Top 100 Fastest Cars Over the Quarter Mile
The Definitive List of Fastest Cars & SUVs by Quarter Mile Time
In the exhilarating world of high-speed automotive engineering, the quarter-mile drag race stands as the ultimate test of a car's acceleration and raw power. From classic muscle cars to cutting-edge hypercars, this 1,320-foot stretch has seen some of the most incredible feats of speed ever achieved on four wheels. We present the definitive list of the top 100 fastest cars ever created over the quarter mile. Whether you're an automotive enthusiast, a speed junkie, or simply curious about the pinnacle of vehicular performance, join us as we explore.
100 Fastest Quarter Mile Time by Production Cars
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The evolution of the fastest cars over the quarter mile is a fascinating journey through automotive history, reflecting advancements in technology, engineering, and design philosophy. In the 1960s and 1970s, the era of muscle cars reigned supreme. American icons like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Dodge Charger R/T, and Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda were the kings of the quarter mile. These cars were characterized by their massive V8 engines, producing raw, unadulterated power that thrilled enthusiasts and dominated drag strips across the country. Their performance was impressive for the time, with quarter-mile times often in the 12-14 second range, showcasing the brute strength of these legendary machines.
As we moved into the 1980s and 1990s, the focus shifted towards supercars. European manufacturers, particularly Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, began to push the boundaries of speed and performance. The Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Diablo, and Porsche 959 were some of the standout models of this era. These cars incorporated advanced aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and sophisticated engineering to achieve remarkable speeds. Quarter-mile times dropped into the 11-second range, and the concept of a street-legal car capable of such rapid acceleration became a reality. The supercar era was not just about raw power; it was about a balance of speed, handling, and cutting-edge technology.
The 2000s ushered in the era of hypercars, where manufacturers took performance to an entirely new level. Brands like Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and McLaren began to dominate the scene with cars that pushed the limits of what was technically possible. The Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg Agera RS, and McLaren P1 were pioneers of this era, boasting astronomical horsepower figures and advanced hybrid powertrains. These cars could achieve quarter-mile times in the 9-10 second range, with top speeds exceeding 250 mph. The hypercar era represented the pinnacle of internal combustion engine performance, combining immense power with extreme precision and luxury.
Today, we are witnessing a new revolution with the rise of electric cars. Vehicles like the Tesla Model S Plaid, Rimac Nevera, and Porsche Taycan Turbo S are redefining what is possible on the quarter mile. Electric motors provide instant torque, enabling these cars to achieve breathtaking acceleration times. The Tesla Model S Plaid, for example, can complete the quarter mile in just under 9.2 seconds, a time that was once unthinkable for a production car. This new wave of electric vehicles demonstrates that the future of speed is not just about horsepower but also about efficiency, sustainability, and innovative engineering.
In summary, the fastest cars over the quarter mile have evolved dramatically over the decades. From the muscle cars of the mid-20th century to the supercars and hypercars that followed, and now the cutting-edge electric vehicles, each era has brought its own advancements and milestones. As technology continues to advance, the boundaries of speed and performance will undoubtedly be pushed even further, making the future of quarter-mile racing an exciting prospect for automotive enthusiasts.
Note about the data. The times on this list may not be perfect. In some cases we got data from magazines and websites that do extensive testing, in other cases we took the manufacturers word and rarely we looked up forums and quarter mile times other’s achieved. Note, that many elements change how fast the car can accelerate to 60 mph. Tires, elevation above sea level, weight of the driver, testing equipment, weather conditions and surface of testing track all influence these times. Since one-foot rollout before the timer starts is used by some North American publications, times which exclude the time of the first foot of acceleration are included. Main point is try not the freak out, this is a website and we try to share the data we can get our hands on.
1. 2024 Rimac Nevera
Quarter Mile: 8.3 seconds
Summary
The Rimac Nevera is an all-electric hypercar that has shattered numerous performance records and redefines what's possible in the world of electric vehicles. This Croatian masterpiece boasts unparalleled performance and cutting-edge technology, making it a true marvel of engineering.
Underneath its sleek and aerodynamic exterior, the Nevera houses four independent electric motors, one for each wheel. This unique configuration delivers an astonishing 1,914 horsepower and 1,741 lb-ft of torque, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in a mind-boggling 1.7 seconds. In fact, it's so fast that it recently set 23 performance records in a single day, including the 0-400-0 km/h (0-249-0 mph) challenge, completing it in an astonishing 29.93 seconds.
The Nevera's performance isn't just about straight-line speed. Its advanced torque vectoring system, carbon-ceramic brakes, and sophisticated suspension provide unparalleled handling and agility, making it a formidable machine on both road and track. Its all-electric powertrain also delivers instant torque, providing a thrilling driving experience with seamless acceleration.
Beyond its impressive performance, the Nevera is also a luxurious and technologically advanced hypercar. Its interior is crafted with premium materials and features a minimalist design with a focus on driver engagement. The car is also packed with cutting-edge technology, including a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. The Rimac Nevera is a game-changer in the automotive world, a hypercar that proves that electric vehicles can be just as fast, exciting, and luxurious as their gasoline-powered counterparts.
2. 2023 Pininfarina Battista
Quarter Mile: 8.6 seconds
Summary
The Pininfarina Battista is an all-electric hypercar that has redefined the landscape of performance automobiles. Developed by Automobili Pininfarina, the Battista pays homage to the company's founder while pushing the boundaries of what's possible with electric power. Its striking design, reminiscent of classic Italian sports cars, seamlessly blends elegance with aerodynamic efficiency, a testament to Pininfarina's design heritage.
Underneath its beautiful carbon fiber body, the Battista houses four electric motors, one for each wheel, delivering a combined output of 1,900 horsepower and 1,725 pound-feet of torque. This incredible powertrain is fed by a 120-kWh battery pack, enabling the Battista to achieve astonishing performance figures. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 1.79 seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating road-legal production cars ever created. It can also reach a top speed of 217 mph, placing it among the fastest electric vehicles ever built.
The Battista's performance isn't just about raw speed, however. Its advanced torque vectoring system, carbon-ceramic brakes, and sophisticated suspension provide unparalleled handling and agility, making it a formidable machine on both road and track. Its electric powertrain also delivers instant torque, ensuring a thrilling and responsive driving experience with seamless acceleration. The Pininfarina Battista is a technological marvel, a testament to the potential of electric power, and a symbol of the future of high-performance automobiles.
3. 2024 Lotus Evija
Quarter Mile: 8.6 seconds
Summary
The Lotus Evija is an electrifying hypercar that marks a new era for the British automaker, known for its lightweight and agile sports cars. As Lotus's first all-electric model, the Evija not only showcases the brand's commitment to sustainable performance but also pushes the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of electric hypercars.
At the heart of the Evija's performance lies a quad-motor electric powertrain that delivers an astonishing 1,972 horsepower and 1,254 lb-ft of torque. This immense power, channeled through a single-speed transmission and an all-wheel-drive system, propels the Evija from 0 to 62 mph in under 3 seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating production cars in the world. Its top speed is electronically limited to 218 mph, but it's clear that this hypercar is capable of even greater velocities.
But the Evija's performance isn't just about raw power. It's also a masterclass in lightweight engineering and aerodynamic design. The car's carbon fiber monocoque chassis, which weighs just 284 pounds, is the lightest of any production EV hypercar. This, combined with active aerodynamics and a low center of gravity, ensures exceptional handling and agility, allowing the Evija to carve through corners with precision and confidence. Its powerful regenerative braking system also provides excellent stopping power while contributing to the car's overall efficiency.
4. 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire
Quarter Mile: 8.9 seconds
Summary
The Lucid Air Sapphire is a groundbreaking electric luxury sedan that redefines performance and sustainability in the automotive world. It's not just another EV; it's a high-performance machine that rivals traditional gasoline-powered supercars while maintaining the refinement and comfort expected of a luxury sedan.
Under its sleek and aerodynamic exterior, the Air Sapphire houses a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system that produces a staggering 1,234 horsepower and 1,430 lb-ft of torque. This immense power translates to breathtaking acceleration, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.89 seconds, according to Lucid's official figures. It can also complete the quarter mile in a mere 8.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest production cars in the world.
The Air Sapphire's performance isn't just about straight-line speed. It also boasts exceptional handling and agility, thanks to its advanced suspension system, torque vectoring, and carbon-ceramic brakes. The car feels incredibly planted and responsive, inspiring confidence in the driver even at high speeds. Despite its performance focus, the Air Sapphire doesn't sacrifice comfort or luxury. Its spacious cabin is crafted with premium materials, and it comes loaded with advanced technology features like a large touchscreen display and a suite of driver-assist systems. The Lucid Air Sapphire is a true testament to the potential of electric vehicles, proving that performance, luxury, and sustainability can coexist in perfect harmony.
5. 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
Quarter Mile: 2.2 seconds
Summary
The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport is a hypercar that epitomizes Bugatti's relentless pursuit of automotive excellence. It's an evolution of the already astonishing Chiron, meticulously engineered to achieve even greater speeds and provide an unparalleled driving experience.
Underneath its elongated and aerodynamically optimized body, the Chiron Super Sport houses an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine. This monstrous powerplant, a testament to Bugatti's engineering prowess, produces a staggering 1,600 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. This immense power, combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive, allows the Chiron Super Sport to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 2.2 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 273 mph, making it one of the fastest production cars ever created.
The Chiron Super Sport's performance isn't just about raw power; it's also a masterclass in aerodynamics and engineering. Its longtail design, with an extended rear end, reduces drag and improves airflow, contributing to its exceptional high-speed stability. The car's sophisticated suspension system, active aerodynamics, and carbon-ceramic brakes ensure precise handling and confident stopping power.
Inside the cabin, the Chiron Super Sport offers a luxurious and refined environment, with premium materials, handcrafted details, and advanced technology features. While its focus is on performance, it doesn't sacrifice comfort or exclusivity, making it a truly remarkable hypercar that can be enjoyed both on the road and the track.
6. 2021 Koenigsegg Gemera
Quarter Mile: 2.0 seconds
Summary
The Koenigsegg Gemera is a revolutionary hypercar that defies conventional categorization. Dubbed a "Mega-GT," it combines the performance of a hypercar with the practicality of a four-seater grand tourer. Its sleek and aerodynamic design hides a technological marvel under the hood, a hybrid powertrain that redefines what's possible in the automotive world.
The standard Gemera boasts a unique engine called the Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG). It's a 2.0-liter three-cylinder engine with twin turbochargers producing 600 horsepower, working in tandem with three electric motors. Two of these motors are on the rear wheels, with the third on the crankshaft to power the front wheels. Combined, the hybrid system outputs 1,700 horsepower and a mind-boggling 2,581 lb-ft of torque. This translates to an otherworldly acceleration, with the Gemera capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.0 seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating production cars ever made.
Koenigsegg also offers an even more potent version of the Gemera, equipped with the optional "Hot V8" engine. This twin-turbocharged V8 engine, based on the one found in the Jesko, boosts the Gemera's power output to a mind-blowing 2,300 horsepower, further solidifying its status as a hypercar monster. Regardless of the engine choice, the Gemera is a technological marvel that showcases Koenigsegg's commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of automotive performance. It's a hypercar that not only delivers breathtaking speed but also offers a unique and unforgettable driving experience.
7. 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
Quarter Mile: 9.3 seconds
Summary
The 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is a legendary homologation special that solidified the brand's dominance in the FIA GT Championship during the late 1990s. While primarily designed as a race car, Mercedes-Benz was obligated to produce a limited number of road-legal versions to comply with racing regulations, resulting in one of the most exclusive and sought-after supercars ever created.
Underneath its aggressive, aerodynamic bodywork, which bore a striking resemblance to its racing counterpart, the CLK GTR housed a 6.9-liter V12 engine. This naturally aspirated powerhouse produced 604 bhp and 572 lb-ft of torque in its street-legal form. This allowed the car to achieve incredible performance figures, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph. Its acceleration was brutal, and its handling was razor-sharp, thanks to its advanced suspension system and race-bred chassis.
The CLK GTR was a true technological marvel, showcasing Mercedes-Benz's engineering expertise and commitment to racing excellence. Its carbon fiber monocoque chassis, sequential gearbox, and aerodynamic design were all derived from the race car, providing exceptional rigidity, responsiveness, and downforce. However, its track-focused nature meant it lacked many of the comforts found in typical road cars, with a spartan interior and a stiff ride.
Despite its uncompromising nature, the CLK GTR remains a highly coveted collector's item and a symbol of the pinnacle of automotive engineering in the late 1990s. Its limited production run of just 25 units, combined with its groundbreaking performance and racing pedigree, make it a true automotive legend.
8. 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Quarter Mile: 9.3 seconds
Summary
The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano is a track-focused iteration of Ferrari's groundbreaking plug-in hybrid supercar, designed to deliver an even more exhilarating and precise driving experience on the circuit. While the standard SF90 Stradale already boasts impressive performance, the Assetto Fiorano package takes it to a whole new level, making it a formidable weapon on any racetrack.
Under the hood, the Assetto Fiorano retains the same revolutionary hybrid powertrain as the standard model. This consists of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, working in harmony with three electric motors, to generate a combined output of 986 horsepower. This prodigious power, managed by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, propels the car from 0 to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars ever produced by Ferrari. It can also reach a top speed of 211 mph, ensuring a thrilling and breathtaking experience on the open road.
The Assetto Fiorano package further enhances the SF90 Stradale's performance with a series of weight-saving measures and aerodynamic enhancements. The car features a titanium exhaust system, Multimatic shock absorbers derived from Ferrari's GT racing experience, and a high-downforce carbon fiber rear wing. These upgrades, combined with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, not only reduce weight but also improve the car's handling, agility, and downforce, making it even more responsive and precise on the track.
9. 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid
Quarter Mile: 9.3 seconds
Summary
The Tesla Model S Plaid is a high-performance electric sedan that has shattered expectations and redefined the capabilities of electric vehicles. It's a testament to Tesla's relentless pursuit of technological innovation and performance engineering, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the automotive world.
The Model S Plaid boasts a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system that produces a staggering 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. This immense power translates to mind-bending acceleration, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds, according to Tesla's claims. This makes it one of the quickest production cars ever made, rivaling and even surpassing some of the world's most exotic hypercars. It also boasts a top speed of 200 mph, making it a true performance machine on the track.
But the Model S Plaid's performance isn't just about straight-line speed. It also features a sophisticated suspension system, torque vectoring, and sticky tires that provide exceptional handling and agility. Its low center of gravity, thanks to the battery pack being located in the floor, further enhances its stability and responsiveness in corners. The Model S Plaid is not just a fast car; it's a well-rounded performance machine that delivers an exhilarating driving experience on both the road and the track.
10. 2023 Pagani Utopia
Quarter Mile: 9.3 seconds
Summary
The Pagani Utopia is an automotive masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of performance and artistry. As the successor to the Huayra, it carries forward Pagani's legacy of creating hypercars that are both incredibly fast and visually stunning.
At the heart of the Utopia lies a bespoke 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, handcrafted by Mercedes-AMG specifically for Pagani. This powerhouse generates a staggering 852 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Utopia to exhilarating speeds. We don't have any official performance figures yet, although the compelling simplicity of its power-to-weight ratio should yield spectacular results.
The Utopia's performance isn't just about raw power; it's also about the purity of the driving experience. Unlike many modern hypercars, the Utopia offers a traditional seven-speed manual transmission or an automated manual transmission, allowing drivers to fully engage with the car and experience the thrill of shifting gears themselves. This purist approach is in line with Pagani's philosophy of creating cars that are not only fast but also enjoyable and rewarding to drive.
The Utopia's design is a testament to Pagani's artistic vision. Its curvaceous bodywork, meticulously crafted from carbon fiber and titanium, is both elegant and aerodynamically efficient. Inside the cabin, drivers are greeted with a luxurious and driver-focused environment, where every detail has been carefully considered. The Utopia is a true work of art, a testament to the passion and craftsmanship that goes into every Pagani creation.