Supercars vs Hypercars – What are Hypercars?

Hypercars Vs Supercars

As a personal preference, we don’t really use the term “hypercar” while we prefer supercar as a catchall term to describe ultra-exotic high-performance cars. Nevertheless, many exotic car fanatics insist that there should be a distinction between the two and continue using the two terms when they deem it appropriate. We know the basic definition of a hypercar as defined and accepted by most car guys, but first let’s start with the meaning of what is a supercar.

We would consider the definition of a supercar to be an eye catching factory stock car which accelerates faster and is more expensive than at least 98% of the other cars manufactured in the same year. Although this supercar definition is what we believe to be acceptable, it is subjective and therefore widely disputed among performance car enthusiasts. Take for instance the awesome Ariel Atom which has neck snapping acceleration, however can be acquired for as little as $60,000 new. It’s a qualified supercar for its radical eye catching appearance and acceleration factors, but falls short on the stratospheric price element.

Another example that stirs controversy with the hard line definition is for a supercar and hypercar is the 2015+ Corvette Z06. Since this car slays supercars costing 5X as much, no one argues the Vettes supercar level performance. However with a sticker price starting at *only* 80 grand, a platform based on the common base model, and lacking in the usual supercar rarity, the latest Z06 is one those that half of enthusiasts will say deserves to be here, while the other half not. Both will be right.

Other car enthusiasts argue that modified cars such as the Hennessey Venom 1000TT Dodge Viper or the Lingenfelter Twin Turbo C5 Corvette should qualify as legit supercars. We disagree and believe that only factory stock high-performance cars should meet the criteria, otherwise the definition of a supercar becomes drastically more vague and arbitrary.

Finally, still other enthusiasts believe that proper supercars can’t be based on the body of lesser models and must be built on a dedicated platform. For example, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Porsche GT2 in our list below would not qualify under this perspective.

The term hypercar seems to be used more and more each year. We simply define a hypercar as a top-tier supercar that bests all or most of the elements of standard supercars including, but not limited to, acceleration, price, rarity, handling, top speed, sound and appearance. As with supercars, there is also much debate as to what constitutes a true hypercar.

 

Some examples of HYPERCARS:

List of Hypercars

Arrinera Hussarya
Ascari A10
Aston Martin One-77
Aston Martin Valkyrie
Aston Martin Vulcan
Bugatti Chiron
Bugatti Chiron Sport
Bugatti Divo
Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Viteese 16.4
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
Falcon F7
Ferrai FXX
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari F40
Ferrari F50
Ferrari FXX Enzo
Ferrari LaFerrari
Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio
Gumpert Apollo
Hennessey Venom F5
Hennessey Venom GT
Jaguar XJ220
Koenigsegg Agera R
Koenigsegg Agera RS
Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita
Koenigsegg One:1
Koenigsegg Regera
Lamborghini Aventador
Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster
Lamborghini Centenario
Lamborghini Reventòn
Lamborghini Veneno Roadster
Lykan Hypersport
Maserati MC12
Maybach Exelero
McLaren F1
McLaren P1
McLaren Senna
Mercedes CLK GTR AMG
Mercedes-AMG One
Mosler MT900S
Pagani Huayra
Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche Carrera GT
Rimac Concept One
Rimac concept S
Saleen S7 TT
SSC Tuatara
SSC Ultimate Aero
Ultima GTR
Vector W8
Zenvo ST1
Zenvo TS1 GT

 

Some examples of SUPERCARS:

List of Supercars

Acura NSX
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato
Audi R8 GT
BAC Mono
BMW M1
Dodge Viper ACR
Ferrari 288 GTO
Ferrari 488
Ferrari 512TR
Ferrari 575 Superamerica
Ferrari 599 GTB
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Ford GT
Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster
Lamborghini Countach
Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera
Lotus Esprit V8
Lamborghini Huracan Performante
Lamborghini Miura
Lexus LFA
Lotus Esprit V8
McLaren 570S
McLaren 650S
McLaren 720S
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722
Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing
Noble M400
Noble M600
Porsche 911 Turbo S
Porsche 959
Porsche GT2
Porsche GT3 RS
Spyker C8 Aileron
TVR Sagaris

 

Some examples of CONTROVERSIAL SUPERCARS:

Although many of the cars listed in the supercar and hypercar list have been debated among enthusiasts at one time or another, the cars listed below are some of the more frequently brought up cars. Post a comment below and say whether you think these “controversial supercars” are merely sports cars or indeed supercars.

Ariel Atom
Bentley Continental GT Supersports
BMW i8
Corvette ZR1
Dodge Demon
Lotus Esprit V8
Dodge Viper (Standard trim)
Mustang Shelby GT500
Nissan GT-R NISMO
Tesla Model S P100D

Although there is a great deal of debate about the exact models that qualify as a supercar or hypercar, there are a few high-performance cars that are so amazing that not many would dare question their hypercar status.  For example, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, Koenigsegg Agera R, Caparo T1 or the Ferrari FXX Enzo would certainly go into the hyper car column.   Post a comment below and cast your vote on the best hypercar in the poll.

 

Hypercar & Supercar Pictures:

Which Hypercar is the best?

What is the leading factor that determines if a car is a Supercar?

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