The Evolution of the 250+ MPH Supercar

THE EVOLUTION THE 250+MPH SUPERCAR THE PURSUIT OF POWER Looking more like a ballistic weapon than an automobile, today's supercars represent the ultimate in automotive engineering. At H.R. Owen, we've seen them evolve over the years to unheard-of levels of performance. Enthusiasts love them, collectors covet them - and why not? 1926 Bentley Speed Six 0-60 mph: 14.2 seconds Top speed: 84 mph BHP: 180 100 120 . 140 80 160 Engine Size: 6597 cc Production years: 1926-1930 Number produced: 544 20 220. 02478981 As the car that won the 24 hours of Le Mans and the Brooklands Double 12, the Bentley Speed Six is the most successful racing model that the company has ever produced. What's more, it's seen as the world's first true supercar, a piece of automotive engineering that far surpassed the expectations and limitations of its time period. 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds Top speed: 135 mph BHP: 212 100 120 140 Engine Size: 2996 cc Production years: 1954-1957 Price on release: $11,000 60 180 220 02478981 Number produced: 1400 Known for its iconic "gull wing" doors, the Mercedes-Benz 3OOSL is considered to be the biggest stepping stone between classic sports cars and modern super cars. Clark Gable, whose affinity for fast cars was no secret, owned a 1955 model of the 300SL that sold for $1.85 million in 2013. 1966 Lamborghini Miura 0-60 mph: 7.0 seconds Top speed: 171 mph '120 100 140 BHP: 350 80 160 60 180 Engine Size: 3929 cc Production years: 1966-1973 Price on release: $20,000 Number produced: 764 200 220. 02478981 Company founder and tractor manufacturer Ferruccio Lamborghini took issue with the first Ferrari he owned and went to Enzo Ferrari himself to complain. The two had an altercation, and Ferrari claimed that Lamborghini was the problem, not the car. The Miura was Ferruccio's riposte...and it scored. 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds Top speed: 192 mph BHP: 370 100 T20 14o 80 160 Engine Size: 3929 cc Production years: 1974-1978 Price on release: $100,000 Number produced: 151 180 220, 02478981 The Countach is adored by car lovers as one the most beautiful automobiles ever de- signed. In fact, its name is actually a Piedmontese exclamation intended for when a man lays eyes on a gorgeous woman. | 1987 Ferrari F40 0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds Top speed: 200 mph 140 BHP: 471 160 Engine Size: 2936 cc Production years: 1987-1992 Price on release: $400,000 20 220 02478981 Number produced: 1,315 When it was released in 1987, the Ferrari F40 was the fastest car the world had ever seen. With its 200 mph top speed and ability to bolt from 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds, the F40 gives even some modern supercars a run for their money. Fun fact: British rock musician Rod Stewart owned a red F40 for a time, and it was auctioned off in August 2014. 2002 Pagani Zonda S 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds Top speed: 220 mph BHP: 555 100 120 140 80 160 Engine Size: 7291 cc Production years: 2002-2005 Price on release: $500,000 Number produced: 18 180 200 - 220, 02478981 The Zonda S is a notable member of the modern supercar family. A 555hp Mercedes-AMG engine and mostly carbon fiber body allow this amazing piece of en- gineering to achieve lightning fast speeds. Famous hip hop artist Wyclef Jean owns a $350,000 C12-S. 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport 0-60 mph: 2.6 seconds Top speed: 267 mph BHP: 1001 Engine Size: 7993 cc Production years: 2010-current Price on release: $1.7 million 62478981 Number produced: 30 Current king of the hill is the Bugatti Veyron. It was designed to a brief by VW Group boss Ferdinand Piëch: to make a 250+mph supercar that was elegant enough to be driven to an opera, if the owner so desired. The new standard in high performance supercars is so high, a separate key is needed to unleash its full potential and top speed. Top speed is a defining characteristic for supercars. Engine size, also known as displacement, and braking horsepower (BHP) are important metrics of performance too. Engine size measures the total space in each cylinder swept by the engine's pis- tons, and BHP represents the engine's horsepower without restriction from the differential, gear- box, alternator, and other supplementary drivetrain parts. Use the chart below to see how supercars have developed over the years as engine technology has changed and improved. 10000 1200 -- Engine Size - BHP 8000 1000 Bentley Speed Six 6597 c 180 BHP Lamborghini Countach Miura 3929 cc 350 BHP Bugatti Veyron 16.4 SS 7993 cc 1001 BHP 800 LP 400 3929 cc 370 BHP 6000 Mercedez- Benz 300SL 2996 cc 212BHP Ferrari F40 2936 cc 471 BHP 600 4000 400 Pagani Zonda S 7291 cc 555 BHP 2000 200 Each model brings new heights of performance, but that performance comes at a price. As supercars have grown stronger and faster, they've changed drastically in price. Observe the decreasing O-60 times of these models over time in comparison to their inflation-adjusted price in the chart below. 2,500,000 - - Price with Inflation - - time to 60 16 Bentley Speed Six $600,000 14.2 seconds Lamborghini Miura $330,000 7 seconds 2,000,000 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 SS $2,000,000 2.6 seconds 12 Ferrari F40 $1,000,000 4.2 seconds 1,500,000 Mercedez- Benz 300SL $265,000 8.8 seconds 1,000,000 4 Countach LP 400 $1,000,000 5.4 seconds 500,000 Zonda S $700,000 3.6 seconds RESOURCES "BRITISH ENSIGN MOTORS". THE TIMES. 11 NOVEMBER 1920. P. 6. 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