1 will be powered by four axial-flux electric motors, each located at the wheel. A total output of around 2,000 hp is said to be provided. The highlight: The energy for the motors is supplied by an on-board fuel cell, which does not require a backup battery and directly supplies the electric drive with power.

When it was first introduced, the Evija was intended to be the world's most powerful sports car. Four electric motors are expected to generate 2,000 hp. However, its market launch has been repeatedly delayed. The first special series, limited to a few units and dubbed the Fittipaldi, commemorates a major Lotus F1 triumph 50 years ago.

Rimac has been on everyone's lips ever since its takeover of Bugatti. The Croatian company has also long had its own electric supercar in its product line: the Nevera. Rimac stated the total output of the four electric motors as 1,914 hp; maximum torque was 2,360 Newton meters. The Rimac Nevera R is now available. The most powerful model from Croatia delivers 2,136 hp.

Deus Automobiles was founded in Vienna in 2020 and aims to conquer the hyper sports car market from Austria. The company will launch a two-seater called the Vayanne. Its all-electric powertrain is expected to produce 1,640 kW (2,200 hp) and deliver a maximum torque of 2,000 Nm. The first of a total of 99 cars are scheduled to be delivered by 2025 at the latest.

The American hypercar manufacturer SSC already has an extremely potent candidate for the 1,000 hp club with the 1,774 hp Tuatara. However, the Aggressor version fully exploits the potential of the 5.9-liter twin-turbo engine. The team from Richland, Washington, promises up to 2,231 hp with an engine upgrade and E85 fuel.

The four-seater – incidentally the first from the Swedish brand – was launched with three electric motors and a three-cylinder engine. The 1,850-kilogram Gemera thus delivered a total of 1,700 hp and 3,500 Nm of system power. This power is derived from a unique hybrid drivetrain. The three electric motors, one with 500 hp and 1,000 Nm per rear wheel, and one with 400 hp and 500 Nm at the crankshaft, were supported by a three-cylinder gasoline engine.

Koenigsegg now relies on the V8 engine as the combustion engine's heart. This significantly increases performance, making the Gemera the most powerful of all Koenigseggs: 2,300 hp and 2,750 Nm of torque.

Spyros Panopoulosbis promises more than 3,000 hp and a top speed of over 500 km/h for his high-flyer, the "Chaos Zero Gravity." This top-of-the-line car is powered by a twin-turbocharged four-liter V10 with powerful electric assistance. Prices start at at least €5.5 million.