This is a list of the world's record-breaking top speeds achieved by a street-legal production car (as opposed to concept cars or modified cars). For the purposes of this list eligible cars are defined in the lists rules. This list uses the same definition as the List of automotive superlatives for the sake of consistency and because the term production car is otherwise undefined. The Benz Velo, as the first production car, is an exception.
Video Production car speed record
Difficulties with claims
Comparing claimed speeds of the fastest production cars in the world, especially in historical cases, is difficult as there is no standardized method for determining the top speed and no central authority to verify any such claims. Examples of the difficulties faced were shown up in the dispute between Bugatti and Hennessey over which car was the world's fastest.
Dauer 962 Le Mans
The Dauer 962 Le Mans, introduced in 1993, reached independently measured 404.6 km/h (251.4 mph) in 1998 and was considered as the fastest production car by several publications. But since only 13 cars were built while the rules on this site require a minimum of 25 it doesn't qualify for this list.
Koenigsegg CCR
The Koenigsegg CCR recorded a top speed of 387.866 km/h (241.009 mph) at the Nardò Ring testing facility on 28 February 2005. The record was supervised and accredited by Guinness World Records at the time and a certificate recognising this achievement was awarded, citing the CCR as "The fastest production car... which achieved a speed of 387.866 km/h over a measured kilometre at the Nardo Prototipo proving ground, Italy". 14 examples of the CCR were produced in total, a total production run under 25 units does not qualify the CCR for inclusion on the table below.
Bugatti Veyron limiter removal
On 4 July 2010 the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport reached 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) two-way average. Bugatti built 30 Super Sports (5 of them named World Record Edition). At the time the record was set it was known that the customer cars were electronically limited to 415 km/h (257.87 mph). Guinness Book of Records (which had listed speeds by British cars with modified rev limiter as production car records in the 1990s) listed the unlimited 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) as production car speed record. Yet, 3 years later, after a query by the Sunday Times Guinness' PR director Jaime Strang was quoted: "As the car's speed limiter was deactivated, this modification was against the official guidelines. Consequently, the vehicle's record set at 431.072 km/h is no longer valid." 5 days later it was written on its website: "Guinness World Records would like to confirm that Bugatti's record has not been disqualified; the record category is currently under review." 5 days later Bugatti's speed record was confirmed: "Following a thorough review conducted with a number of external experts, Guinness World Records is pleased to announce the confirmation of Bugatti's record of Fastest production car achieved by the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. The focus of the review was with respect to what may constitute a modification to a car's standard specification. Having evaluated all the necessary information, Guinness World Records is now satisfied that a change to the speed limiter does not alter the fundamental design of the car or its engine."
Hennessey Venom GT one direction run
In 2014, a Hennessey Venom GT was recorded at 435.31 km/h (270.49 mph), but as the run was in one direction only and only 12 cars (+1 prototype) were ever made, it does not qualify under the Guinness Book of Records or this list's criteria as the world's fastest production car. Guinness accepted it as a production car, however.
Maps Production car speed record
List rules
Because of the inconsistencies with the various definitions of production cars, dubious claims by manufacturers and self-interest groups, and inconsistent or changing application of the definitions this list has a defined set of requirements. For further explanation of how these were arrived at see the above link.
Post 1945 and over 124 mph (200 km/h) only
This list is also limited to post World War II production road cars which reached more than 124 mph (200 km/h), older cars are excluded even if they were faster. The Benz Velo as the first petrol driven car is the only exception.
Production car definition
For the purposes of this list a production car is defined as:
- being constructed principally for retail sale to consumers, for their personal use, and to transport people on public roads (no commercial or industrial vehicles are eligible);
- having had 25 or more instances made by the original vehicle manufacturer, and offered for commercial sale to the public in new condition (cars modified by either professional tuners or individuals are not eligible);
- being street-legal in their intended markets, and capable of passing any official tests or inspections required to be granted this status.
Measurement of top speed
To establish the top speed for cars at least since the 1990s the requirement is, in addition to the above, an independent road test with a two-way run. The mean of the top speed for both runs is taken as the car's top speed. In instances where the top speed has been determined by removing the limiter, the test met these requirements, and the car is sold with the limiter on then the limited speed is accepted as meeting this requirement. For the McLaren F1 the estimation by Car and Driver about the speed at the rev-limiter is used.
Record-breaking production vehicles
See also
- History of the automobile
- Land speed record
- List of fastest production cars by acceleration - note that this list uses a different definition of a production car to both the list of fastest production cars and the list of automotive superlatives
Cars excluded from the list together with basic reason
References
Further reading
- Wood, Jonathan (2005). The Ultimate History of Fast Cars. Parragon Publishing. ISBN 1-4054-5467-9.
- Brown, Langworth; Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (1998). Great Cars of The 20th Century. Publications International. ISBN 0-7853-2523-9.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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