The Essential Supercar Name List: Top Models on Sale
Supercars have always captured the imagination, representing the pinnacle of automotive engineering and ultimate luxury. They are more than just cars; they are symbols of speed, wealth, and aspirational design, often making headlines in entertainment and lifestyle news. While the strict definition of a ‘supercar’ has evolved since the days of the Lamborghini Miura, their essence remains: ridiculously fast, expensive, impractical, and utterly desirable – the kind of vehicle that makes passersby stop and stare. For enthusiasts and admirers alike, having a go-to Supercar Name List is essential to keep track of the kings of the road.
The term ‘supercar’ has been used in its current sense since the 1960s, with the Lamborghini Miura generally considered to be the first such vehicle. And while no concrete definition has ever been officially adopted, it has been said that a mid-engined two-seater with at least eight cylinders, making 400hp or more and being capable of at least 180mph fits the bill.
Times, naturally, change: the current Ferrari 296 GTB is two cylinders short of the requirements set out above yet is unquestionably a supercar, while the electric Rimac Nevera doesn’t have a single cylinder.
Yet rather than get too focused on categorisation criteria (it would be tough to make the argument that the four-seat Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is not a supercar), we’ll define the word thus: a supercar should be ridiculously fast, inordinately expensive, of questionable practicality – and utterly desirable.
This last aspect is key: a supercar should make everyone – regardless of whether they are a car enthusiast or not – excited; a passing supercar should make people say ‘countach!’ an Italian exclamation that translates roughly as ‘wow’, and gave its name to one the best-known supercars to ever grace our roads.
Anyway, enough introduction: here’s our pick of the best supercars currently on sale.
Top 10 Supercars to Know Now
1. Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe
The Mercedes name might not be quite as exotic as some of those on this Supercar Name List, but the latest AMG GT Coupe leaves no doubt about whether it should be defined as a supercar. It has sleek styling with a long bonnet that’s home to a massive, barking, twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It makes 585hp in ’63’ guise, but opt for the catchily titled 63 S E-Performance and that V8 is paired with an electric motor for a whopping 816hp.
A clever all-wheel drive system helps put all of that power into the ground and results in a 0-62mph time of just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 199mph. The AMG GT Coupe is not as intimidating to drive as those performance figures suggest, and is actually a bit easier to enjoy on a twisty road than many other high-performance vehicles, making it a notable entry on any supercar name list and a strong contender for consideration among every supercar in the world.
2. McLaren 750S
Woking may not be the most glamorous place to build supercars, but that shouldn’t put you off the McLaren 750S. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 chucks out 750hp to the rear wheels, and it’s fantastic to drive around a track.
Okay, it isn’t the most melodic of engines, but we can forgive it that. Ride, handling and steering are all superb, and better still, the 720S has a cabin that you can actually see out of.
3. Ferrari 296 GTB
The push towards electrification means Ferrari has moved from a V8 engine to a V6 with the 296 GTB, while the addition of an electric motor means power is rated at 830hp, and the 296 GTB can also cover 15 miles in battery-powered EV mode thanks to being a plug-in hybrid.
But those thoroughly modern credentials don’t mean the 296 is anything other than a Ferrari through and through: it’s beyond exciting to drive, wildly quick and, despite being at least two cylinders short of some definitions of supercar, sounds utterly fantastic.
The 296 GTB is also a reassuring car for petrolheads as it demonstrates that even though market and regulatory requirements are forcing Ferrari to pivot to electrification, the firm remains more than capable of building bonafide supercars alongside the rise of models like the fully electric supercar.
4. Audi R8
If ever there were a car that deserved the title ‘everyday supercar’ the Audi R8 is it. That is not to damn it with faint praise – the 5.2-litre V10 engine is a bellowing jewel that thrusts the R8 to 60mph in 3.4 seconds, and on to the far side of 200mph. However, acceleration isn’t quite as visceral as that served up by some turbocharged rivals. Still, it grips strongly enough to wear out your neck muscles, and remains civilised enough to take the sting out of motorway trips.
Yet while the Ferrari 296GTB is very much a modern supercar, the R8 feels like one of the last of a dying breed: no turbochargers to aid efficiency, no electrification – a stark contrast to the diverse range you might find when looking at supercar in the world today. When it bows out in 2024, there is no direct replacement planned.
5. Maserati MC20
Those looking for an Italian supercar may be drawn straight to Lamborghini or Ferrari, however Maserati’s MC20 gives buyers food for thought. This carbon fibre mid-engined two-seater has all the hallmarks of a true supercar, even down to the scissor doors.
Mounted behind the driver is a 635hp 3.0-litre V6 engine with a soundtrack which could put some modern V8s to shame. It’s not all bark and no bite either, because this is a seriously capable car through the corners.
6. Porsche 911 GT3 RS
The Porsche 911 has historically spawned a number of special, low-volume models, and the stripped-out track-focused GT3 RS is certainly one of those that belongs on a comprehensive supercar name list.
Its 4.0-litre flat-six engine does without turbocharging to make its 525hp, while aerodynamic features contribute to it making an astonishing 860kg of downforce. Add in racing engineered suspension and chassis tweaks and the GT3 RS is essentially a proper track car that happens to be road legal.
7. Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
You can’t talk about supercars without a mention of Lamborghini, with the brand arguably inventing the term back in the 1960s with the GT. The Huracan Tecnica is a last hurrah for the V10 supercar, a model which has been around for a decade.
The 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 puts out a healthy 640hp, and it delivers every one of those horses with plenty of theatre thanks to the screaming engine note. This is a car which is bound to turn heads wherever you go, especially in the bright green colour scheme. While the latest models are pricey, the decade-long run means some examples might eventually appear among cheap used supercars.
8. Rimac Nevera
The Rimac Nevera may be lacking any cylinders, but that doesn’t stop it offering bonkers performance figures, securing its place on any supercar name list focusing on the cutting edge. This Croatian monster has four electric motors, putting out a combined 1,914hp and launching it from 0-60mph in just 1.7 seconds.
True petrolheads may not be able to look past the lack of an engine note, however if this doesn’t phase you then the Nevera offers a lovely cabin, face-melting performance and plenty of pantomime.
9. Aston Martin DBS
The Aston Martin DBS is breathtaking to look at, and would surely be one of the best supercars to take on a cross-continent road trip. The turbocharged V12 engine is a belter, pulling strongly right round the rev-counter with an exhaust note to match, while 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and 211mph are performance figures not to be sniffed at.
The steering is sharp and suspension tweaks have made the DBS feel altogether keener than its lesser siblings. The presence of an outdated Mercedes infotainment system jars slightly, but this is more than made up for by the bespoke feeling, sumptuous interior.
10. Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Chevrolet might not be the first name which comes to mind when you think of a supercar maker, after all it bowed out of the UK market over 10 years ago having failed to make an impact with its range of more conventional cars. The brand is still very much alive and kicking in the USA though, and the V8-powered Corvette Z06 makes a strong case for itself in this segment.
It’s mid-engined, powered by a thumping great V8 engine with 670hp and it has all the sleek styling you’d expect from a supercar. It manages to offer all this for a reasonable price as well, at least compared to a Ferrari or Lamborghini, making it a noteworthy inclusion on a supercar name list for those seeking performance potentially found among super cars for sale cheap (relative to other supercars).
This supercar name list represents the pinnacle of automotive engineering and design currently available. From the traditional V8 and V10 powerhouses to cutting-edge hybrids and all-electric marvels, these vehicles push the boundaries of speed, luxury, and desirability. While their practicality may be questionable, their ability to inspire awe and excitement is undeniable, solidifying their place in the world of both high-performance driving and global entertainment.
