The automotive industry has come a long way since the term ‘supercar’ was first used to describe a Bentley Ensign 6 in 1920. In recent years, a certain breed of car has emerged, one that simultaneously breaks speed records while also offering decadent luxury.
But in a market full of cars that can exceed 500 horsepower, it can be difficult to stand out from the supercar crowd. With nearly every sports car vying for ‘supercar’ designation, a new category has emerged that takes the best of the best and launches them into a league of their own: hypercars.
Hypercars represent the pinnacle of performance, design, exclusivity, and price. Their technical specs, capabilities, and aesthetics would excite any car enthusiast, but there is much more to these vehicles than what’s on the surface. If you want to dig a little deeper and get under the hood of these world-class vehicles, read on to learn more.
1. Hypercars Take Supercars to a Whole New Level
At first glance, hypercars and supercars may appear to be very similar, but when you look closer, you’ll notice there are a few distinct differences.
To begin with, all hypercars are supercars, but not all supercars are hypercars. Hypercars cover the most cutting-edge, advanced, and high-performing supercars available on the market, including models such as the Bugatti Chiron, McLaren F1, and the Koenigsegg Agera. These cars represent the finest standards of the automotive industry in terms of technology, performance, and appearance, and serve as a model for all other supercars to aspire to.
2. 500 Horsepower Is an Absolute Minimum for Hypercars
Anybody who takes auto mechanic courses knows that one of the most important marks of a car’s performance is its horsepower. That’s why horsepower is a major factor in determining whether a hypercar has actually earned its title. Many supercars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Ford GT can go from 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds, but hypercars such as the Ferrari LaFerrari and Koenigsegg One: 1 have enough horsepower to accelerate in only 2.5 seconds.
3. Students in Mechanics Courses Know that Exclusivity Is Key
Hypercars, unsurprisingly, aren’t something you’re just going to see cruising down the highway during your morning commute (unless, of course, that highway is in Monaco or Beverly Hills). These cars are exceedingly rare with often only a handful produced. That means they are also extremely expensive, with the top hypercars being toys that only the wealthiest of the wealthy can afford. A “basic” Bugatti Veyron, for example, costs a minimum of $1.7 million, with an oil change alone coming in at $25,000.
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