Touring Car
With F1 talking about making the cars faster, here’s five supercars that could leave them standing.
One of the hot topics in the paddock in Monte Carlo is about the new look to Formula One planned for 2017 and exactly what that new look should look like. TheGrand Prix Driver’s Association is asking fans to add their views in an online survey.
Former GPDA chair Fernando Alonso added his voice to calls to bring back refuelling, tyre competitions and quicker cars. “The cars now are only 1-2 seconds quicker than a GP2 car, there's some very complex technology, holding back the tyres and managing things… that’s more frustrating than the overall pace of the cars.”
Whereas Infiniti-Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner argues that refuelling won't add to the spectacle. "If you cast your mind back to races where there was refuelling, they weren’t that exciting – you just timed the pitstop, you either went shorter or longer [in the stint], and that dictated your strategy."
“So I think that’s still open to debate.”
At any rate, the tight and twisty Monte Carlo Street Circuit is hardly a fair test of speed for a Formula One car, but while F1 considers its future, we thought we’d look at some supercars that are actually quicker than an F1 car...
5. SSC Ultimate Aero
- Max. speed: 411kph
- Horsepower: 1,183bhp
- Weight: 1,237kg
- 0-100kph: 2.7s
Produced by the American company Shelby Super Cars from 2007 to 2010, the SSC Ultimate Aero was the fastest production car on earth. It was constructed from lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre to compensate for the three turbochargers stoking the 6.9-litre engine. The last batch of only five units, the Ultimate Aero XT, produced 1,300hp. But if that’s too slow for you, then start saving for Shelby’s latest, its successor, the SSC Tuatara, which will be arriving soon in a cloud of burning rubber.
4. Koenigsegg Agera R
- Max. speed: 418kph
- Horsepower: 1,155bhp
- Weight: 1,290kg
- 0-300kph: 21s
Founded in Ängelholm, Sweden, in 1994, Koenigsegg is a small manufacturer of cars with huge performance. The factory produces just two cars a month, with a team of 50 lovingly crafting the Agera R with its aluminium 5.7 litre V8, multi-point fuel injection, twin turbo engine and all carbon fibre body. The fuel economy – something that F1 is getting better at – is also jaw dropping at 29.2l per 100km (that’s 8mpg). But if you can afford an Agera R, then you’ve probably got access to your own oil well.
3. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
- Max. speed: 431kph
- Horsepower: 1,200bhp
- Weight: 1,838kg
- 0-415kph: 55s
The pride and joy of the Volkswagen Group, the Bugatti Veyron is produced in Molsheim, France, for Bugatti. As with an F1 car, the top speed of the fastest production car on the planet is actually artificially limited to 415kph to protect the tyres. The Super Sport model is derived from the Veyron 16.4, with some changes. It uses the same 16-cylinder engine but adds bigger turbos and intercoolers to boost the horsepower from 1,001 to 1,200hp.
2. Hennessey Venom GT
- Max. speed: 442kph
- Horsepower: 1.244bhp
- Weight: 1,244kg
- 0-320kph: 14.5s
When you look at the figures and the beautiful shape of the Hennessey Venom GT, it’s sobering to look at its humble origins. The Venom GT’s chassis is actually based on an old Lotus Elise, while the engine comes from General Motors. But when you add a little Hennessey to the cocktail it starts to make sense. The company specialises in producing hypercars and, particularly, in turning GM cars into hypercars. The Venom’s LS9, 6.2 litre, twin turbo engines are built in Sealy, Texas, and then shipped to the company’s plant in Silverstone, UK, where the Venom is assembled and tested. And if that 1,244bhp figure seems a bit over the top to you, then you can always go for the basic 725bhp version.
1. Koenigsegg One:1
- Max. speed: 450kph
- Horsepower: 1,341bhp
- Weight: 1,341kg
- 0-400kph: 20s
Back to Sweden and Koenigsegg, the One:1 was unveiled in March 2014 at the Geneva Auto Show and currently holds the coveted 'fastest production car in the world' crown. But what sets this model apart is the power-to-weight ratio, which is where the name comes from, and refers to the ratio of one braked horse per kilo. The hps come from th 5.0 litre V8 with twin turbo, which weighs just 197kg, thanks to the use of aluminium parts. It has another trick up its sleeve: it can run on regular petrol or the fuel used in F1, which makes it perfect for day-to-day motoring around Monaco.
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