Just having raw horsepower is not what makes a car fast. If it is heavy,  then by definition, it will need more power to get it moving. We took a look at road legal cars only but not necessarily available in the US. There are a couple of ways to calculate this.

Typically here in the US we take the car’s weight and divide by the horsepower. 3,000 lb/600 = 5 lbs/hp. In the UK and Europe they calculate bhp per tonne. 3,000 lb is 1.36 tons so divide 600/1.36 =441 bhp per tonne. Make sense?

Here is the countdown to the ten production cars with the best power-to-weight.

10. Pagani Huayra

 

The Pagani Huayra is an Italian mid-engined sports car produced by Pagani.  The Huayra is currently the fastest road car to go around the Top Gear Test Track, setting a time of 1:13.8, beating the previous record of 1:15.1 set by the Ariel Atom V8 in January 2011.

Engine Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-Turbo
Displacement 5980 cc
Power 730 hp
Torque 737 lb ft
Gearbox transverse sequential seven speed gearbox – AMT robotyzed system with driving programs
Power To Weight 4.14 lb/hp

9. Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package

 

The Weissach package’s main aim is to reduce weight, helping to lower the 918 Spyder’s curb mass from 3,715 pounds to 3,616 pounds. Porsche added  magnesium wheels, a lighter brake design, ceramic wheel bearings, and titanium bolts for the chassis.

Engine Parallel full hybrid; 4.6-liter V8 and two permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
Displacement 4600 cc
Power 887 hp
Torque 944 lb ft
Gearbox 7 speed PDK
Power To Weight 4.08 lb/hp

8. Caterham 620R

 

The 620 R is the fastest road car Caterham has ever made and will go from 0-60 in 2.79 secs.

Engine Supercharged 2.0 L Ford Duratec
Displacement 2000 cc
Power 310 hp
Torque 219 lb ft
Gearbox 6-speed sequential gearbox package
Power To Weight 3.88 lb/hp

7. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

 

The current Super Sport version of the Veyron is the current fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of  267.7 mph.

Engine Quad-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 64-valve W-16,
Displacement 8000 cc
Power 1200 hp
Torque 1106 lb ft
Gearbox 7 Speed DSG
Power To Weight 3.46 lb/hp

6. Mclaren P1

 

The P1 will go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 6.8 seconds, and from 0 to 186 mph in 16.5 seconds. It reaches the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds at 152 mph. Top speed of is 247 mph.

Engine
V8 Twin Turbo with integrated lightweight electric motor
Displacement 3799 cc
Power 916 hp
Torque 900 lb ft
Gearbox
7 Speed SSG
Power To Weight 3.35 lb/hp

5. LaFerrari

 

Ferrari states that the car has a top speed exceeding 217 mph, and that it is capable of reaching 62 mph in under three seconds, 124 mph in under seven seconds, and a speed of 186 mph in 15 seconds.

Engine
V12 with electric motor
Displacement 6262 cc
Power 916 hp
Torque 900 lb ft
Gearbox
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Power To Weight 3.32 lb/hp

4. Ariel Atom

 

The Atom V8 has a claimed 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds making it quicker than many bikes.

Engine
V8
Displacement 3000 cc
Power 500 hp
Torque 284 lb ft
Gearbox
6-speed sequential Sadev
Power To Weight 2.43 lb/hp

3. Koenigsegg One:1

 

Manufacturers Claims

Zero to 60 mph: 2.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 4.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 9.0 sec
Top speed: 273 mph

Engine
V8, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Displacement 5000 cc
Power 1341 hp
Torque 1011 lb ft
Gearbox
7-speed dual clutch, 1 input shaft transmission with paddle-shift.
Power To Weight 2.23 lb/hp

2.. Hennessey Venom GT

 

Hennessey claims their car will hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, then onto 100mph in 5.6 and then the fastest time to 186 mph according to Guinness, 13.63 seconds.

Engine
90-degree V8
Displacement 7000 cc
Power 1244 hp
Torque 1155 lb ft
Gearbox
Ricardo 6-Speed manual
Power To Weight 2.206 lb/hp

1. Caparo T1

 

The Caparo is a 2-seater track car that is legal for the road.  With a weight of only 1212 lbs the Caparo rockets to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds, and from 0 – 100 in 5 seconds. Top speed is in excess of 200mph.

Engine
Menard V8
Displacement 3500 cc
Power 575 hp
Torque 1155 lb ft
Gearbox
Magnesium/carbon 6 speed sequential
Power To Weight 2.11 lb/hp