Introduction
2017 as a year for cars was all about the electric revolution and a glimpse into the world of EVs that will be launched in the next few years. In fact EVs dominated the news and was pretty much the only thing anyone spoke about. But, because hyper cars are loud, terrifyingly fast and look other worldly, it is hard to miss them. And so, we took another look at our stories and found that 2017 had also been the year of hyper cars.
Firstly, we need to answer the question…what is a hypercar?
To put it plain and simple; it is the best performance car that you could buy when money is not an issue. Yes, that means the best of materials, drive trains and a design that looks like nothing else on this earth. The car should also have record shattering performance figures that its owner could brag about for decades to come.
A year in hypercars
Bugatti Chiron
We begin with the most famous name in the world of hyper motoring performance, which is Bugatti and its Chiron hypercar. It is the successor to the legendary Veyron and at 1500bhp packs in a heavier punch than its predecessor. What’s more, in the hands of a former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya it achieved a 0-400kmph and 400kmph-0kmph run in just 41.96 seconds.
Hennessey Venom F5
From one side of the Atlantic to the other, we move to the American side for the Venom F5 from Hennessey. It is a 1451bhp hyper car from the American heartland in Texas and has been designed from the word go to break the 300mph mark. It was showcased at SEMA (where else) and only 24 of these will be built for a cool 1.6 million dollars apiece.
Ultimate McLaren Senna
Named to honour one of the greatest racers, the McLaren Senna is the British automaker’s latest cruise missile on four wheels and boasts of Chiron matching performance figures. It is expected to be the highest level of achievement for the 720S series and may go on sale next year.
Mercedes AMG Project One
When you dominate the proceedings of the highest form of motor sport for three years and that too in a new engine era, then some benefit has to be derived. In this case, Mercedes used its winning technology of the F1 hybrid era to build a 30 model run of super exclusive hyper cars. Dubbed the AMG Project One, deliveries will begin next year with all cars already sold out.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Built and designed to replace the F12 Berlinetta, the 812 Superfast was launched earlier this year. Its arrival also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the company. Its piece de resistance is, of course, a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 motor that’s capable of making 799bhp at 8500rpm and 718Nm of torque at 7000rpm.
Aston Martin Valkyrie
It seemed like it was only a matter of time before a company like Aston Martin, which practically lives and breathes motor racing, built a hyper car. Named after a Norse god, the Valkyrie was designed by Redbull Racing’s Adrian Newey and only 25 lucky people will ever get to own and experience its 6.5-litre 1000bhp naturally aspirated Cosworth engine.
Koenigsegg Agera RS
2017 saw many performance car companies claiming various speed figures to make their own. Wanting in on the action, Christian Von Koenigsegg ‘borrowed’ a customer’s car, booked off a section of a highway in Texas and got his test drivers to push a 2017 Agera RS to 488kmph! Now if that isn’t showing who is the boss to everyone then I don’t know what is!
