The Fastest Accelerating Cars In The World, Ranked

Check out the blisteringly fast 0-60 mph times of these ultimate performance machines.

In the automotive space, the "quickest car" title is only temporary. No matter how well-engineered a car is, it will eventually be dethroned and returned to the ranks of regulars by something even better. We've seen this with the porsche 918 spyder in the last decade, when it reigned supreme as the fastest-accelerating car in the world for several years, only to be later unseated by the likes of the Aspark Owl, Rimac Nevera and Pininfarina Battista. Even those cars have since been ousted, with the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 becoming the new king of the hill.

Certainly, with advances in technological innovations and design, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 will also go the way of all ephemeral creations sooner or later. But until then, let’s take a look at the 10 quickest cars in the world, what motivates them, and how promptly they can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph.

While compiling this list, we referenced data from various sources, including the relevant manufacturers' websites such as Zero To 60 Times. For more high-octane rankings, see our fastest SUVs in the world rankings, fastest supercars in the world rankings, and overall fastest cars in the world rankings.

Engine

6.2-liter supercharged LT5 V8

Power

1,200 hp

0-60 MPH

2.3 seconds

Top Speed

250+ mph

Quarter Mile

9.2 seconds at 156mph

Drive Type

RWD

Gearbox

6-speed manual transmission

Ultima Sports isn't the name that first comes to mind when you think of a fast-accelerating car. However, the RS earned its place in this list with the kind of performance numbers that excite enthusiasts. Although the Ultima RS is available with three GM-sourced V8 engine options, the most capable powertrain is a 6.2-liter supercharged LT5 V8 tuned to produce a whopping 1,200 hp. With that much power, 0–60 mph sprints take a brief 2.3 seconds.

Engine

6.2-liter supercharged V8

Power

840 hp

Torque

770 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.3 seconds

Top Speed

168 mph (theoretical)

Quarter Mile

9.65 seconds at 140 mph

Drive Type

RWD

Gearbox

8-speed automatic transmission

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has had its day as the quickest car in the world. Not only was it the fastest 0-60 mph production car at the time of its release, but it was also the world's fastest quarter-mile production vehicle, with a record of 9.65 seconds at 140 mph. That record was achieved thanks to a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that makes up to 840 hp (when fed 100 plus high octane race gas; otherwise, it generates 808 horses) and 770 lb-ft of torque.

Engine

4.6-liter V8 paired and two electric motors

Power

887 hp

Torque

944 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.3 seconds

Top Speed

211 mph

Quarter Mile

9.8 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission

OK, numbers like 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds, 9.8-second quarter-mile time, or 211 mph top speed, won't blow many minds in 2023, but back when Porsche's first hypercar was first released in 2013, that 0-60 mph sprint time was enough to make it the quickest car in the world, supplanting the 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, which shoots to 60 mph in 2.4 ticks. Not to mention, the 918 was the first street-legal production car to break the 7-minute barrier around Germany's world-famous Nurburgring road course, with a lap time of 6:57.

The Spyder's impressive performance is aided by a 4.6-liter V8 paired with two electric motors to produce 887 total horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque, with that power distributed to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Engine

Quad-turbo, 8.0-liter W16

Power

1,578 hp

Torque

1,106 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.2 seconds

Top Speed

273 mph

Quarter Mile

9.1 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

7-speed dual-clutch automatic

As you would expect from a Bugatti, acceleration from the Chiron Super Sport is a breathtaking experience. Equipped with a quad-turbo, 8.0-liter W16 engine making 1,578 horses and 1,180 pound-feet of torque, the hypercar scoots to 60 mph in a mere 2.2 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 9.1 seconds. Top speed is an outrageous 273 mph.

Engine

Quad-turbo, 8.0-liter W16

Power

1,479 hp

Torque

1,180 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.2 seconds

Top Speed

218 mph

Quarter Mile

9.1 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

7-speed dual-clutch automatic

One of the best-handling cars in the world, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 2.2 seconds and clear the quarter mile in a notable 9.1 seconds. In this car, Bugatti combined aerodynamics, downforce, and supreme handling poise with a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that's capable of stratospheric numbers, such as 1,479 horses and 1,180 lb-ft of torque, which get to the ground via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

RELATED: The Fastest Cars In The World Right Now, Ranked

Engine

Twin-turbo 3.7-liter flat-six

Power

640 hp

Torque

590 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.1 seconds

Top Speed

205 mph

Quarter Mile

9.9 seconds at 138 mph

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

8-speed dual-clutch automatic

With 640 hp on tap from a twin-turbo 3.7-liter flat-six mill, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is the most powerful German sports car you can buy right now. Throw in the $10,340 Lightweight Package, and you have a compelling luxury sports car that sprints to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds. That's some 5 seconds better than Porsche's conservative 2.6 seconds 0-60 mph estimate for the standard 911 Turbo S, which actually darts to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds, according to independent tests.

Engine

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 + three electric motors

Power

986 hp

Torque

590 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.0 seconds

Top Speed

211 mph

Quarter Mile

9.5 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

8-speed twin-clutch automatic

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is already an impressive performer. But the lightweight Assetto Fiorano package elevates it into an exceptionally fast track weapon capable of producing mind-boggling numbers, such as 0-60 mph in a scant 2.0 seconds (vs. 2.4 seconds for the standard SF90 Stradale) and a quarter-mile time of 9.5 seconds. That performance is courtesy of three electric motors that combine with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 to produce 986 total horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Alone, the V8 generates 769 horsepower, while the remaining 217 hp comes from the three electric motors.

To improve the Assetto Fiorano's performance over the 'regular' SF90 Stradale, Ferrari, among other things, equipped it with motorsport-derived Multimatic shocks featuring titanium springs, carbon-fiber door panels and underbody, bigger rear spoiler for more downforce, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (instead of the standard Pirelli P Zero), and a titanium exhaust system. The result is a car that's 66 pounds lighter and much more capable on track than the standard SF.

Engine

Three electric motors

Power

1,020 hp

Torque

1,050 lb-ft

Range

396 miles

0-60 MPH

1.9 seconds

Top Speed

200 mph

Quarter Mile

9.23 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

1-speed direct-drive transmission

The Tesla Model S Plaid is a car of extraordinary personality. It is currently the fastest and most powerful Tesla model, and it's got an insane ability to blow even the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of this world out of the water in a straight line. Powered by a tri-motor engine producing 1,020 hp, the Model S Plaid rockets to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 9.23 seconds. Its top speed is 200 mph.

RELATED: These Are The Fastest 2023 Sports Cars Under $100,000

Engine

2.0-liter twin-turbo three-cylinder and three electric motors; 5.0-liter V8 paired with a single e-motor

Power

1,700-2,300 hp

Torque

2,028-2,583 lb-ft

Electric-Only Range

31 miles

0-62 MPH

1.9 seconds

Top Speed

248 mph

Quarter Mile

8.8 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

9-speed seven-clutch Light Speed Transmission

From its humble CC8S beginnings to the heights of its fame with the likes of the Agera RS, One:1, Jesko, and the insane Jesko Absolut, Koenigsegg has made some of the world's fastest cars over the years. But as far as 0-60 mph times go, none comes close to the Gemera, which also happens to be the first four-seater hypercar in the world. The Gemera owes its staggering performance to a 2.0-liter twin-turbo three-cylinder paired with three electric motors motivated by a 15-kWh battery pack to provide 1,700 total horsepower and 2,581 lb-ft of torque. With that much potency, the Koenigsegg Gemera can achieve a 0-62 mph time of 1.9 seconds. Koenigsegg will also offer the Gemera with an optional $400,000 5.0-liter V8 paired with a single e-motor called Dark Matter for a whopping 2,300 total horsepower and 2,028 lb-ft of torque when fed E85 fuel.

Engine

Three electric motors

Power

1,200+ hp

Range

400+ miles

0-60 MPH

1.89 seconds

Top Speed

205 mph

Quarter Mile

9.2 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

1-speed automatic

Lucid Motors' battery electric four-door sedan has been received so well since its introduction that the Newark-based automaker launched an ultra-high-performance variant for performance enthusiasts aptly named Sapphire. It offers a wide array of tech, meticulously crafted seats, and pushes performance up a notch, due in part to a trio of electric motors that combine to produce more than 1,200 horsepower – meaning the Lucid Air Sapphire is currently the most powerful sedan you can buy. Needless to say, that also means you're looking at one of the fastest sedans in the world, both in terms of top speed and 0-60 mph. It can get from 0-60 mph in 1.89 ticks and has a top speed of 205 mph.

Engine

Four electric motors

Power

1,914 hp

Torque

1,741 lb-ft

Range

400 miles

0-60 MPH

1.85 seconds

Top Speed

258 mph

Quarter Mile

8.58 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

1-speed direct-drive transmission

The Rimac Nevera is a charming, fast-looking all-electric sports car with the performance to back those looks up. The 2-door coupé features a 120-kWh battery pack feeding four electric motors that produce 1,914 hp and 1,741 lb-ft of torque. It sprints from zero to 60 mph in 1.85 seconds and boasts a top speed of 258 mph.

RELATED: 10 Fast SUVs We'd Choose Over The Ferrari Purosangue

Engine

Four electric motors

Power

1,900

Torque

1,696 lb-ft

Range

295 miles

0-60 MPH

1.79 seconds

Top Speed

218 mph

Quarter Mile

8.55 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

1-speed automatic

Too pretty to meet your need for speed? Best believe it can. Although packaged in an alluring, streamlined design that might make some think it's more style than power, the 2022 Pininfarina Battista can unleash mammoth performance in the blink of an eye. That's partly because this hypercar is propelled by four electric motors making a combined 1,900 horsepower and 1,741 lb-ft of torque. That enormous output makes it capable of delivering eye-popping acceleration numbers, like 0-60 mph in 1.79 seconds and a top speed of 218 mph.

Engine

Four permanent magnet synchronous motors

Power

2,012 hp

Torque

1,475 lb-ft

Range

280 miles

0-60 MPH

1.72 seconds

Top Speed

260 mph

Quarter Mile

8.73 seconds

Drive Type

AWD

The Aspark Owl is Japan's answer to all-electric hypercars such as the Pininfarina Battista and Rimac Nevera. The 2-door coupé carves something out for itself in automotive history books by becoming the fastest-accelerating electric car in the world, thanks to four permanent magnet synchronous motors that produce a combined 2,012 horsepower and 1,475 pound-feet of torque. This allows it to scoot from 0-60 mph in 1.72 seconds, 0-186 mph in 10.6 seconds, and on to a top speed of 260 mph.

Engine

Supercharged 6.2-liter V8

Power

1,025 hp

Torque

945 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

1.66 seconds

Top Speed

NA

Quarter Mile

8.91 seconds at 151 mph

Drive Type

RWD

Gearbox

8-speed automatic

The fastest car in the world from zero to 60? Definitely. Despite questions over Dodge's 0-60 claim, the presumably correct 0-60 mph time of 1.79 seconds is still mind-blowing by any yardstick. This drag strip king rewrites the rulebook for muscle cars by doing exactly what any modern muscle car should do: offering the latest and greatest performance features. At the heart of the beast lies a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque when fed E85 fuel. On E10 gasoline, output drops to 900 hp and 810 lb-ft. That peak output not only makes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 the fastest car in the world from 0-60 mph, but also the world's most powerful muscle car.

Monday Goma delights in writing about cars. He has written buyer's guides, car reviews, product reviews, etc., for a bunch of car dealership sites in the U.S. When not writing about cars, Monday can often be found either playing FIFA or researching new automotive technologies. Monday is married to a very devout, hardworking, strong-willed, and truly remarkable woman.