The world's 55 fastest cars - complete guide

09 February 2009

The sensational Mercedes 300SL turns 55 � and to celebrate the birth of the original �supercar�, Vijay Pattni looks at the world�s fastest motors.

Sleek, sexy � and seriously fast. The Mercedes 300SL caused a storm when it was launched at the New York Motor Sports Show in 1954.

With its unique Gullwing style doors and rapid 215bhp six-cylinder engine, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL merged sportscar prowess with achingly-beautiful looks � make no mistake, this was one of the world�s first supercars.

Happy Birthday Benz

And now the 300SL turns 55 years old � and still looks good. This got rival carmakers thinking�good looks, mind-bending power and a hefty price tag � the essential ingredients of a supercar.

Ever since, a steady slew of supercars began their assault on the world � speed records were smashed, BHP figures beggared belief�and the world watched on in awe.

Especially as one plucky carmaker decided to do the unthinkable � and complain about a Ferrari.

I don�t believe it

Ferrucio Lamborghini was unhappy with the clutch in his Ferrari, complaining that it was too heavy. Enzo Ferrari � not one to mince his words � promptly sent Mr Lambo packing.

And in his desire to get even, Ferrucio masterminded a number of sportscars before building the gorgeous Lamborghini Miura � a supercar which attracted the superstars of its era. Even today, Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay loves them, and owns one too.

With a creamy 4-litre V12 engine wrapped up inside a solid supercar shell, the Miura helped define the future of supercars. Until of course, Porsche scared bankers across the globe senseless with its 911 Turbo�

Credit-crash

Yes, the preserve of merchant �bankers� and traders in cities across the world, the venerable Porsche 911 Turbo marked the start of a crazy horsepower war, with the Porker packing the most heat.

The first generation 911 Turbo boasted 300bhp, although later versions would top nearly 500bhp, in something which evolved from the Volkswagen Beetle.

Bugatti Veyron: Still not cooler than a Mclaren F1

If you wanna be a record breaker�

Then things started to get even more serious�with the Ferrari F40.

A favourite of Jeremy Clarkson and one of the most coveted supercars in the world, this stripped out racer hits 60mph in just 3.2 seconds and was the first production car in the world to top 200mph.

And then a few Brits came along to upset the supercar order again � in the shape of the legendary McLaren F1. A car which even Lewis Hamilton can�t buy.

The F1 held the record for the world�s fastest production car throughout the 1990s with a top speed of 243mph.

Bugatti��nuff said

But there was one car which would shoot to infamy � thanks to 8-litres and 1,001bhp: the Bugatti Veyron.

Born to ridicule and scorn, the Veyron soon had the last laugh, briefly claiming the record for the world�s fastest production car at 253mph, and for simply being one of the most outrageous supercars of our time.

So what are the top 55 fastest cars in the world? Click the image below to find out�