What Is the Difference Between a Supercar and a Hypercar?

Back in the 1920s, the British newspaper The Times first used the term ‘supercar’ in an advertisement for the Ensign 6, a car with outstanding performance at the time. For the next few decades, it was used by various countries but with different meanings. In the US for example, it described cars with technological advances during the 1940s, while in the 1960s and 1970s it applied to medium-sized cars equipped with powerful V8 engines. Then, to confuse things further, later came the term ‘hypercar’.

Both types of cars are characterised by luxury and mechanical power, so what is the difference between a supercar and a hypercar?

You say ‘po-tay-to’, I say ‘po-tah-to’

Not much and at the same time everything.

A limited-production model by an exclusive carmaker qualifies as a supercar; so does a standard car with a bit of a pedigree if modified to improve power and performance; or a collectible customised extensively, or simply a car thought desirable by enthusiasts. Despite those variations, it is generally accepted that a supercar is a vehicle standing out for its horsepower, speed, advanced technological features, luxury and, last but not least, a multi-million price tag.

So far, so good.

What about hypercars? Well, they’re supercars… only better…

And it is where schools of thoughts differ. Some will argue that the distinction between ‘supercar’ and ‘hypercar’ is artificial, a marketing gimmick, and that there isn’t such a thing as hypercars, while others will challenge you to a duel at dawn for daring to profess such profanity.

Supporters of hypercars define them as the top 1% of supercars, the crème de la crème, but again, what makes a supercar so special that it can be called a hypercar is highly subjective, and it is easy to see how there could be heated debates among car aficionados about whether, firstly there is such a thing as a hypercar and secondly which cars make the cut.

Graduating to supercar…

Before being on the shortlist for hypercar, a vehicle has to be considered a supercar and which ones qualify is rarely clear cut.

Take the Corvette C7 ZO6 for example. Conceived alongside the C7 race car, it is built with a lightweight aluminium frame and fitted with a 6.2L V8 engine delivering 650hp. It looks gorgeous, but it ‘only’ costs NZ$115,000, well below the multi-million mark that usually characterises supercars. Yet, it is considered a supercar.

The Ariel Atom V8 is another case in hand. It has to be said that it doesn’t look like much with its visible chassis, no roof and no windows. Its tech is also nothing out of a science-fiction film so no wonder it is inexpensive, but start the engine and your jaw will drop at the sheer power unleashed as the Atom outruns most race cars. So despite a lack of elegance or cutting-edge technology, it is still a supercar.

So, to become a supercar, a vehicle needs to have at least one exceptional feature, not necessarily all of them.

… Then to hypercar

To win the title of hypercar, however, a car has to present ALL the characteristics of a supercar in terms of design, technology and performance, and represent the best the automotive industry has to offer.

As technology and materials improve, the bar goes higher every year and yesterday’s hypercar could be today’s supercar, as happened to the Lamborghini Murcielago. With a super low body and angular design, it was also boosted by a V12 engine and was an uncontested hypercar, but it was relegated to supercar when Lamborghini created the Aventador in 2011, a sleek number with carbon-fibre body. There are several versions of the model, such as the LP 700-4 Roadster capable of reaching 100km/h in less than 3 seconds and top speeds of over 350 km/h

As avant-garde technology, like movable aerodynamics, trickles down to supercars, car makers are challenged to continue researching extraordinary features to keep their creations undeniably at the top, and despite intense competition, some cars are so amazing that nobody would dream of downgrading them.

The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, for example is an undisputed legend. It was crowned Car of the Decade (2000–2009) by Top Gear in the UK. The original model had a top speed of 407 km/h but the Super Sport version was recorded to reach 431.072 km/h, earning it the title of the fastest street-legal production car in the world and an appearance in the Guinness World Records. The Grand Sport Vitesse edition is the fastest roadster in the world, with top speeds of 408.84 km/h.

Its production ended in 2015 and during the decade it was manufactured, only 407 cars were produced, making it even more sought after.

With a 5.0L turbocharged V8 engine, the Koenigsegg Agera R will leave you coughing in its dust as it roars forward to reach 100km/h in 2.8 seconds. In 2011, during test sessions, the Agera broke six world land speed records, including that for braking. If you think it is an odd category to test a sports car for, remember that the faster a car goes, the more difficult it is to make sure it stays stable when brakes are applied considering the speed. In the case of the Agera, its driver was able to take the car from 300 km/h to a halt without having to touch the steering wheel to keep control. Don’t try that with your car, but still, it’s pretty impressive.

Among other remarkable hypercars with first-class technology, stunning design and many zeros to their price tags are the McLaren P1, La Ferrari and Porsche 918, all displaying close to 1,000hp.

Whether you are importing your faithful old car or a collectible, all vehicles are precious to us and we will treat them with the utmost care. If you want to find out how we can help you, call us on +64 9 303 0075 or request a quote online.