Toward 200 mph
After the Ferrari F40 road car passed the 200 mph mark in 1987, this figure became the badge of honor for any supercar to aspire to. Some machines, German ones especially, had factory-fitted speed limiters to bridle owners’ enthusiasm. The 250 mph Bugatti Veyron went a step further in 2005 with its technical magnificence.
Lamborghini Diablo, 1990
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 5,709 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 202 mph (325 km/h) |
A direct descendant of the Countach from 1974, the Diablo shared the same mechanical layout, and was the last rear-wheel-drive Lamborghini supercar, selling into the new millennium.
Pagani Zonda, 1999
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 7,291 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 220 mph (354 km/h) |
Some early development was done on the Zonda by five-time Formula 1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio. With just 10 cars built each year, it is a rare delicacy.
Lamborghini Murciélago, 2001
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 6,496 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 213 mph (343 km/h) |
The first new model under Volkswagen ownership, the Murcielago was named after a famous fighting bull that survived 28 sword strokes in Spain in 1879.
Bentley Continental Supersport, 2003
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,998 cc, W12 |
| Top speed | 204 mph (328 km/h) |
An attempt to unleash the performance potential of this luxury coupe cued a stripped-out interior, no rear seat, pumped-up suspension, and 630 bhp.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 2009
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,935 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 190 mph (306 km/h) |
The V12 engine shoehorned into the V8 Vantage and pumped up to give more than 500 bhp produces an irresistible combination of performance and agility.
Caparo T1, 2007
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,496 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 205 mph (330 km/h) |
Inspired by racing cars, the T1 was designed by Formula 1 engineers and is powered by an engine descended from Indianapolis racers.
Ferrari Enzo, 2002
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 5,998 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 226 mph (363 km/h) |
The ultimate Ferrari road car when it was released, just 400 models were produced for the most wealthy and discerning customers.
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, 2006
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 5,999 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 205 mph (330 km/h) |
The archetypal Ferrari for the modern age, this civilized coupe with the classic V12 engine up front is blisteringly quick.
Bristol Fighter, 2004
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 7,996 cc, V10 |
| Top speed | 225 mph (362 km/h) |
Produced in very small numbers, strictly to order, the top-of-the-range Fighter T extracts more than 1,000 bhp from its Chrysler Viper engine.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, 2005
| Origin | France |
| Engine | 7,993 cc, W16 |
| Top speed | 253 mph (407 km/h) |
Rumor has it that the company loses money on every car it builds, but the prestige and technology benefits to the parent company are worth it.
Koenigsegg CCX-R, 2006
| Origin | Sweden |
| Engine | 4,719 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 250 mph (402 km/h) |
This car’s engine is based on Ford’s V8, but with almost every component, including the block, modified or re-manufactured to give 800 bhp.
Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722S, 2003
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,439 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 209 mph (336 km/h) |
The 722 in the name is a tribute to the race number of the Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes driven by Sir Stirling Moss in 1955.
Nissan GT-R Spec V, 2007
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 3,799 cc, V6, twin-turbo |
| Top speed | 193 mph (311 km/h) |
A stripped-out version of the standard GT-R, the Spec V features racing front seats, no rear seat, and carbon-fiber, aerodynamic bodywork trim.
Mercedes-Benz SL65, 2003
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 5,980 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Produced in limited numbers, this ultimate version of the SL roadster would exceed 200 mph (322 km/h) if there was no electronic speed limiter fitted in it.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, 2010
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 6,208 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 197 mph (317 km/h) |
An attempt to recapture the spirit of the 1950s 300SL Gullwing, the SLS was designed in-house by AMG and saw action as Formula 1’s safety car.
RUF Porsche CTR3, 2007
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 3,746 cc, flat-six |
| Top speed | 233 mph (375 km/h) |
The highly respected German tuner RUF is famous for its uncompromizing versions of Porsches. This one features weight-saving, carbon-fiber bodywork, and a 691 bhp engine.
Noble M600, 2009
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 4,439 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 225 mph (362 km/h) |
From the company founded by the highly respected maverick car designer Lee Noble, the M600 is thought by some to be one of the finest-handling current supercars.
Lexus LFA, 2010
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 4,805 cc, V10 |
| Top speed | 203 mph (327 km/h) |
The pearl in this oyster is the 1LR-GUE V10 engine that is smaller than most V8s and will rev from turnover to 9,500 rpm in just 0.6 seconds.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
