Just having raw horsepower is not what makes a car fast. If it is heavy, then by definition, it will need more power to get it moving. We took a look at road legal cars only but not necessarily available in the US. There are a couple of ways to calculate this.
Typically here in the US we take the car’s weight and divide by the horsepower. 3,000 lb/600 = 5 lbs/hp. In the UK and Europe they calculate bhp per tonne. 3,000 lb is 1.36 tons so divide 600/1.36 =441 bhp per tonne. Make sense?
Here is the countdown to the ten production cars with the best power-to-weight.
10. Pagani Huayra
The Pagani Huayra is an Italian mid-engined sports car produced by Pagani. The Huayra is currently the fastest road car to go around the Top Gear Test Track, setting a time of 1:13.8, beating the previous record of 1:15.1 set by the Ariel Atom V8 in January 2011.
Engine Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-Turbo Displacement 5980 cc Power 730 hp Torque 737 lb ft Gearbox transverse sequential seven speed gearbox – AMT robotyzed system with driving programs Power To Weight 4.14 lb/hp
9. Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package
The Weissach package’s main aim is to reduce weight, helping to lower the 918 Spyder’s curb mass from 3,715 pounds to 3,616 pounds. Porsche added magnesium wheels, a lighter brake design, ceramic wheel bearings, and titanium bolts for the chassis.
Engine Parallel full hybrid; 4.6-liter V8 and two permanent magnet AC synchronous motor Displacement 4600 cc Power 887 hp Torque 944 lb ft Gearbox 7 speed PDK Power To Weight 4.08 lb/hp
8. Caterham 620R
The 620 R is the fastest road car Caterham has ever made and will go from 0-60 in 2.79 secs.
Engine Supercharged 2.0 L Ford Duratec Displacement 2000 cc Power 310 hp Torque 219 lb ft Gearbox 6-speed sequential gearbox package Power To Weight 3.88 lb/hp
7. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
The current Super Sport version of the Veyron is the current fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of 267.7 mph.
Engine Quad-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 64-valve W-16, Displacement 8000 cc Power 1200 hp Torque 1106 lb ft Gearbox 7 Speed DSG Power To Weight 3.46 lb/hp
6. Mclaren P1
The P1 will go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 6.8 seconds, and from 0 to 186 mph in 16.5 seconds. It reaches the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds at 152 mph. Top speed of is 247 mph.
Engine
V8 Twin Turbo with integrated lightweight electric motor
Displacement 3799 cc Power 916 hp Torque 900 lb ft Gearbox
7 Speed SSG
Power To Weight 3.35 lb/hp
5. LaFerrari
Ferrari states that the car has a top speed exceeding 217 mph, and that it is capable of reaching 62 mph in under three seconds, 124 mph in under seven seconds, and a speed of 186 mph in 15 seconds.
Engine
V12 with electric motor
Displacement 6262 cc Power 916 hp Torque 900 lb ft Gearbox
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Power To Weight 3.32 lb/hp
4. Ariel Atom
The Atom V8 has a claimed 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds making it quicker than many bikes.
Engine
V8
Displacement 3000 cc Power 500 hp Torque 284 lb ft Gearbox
6-speed sequential Sadev
Power To Weight 2.43 lb/hp
3. Koenigsegg One:1
Manufacturers Claims
Zero to 60 mph: 2.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 4.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 9.0 sec
Top speed: 273 mph
Engine
V8, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Displacement 5000 cc Power 1341 hp Torque 1011 lb ft Gearbox
7-speed dual clutch, 1 input shaft transmission with paddle-shift.
Power To Weight 2.23 lb/hp
2.. Hennessey Venom GT
Hennessey claims their car will hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, then onto 100mph in 5.6 and then the fastest time to 186 mph according to Guinness, 13.63 seconds.
Engine
90-degree V8
Displacement 7000 cc Power 1244 hp Torque 1155 lb ft Gearbox
Ricardo 6-Speed manual
Power To Weight 2.206 lb/hp
1. Caparo T1
The Caparo is a 2-seater track car that is legal for the road. With a weight of only 1212 lbs the Caparo rockets to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds, and from 0 – 100 in 5 seconds. Top speed is in excess of 200mph.
Engine
Menard V8
Displacement 3500 cc Power 575 hp Torque 1155 lb ft Gearbox
Magnesium/carbon 6 speed sequential
Power To Weight 2.11 lb/hp