GUTTER CREDITSlife often moves too quickly—
except in our cars. When
mind-numbing daily commutes
are measured by time in traffic, the
sensation of intense acceleration is
a drug both intoxicating and addic-
tive. But, as with most medication, tolerance is
built over time, requiring a more potent dose and
efficient delivery system.
In 1894, for example, a 3 hp Benz Velo was
considered the fastest production vehicle at 12
mph. A little more than five decades later, that
marker moved to 124.6 mph with the 160 hp
Jaguar XK120. The 200 mph line was crossed in
1987 with the 515 hp RUF CTR and, currently,
the benchmark belongs to the 1,160 hp Koe-
nigsegg Agera RS at 277.87 mph.
Today, the combination of smaller but mus-
cular turbocharged gas engines, hybrid and elec-
tric power trains and ultralight materials makes
possible so-called “megacars,” which pack more
than a megawatt (1,341 hp) of punch and are
ready to hit the 300 mph milestone. Can Koe-
nigsegg’s latest creation establish yet another
record? Will SSC North America reclaim its title
of fastest production car? Or will Hennessey
Special Vehicles slide past both of them?
“Speed is relative,” Hall-of-Fame racer Mario
Andretti once said. “You have to live it. You can’t
just jump into it. You have to live it all the time.”
No doubt the following machines were built on
that mantra.ROBBREPORT.COM 95
L
life often moves too quickly—
except in our cars. When
mind-numbing daily commutes
are measured by time in traffic, the
sensation of intense acceleration is
drug both intoxicating and addic-
tive.But,aswith most medication, tolerance is
builtovertime, requiring a more potent dose and
efficient delivery system.
In 1894, for example, a 3 hp Benz Velo was
considered the fastest production vehicle at 12
mph. A little more than five decades later, that
marker moved to 124.6 mph with the 160 hp
Jaguar XK120. The 200 mph line was crossed in
1987 with the 515 hp RUF CTR and, currently,
the benchmark belongs to the 1,160 hp Koe-
nigsegg Agera RS at 277.87 mph.
Today, the combination of smaller but mus-
cular turbocharged gas engines, hybrid and elec-
tric power trains and ultralight materials makes
possible so-called “megacars,” which pack more
than a megawatt (1,341 hp) of punch and are
ready to hit the 300 mph milestone. Can Koe-
nigsegg’s latest creation establish yet another
record? Will SSC North America reclaim its title
of fastest production car? Or will Hennessey
Special Vehicles slide past both of them?
“Speed is relative,” Hall-of-Fame racer Mario
Andretti once said. “You have to live it. You can’t
just jump into it. You have to live it all the time.”
No doubt the following machines were built on
that mantra.ROBBREPORT.COM 95
L