In order to be entered in the world record books, it is necessary to take a cut in two directions. Having said that, it is also possible to take into account a car’s absolute top speed, an area where a certain Swedish brand dominates.
The cars with the best chance of breaking the 500 km/h barrier
5. Koenigsegg Agera RS – 447.07 km/h
In 2017, the Koenigsegg Agera RS wrote itself into the top speed history books when it reached a top speed of 457.85 km/h on a public road in the US state of Nevada. The average in both directions – and thus the official record – was 447.07 km/h.
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The Koenigsegg Agera RS is one of the fastest cars ever driven on public roads. (Photo: Koenigsegg)4. SSC Tuatara – 455.28 km/h
SSC launched its first car, the SSC Ultimate Aero, in 2004. The brand makes supercars of an unmistakable American bent and got on everyone’s radar when in 2020 they conducted a top speed test of their latest creation, the SSC Tuatara, which proved invalid.
In 2022, the car reached 475 km/h during yet another test. The average for both directions was 455.28 km/h and the 1,750 horsepower SSC Tuatara therefore trumped the Swedish Koenigsegg.
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The SSC Tuatara is a very American invention. (Photo: SSC)3. Hennessey Venom F5 – 482.8 km/h
Another Yankee on the list is in the form of Hennessey whose Texas-built cars boast extreme performance. The brand’s current flagship is spelled Venom F5 and is said to have a top speed of 300 miles per hour, equivalent to 482.8 km/h.
The car’s 6.6-liter V8 engine pumps out a whopping 1,817 horsepower and 1,618 newton meters. The Venom F5 is said to have a top speed of over 482.8 km/h, but the American brand has set its sights on an average of just 300 miles per hour.
The predecessor, the Venom GT, managed to reach 435.31 km/h back in 2014.
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For a period, Hennessey produced the world’s fastest car. (Photo: Hennessey)2. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport – 490.37 km/h
When you think of cars with a high top speed, diving often comes to mind Bugatti up. On August 2, 2019, a Chiron Super Sport managed to reach a whopping 490.37 km/h – 304.77 miles per hour – making it the first production car to achieve that feat.
That said, Bugatti didn’t take a cut both ways, which doesn’t make the world record official. Why Bugatti did not choose to attempt to break the 500 km/h barrier remains unclear.
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Bugatti’s record is somewhat controversial, as it was only completed in one direction. (Photo: Bugatti)1. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolute – 531 km/h
Koenigsegg Jesko will be produced in only 125 copies – and all are already sold out. The car can be had in a version called Absolut, where top speed is rewarded. It is said that Koenigsegg will try to break the current record already this year and it is the magical 500 km/h barrier that is in sight.
It is said that the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut should be able to reach over 530 km/h with the help of a series of aerodynamic skills. Exactly what Koenigsegg will succeed in remains to be seen.
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This year, Jesko is said to reach the magical limit of 500 km/h. (Photo: Koenigsegg)