The fastest car in the world in October 2026 is the Yangwang U9 Xtreme at 308.4 mph (496 km/h), with the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ at 304.77 mph the fastest run that was independently verified. This list ranks production and limited-run street cars by the best top speed run published for them, and we flag how solid each run is. Our original 2017 version was topped by the Bugatti Chiron’s 288 mph claim, which has since been passed more than once.
Fastest cars in the world: summary table
| Rank | Car | Top speed | When | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yangwang U9 Xtreme | 308.4 mph (496 km/h) | September 2025 | One-way run, not ratified |
| 2 | Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ | 304.77 mph (490 km/h) | 2 August 2019 | TUV-verified, pre-production prototype |
| 3 | SSC Tuatara | 295 mph (475 km/h) | 14 May 2022 (282.9 mph two-way in January 2021) | One-way 295 mph, two-way 282.9 mph |
| 4 | Koenigsegg Agera RS | 277.87 mph (447 km/h) | 2017 | Two-way average, GPS verified |
| 5 | Hennessey Venom GT | 270.49 mph (435 km/h) | 2014 | One-way run, 13 built |
| 6 | Bugatti Veyron Super Sport | 267.86 mph (431 km/h) | 4 July 2010 | Two-way average, Guinness confirmed |
| 7 | Rimac Nevera | 256 mph (412 km/h) | November 2022 | Manufacturer video, electric |
| 8 | SSC Ultimate Aero | 256.14 mph (412 km/h) | 9 October 2007 | Guinness verified |
| 9 | Bugatti Veyron 16.4 | 253.81 mph (408 km/h) | 2005 | Original Veyron |
| 10 | Dauer 962 Le Mans | 251.4 mph (405 km/h) | 1993 | Road-legal Le Mans conversion |
Top 10 fastest cars in the world in 2026
1. Yangwang U9 Xtreme: 308.4 mph (496 km/h)
BYD’s electric Yangwang U9 Xtreme recorded 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph) in a September 2025 test in Germany. Output is about 2,977 hp across four motors, and production is limited to roughly 30 units for global markets. The run was one-way, so record lists that require a two-way average do not accept it. The standard U9 launched in China in 2024 at 1.68 million yuan.
How we valued it: Published one-way top speed from the maker’s September 2025 test. Treated as a claim, not a ratified record.
2. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+: 304.77 mph (490 km/h)
Test driver Andy Wallace reached 490.484 km/h (304.773 mph) at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien track in a pre-production prototype, with the speed verified by TUV. Bugatti built 30 of the 300+ at a net price of 3.5 million euros, plus a standard Super Sport. Customer cars are electronically limited.
How we valued it: Verified run on a pre-production prototype. We rank it on that run and flag that customer cars are limited.
3. SSC Tuatara: 295 mph (475 km/h)
SSC’s first claim of 316 mph in October 2020 was disputed. The accepted figures came later at Space Florida’s runway: a 282.9 mph two-way average on 17 January 2021 and a 295 mph one-way run on 14 May 2022, both with GPS data logging. Output is 1,350 hp on E85 fuel, and 100 cars are planned.
How we valued it: Verified GPS runs at Space Florida. The 2021 two-way average is the figure we treat as firm.
4. Koenigsegg Agera RS: 277.87 mph (447 km/h)
The Agera RS set a GPS-verified two-way average of 277.87 mph in 2017, with a best one-way speed of 285 mph. It was limited to 25 cars.
How we valued it: Two-way average from the 2017 record runs.
5. Hennessey Venom GT: 270.49 mph (435 km/h)
Hennessey’s Venom GT reached 270.49 mph in a single-direction test in 2014. Only 13 were built, and the run lacked the two-way average that record keepers require.
How we valued it: Single-direction 2014 run.
6. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: 267.86 mph (431 km/h)
The Veyron Super Sport averaged 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) with its limiter off, and Guinness World Records confirmed the record after a short dispute in 2013. All 30 cars shipped limited to 415 km/h (257.87 mph). The World Record Car Edition went on sale for 1.99 million euros.
How we valued it: Two-way average with limiter removed for the record cars.
7. Rimac Nevera: 256 mph (412 km/h)
Rimac released footage of the Nevera at 412 km/h (256 mph) at the Automotive Testing Papenburg track in November 2022. In July 2025 the track-focused Nevera R set 24 records, including 0 to 400 to 0 km/h in 25.79 seconds. That figure has since been beaten by the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut at 25.21 seconds.
How we valued it: Manufacturer-released top speed run.
8. SSC Ultimate Aero: 256.14 mph (412 km/h)
The Ultimate Aero’s 256.14 mph run was inspected and verified by Guinness World Records on 9 October 2007. It is the car the Tuatara replaced.
How we valued it: Guinness-verified 2007 run.
9. Bugatti Veyron 16.4: 253.81 mph (408 km/h)
The original Veyron reached 253.81 mph in 2005, the figure that set the bar for the Veyron Super Sport five years later.
How we valued it: Published 2005 top speed.
10. Dauer 962 Le Mans: 251.4 mph (405 km/h)
Dauer converted the Porsche 962 Le Mans racer for road use in the early 1990s. A 1993 test measured 251.4 mph.
How we valued it: Published 1993 test figure.
Cars close to the list but not ranked
The Hennessey Venom F5 targets more than 311 mph from a twin-turbo 6.6 litre V8 making up to 1,817 hp, and the later 36-car Revolution version adds more downforce, but we found no verified top speed run for it yet. Later cars were priced at $2.1 million. The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is designed for a very low drag figure of Cd 0.278, and its 300 mph plus figure comes from simulation, not a run. The McLaren F1 from our old list reached 240.1 mph with a raised rev limiter and has dropped out of the top 10.
How we rank top speed
We rank by the best published speed on a real run. Two-way averages count as firm, one-way runs and prototype runs are flagged. Record keepers apply stricter rules than we do: they require two runs in opposite directions and a car sold in the same specification as the one tested, which is why the U9 Xtreme and the Chiron 300+ prototype are listed here as claims.
Watch on Alux
Watch our original Top 10 Fastest Cars video (from the 2017 list).
Keep reading
- 10 things to know about the Bugatti Chiron: the car that started this ranking.
- Bugatti Veyron vs Koenigsegg race: a head-to-head of two record chasers.
- NIO EP9 electric car facts: an earlier electric speed record holder.
FAQ
What is the fastest car in the world in 2026?
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme, with a one-way run of 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph) in September 2025. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ prototype holds the best verified run at 304.77 mph.
Is the Bugatti Chiron still the fastest car?
No. The Chiron Super Sport 300+ prototype reached 304.77 mph in 2019, and the Yangwang U9 Xtreme went faster in 2025. Customer Chirons are electronically limited.
Why does the Yangwang U9 Xtreme not hold the official record?
Its run was one-way, and record lists require a two-way average from runs in opposite directions.
What is the fastest car with a two-way verified speed?
The SSC Tuatara with a 282.9 mph two-way average in January 2021, ahead of the Koenigsegg Agera RS at 277.87 mph from 2017.
Is the Hennessey Venom F5 the fastest car?
Not yet. Hennessey targets more than 311 mph, but we found no verified top speed run for it.
Is the fastest car also the most expensive?
No. The standard U9 launched at 1.68 million yuan, while the Chiron Super Sport 300+ cost 3.5 million euros net. Price and speed do not track each other.
Last updated: October 2026.
