When the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat showed up back in 2014, it shook the entire automotive industry with its unheard of 707 hp rating. Then Dodge announced plans to build a Charger Hellcat, as well. Not only could muscle car fans buy a Challenger with more than 700 hp for less than $70,000, but they could also buy a full-size sedan with the same engine.
Four years and one long-term Hellcat later, we were curious. Since the Hellcat twins went on sale, how many production cars have been introduced with at least 700 hp? To keep things simple, we decided not to count a car if fewer than 100 will ever be built. With that important caveat in place, here are the 14 newest members of the 700-hp club.
Aston Martin Valkyrie
We haven’t been able to test the Valkyrie yet, but anything built to drive like a barely street-legal Formula 1 car has to be awesome. It gets a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12 that makes more than 1,000 hp, easily earning its spot on this list. And with 150 Valkyries planned, it technically meets our production requirement.
Bentley Continental Supersports
Earlier this year, Bentley revealed the new 626-hp Continental GT. But to give the old car a proper send-off, Bentley created the Continental Supersports. Using a 6.0-liter W-12, the Supersports made 700 hp and topped out at 209 mph. You can even still buy the convertible version if you’re OK with a slightly lower 205-mph top speed.
Bugatti Chiron
The Chiron was never going to be as revolutionary as the Veyron, but that’s OK. It’s much better looking, more refined, and more fun to drive than the Veyron. Oh, and its 8.0-liter W-12 cranks out 1,479 hp. Not many people will be able to afford its nearly $3 million starting price, but we have a feeling Bugatti will find at least 500 buyers.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The current Corvette has been around since the 2014 model year, meaning it’s scheduled for a full redesign in the next few years. To give the C7 a proper sendoff, Chevrolet took the already-track-focused Z06 and made it even more wild. Among other things, the ZR1 gets a massive wing, improved cooling, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 755 hp.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
With 707 hp under the hood, the regular Challenger Hellcat was already plenty powerful. But instead of stopping there, Dodge created the Demon. On 100-octane race gas, the Challenger Demon makes 840 hp and can hit 60 mph in a claimed 2.1 seconds on a drag strip. Not bad for $86,090.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
The Ferrari 812 Superfast may have a silly name, but there’s nothing silly about a 789-hp Ferrari powered by a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12. It will also hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 211 mph.
Ferrari 488 Pista
Named after the Italian word for “racetrack,” the 488 Pista promises to be as close to a street-legal race car as Ferrari could get. It will probably lay down some incredible lap times, but for the purpose of this list, power is what’s important. And with 711 hp now on tap, the 488 Pista has the most powerful V-8 that Ferrari’s ever put in a production car.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
While other automakers spend billions of dollars developing new cars from the ground up, Fiat Chrysler is busy figuring out how to fit the Hellcat engine into everything it makes. After driving the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, we’re convinced that’s a good thing. For $87,000, you can buy a 707-hp SUV that will hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.
Lamborghini Aventador S
Thanks to rear-wheel steering, the Aventador S corners much better than before. It also gets an updated aero kit that significantly improves downforce. But while owners will appreciate those improvements, a different improvement jumps out to us. The Aventador S makes 40 hp more than the previous Aventador SV, bringing the total to 730 hp.
McLaren 720S
Yes, $288,845 is a lot of money for a car, but after looking at the McLaren 720S’ performance figures it starts to sound like a bargain. In our first test, the 720S beat the Bugatti Veyron’s quarter-mile time and lapped Big Willow faster than the Porsche 918 Spyder and the new Ford GT. Only a small part of that can be attributed to the 720S’ 710-hp V-8, but having that much power certainly helps.
McLaren Senna
To create the Senna, McLaren took the 720S, added the P1’s brakes and suspension, then reworked the body panels to optimize the car’s aerodynamic performance. Then, for good measure, McLaren tuned the engine to make 789 hp. It might not be the prettiest thing on four wheels, but for 500 lucky buyers, the Senna is about as close to a street-legal race car as it gets.
Mercedes-AMG Project One
Like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Mercedes-AMG built the Project One to adapt Formula 1 technology for the streets. But as the more conventional bodywork suggests, the Project One takes an extremely different approach. Instead of a huge V-12, Mercedes-AMG made the Project One a 1.6-liter V-6 hybrid. A 1,000-hp hybrid.
Pagani Huayra Roadster
Technically, the Huayra Roadster is based on the older hardtop, but Pagani did enough reengineering that we’ll let it count. With only 100 planned, the Huayra Roadster also barely meets our production requirement. Still, it has a 754-hp V-12 built by AMG, so we say it makes the cut.
Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Believe it or not, a base 911 GT2 RS costs more than the McLaren 720S. As crazy as that may sound, you do get a lot of car for your money. The twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six makes an even 700 hp, which is enough to launch the 911 GT2 RS to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. Keep going, and it will keep accelerating up to 211 mph. No wonder Porsche calls it “the alpha animal of the GT stable.”
The post Move Over, Hellcat: These are the 14 Newest Members of the 700-HP Club appeared first on Motor Trend.
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