Hybrids were usually seen as a replacement for regular cars, offering better efficiency and reducing pollution. Because of this image, they are usually branded as being boring and slow. Some popular hybrids like the Toyota Prius were a success in terms of success purely owing to the efficiency on offer. However, hybrid technology is versatile, and several manufacturers have implemented the same to improve performance factors as well.
A majority of modern supercars use a hybrid powertrain, the most popular among which was the Ferrari LaFerrari, Mclaren P1, and the Porsche 918 back in 2013. Since then, the hybrid market has grown considerably, and several other manufacturers have stepped foot in the ring. Hybrid powertrains provide better response, especially when combined with a powerful IC unit and power electric motors to fill in the gaps. Let’s take a look at the top 10 fastest hybrid cars in the US market right now.
Currently the flagship offering by the manufacturer, the SF90 Stradale is the fastest car ever produced by Ferrari. Like the LaFerrari, the SF90 also gets a unique hybrid powertrain. It comes equipped with a 4L twin-turbo V8 and a relatively large 7.9 kWh battery powering three electric motors. The motors produce 217 hp combined, and with the engine producing 769 hp, the power output is boosted to 986 hp. This prancing horse can hit 0-60 MPH in just 2.5 seconds, and at full throttle, the SF90 can hit a top speed of 211 MPH, making it one of the fastest hybrids on the planet. What’s more interesting is that you also get an all-electric driving range of 16 miles.
Aston Martin has also turned towards hybrid powertrain tech to boost the performance factor. Priced at around $3 million, the Valkyrie takes a no-compromise approach to performance, combining a massive 6.5L V-12 Cosworth engine and Rimac’s hybrid system. This combined system churns out 1,160 hp. Moreover, there’s also an AMR Pro variant solely built for track with elements borrowed from F1 race cars. Unlike some other options on this list, the hybrid system of the Valkyrie works differently. You don’t get a large battery pack, and the system is only able to assist the engine and cannot run the supercar on all-electric power alone. Functioning like a KERS system on F1 cars, the Rimac-designed system will help fill in the gaps when maximum performance is required. And it shoots from 0-60MPH in just 2.5 seconds.
With the Speedtail, McLaren has focused on aerodynamics and top speed rather than outright acceleration. Capable of reaching a top speed of 250 mph, this road missile is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V-8. This unit churns out 747 hp, and combined with a 309 hp electric motor, power output at the wheels stands at 1035 hp and 848 lb-ft. This hypercar can hit 0-186 mph in under 12.8 seconds; that’s some mind-boggling acceleration.
After several years of waiting, the Mercedes-AMG One is finally out in the wild. Unlike other options on this list, the AMG One comes the closest to an F1 car, complete with a small 1.6L turbocharged V-6 engine. Adapting this engine for road use is what took AMG all this while to launch the One. Along with the powerful firecracker of an engine, the AMG One also gets four electric motors to help it along, resulting in a combined output of 1000 hp.
Part of the holy trinity and one of the first high-performance hybrid cars to be launched, the Porsche 918 still remains competitive all these years later. Porsche 918 gets a powerful hybrid system with two 277 hp electric motors (one at each axle). Combined with the 4.6L V-8, the output stands at 875 hp, propelling it to a top speed of 211 MPH. Since its launch, Porsche has introduced packages like the Weissach package to improve performance by removing weight.
Built as a homage to the original Countach, the Countach LPI 800-4 is based on the Sián FKP 37 and shares most of its components, including the 6.5L naturally-aspirated V-12 powertrain. To boost performance, the engine is assisted by a 34hp 48V electric motor mounted to the gearbox to fill in the gaps. Instead of a battery, the Countach gets a supercapacitor for better performance and reduced weight. During acceleration, the motor will help avoid performance delays when shifting gears to smooth out acceleration. And it hits 0-60 MPH in 2.8 seconds.
McLaren P1 was one of the first-ever supercars to implement hybrid technology purely to improve performance. It comes equipped with a 176 hp electric motor and a 3.8L twin-turbocharged V-8 engine churning out 903 hp combined. And the P1 remains one of the fastest supercars ever built. McLaren also introduced a new race mode that lowered the car and improved downforce- a whopping 1320 lbs through the adaptive wing. The P1 is also capable of all-electric driving for a few miles thanks to the 4.7 kWh battery. But, like most options on this list, the primary purpose of the electric motor is for better acceleration without any loss of power through the gear changes.
Introduced in 2016, the Regera gets one of the most unique powertrains in existence. At its heart is a massive 5.0L twin-turbocharged V-8 engine producing 1,160 hp by itself. The engine is assisted by three electric motors, producing 220 hp at the crankshaft and 240 hp at the rear wheels, giving the Regera a combined output of 1,500 hp and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. Instead of a traditional gearbox, the Regera uses a unique direct-drive system with just one gear. The engine and electric motors provide seamless acceleration in one smooth curve. And it can go from 0-249 mph in just 31.49 seconds which is a world record.
Coming to the second Ferrari on this list, the Ferrari 296 GTB is an all-new, plug-in-hybrid that follows a similar principle- a rather small displacement engine for a Ferrari and hybrid integration. It comes equipped with a mid-mounted 654hp 3.0L twin-turbocharged V-6 engine assisted by a 164 hp electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. Combined power output stands at 819 hp and it can hit 0-60 MPH in 2.9 seconds. At full throttle, it can reach a top speed of 205 MPH. It is also capable of driving on battery power alone with an all-electric range of 16 miles.
Acura has also dabbled with performance hybrid systems in recent years with the revival of the NSX. This mid-engine hybrid supercar pairs a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine with three electric motors for a combined output of 600 hp. The engine combined with one of the electric motors and 9-speed dual-clutch automatic powers the rear wheels, while each of the front wheels gets a separate motor, providing better handling and dynamics with improved yaw control. Like the other options on the list, the motors in the NSX also help fill in the acceleration gap. The NSX is also capable of all-electric driving for a few miles.