10 Cars That Can Reach 200 Miles Per Hour

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ・ Photo by Chevrolet

The ability to reach 200 miles per hour once put a car into an incredibly exclusive club. But these days, that club is now letting in a few more members — even cars from mainstream marques like Chevrolet and Dodge are now capable of this once-rare feat.

Going quite fast is relatively easy, but there’s a law of diminishing returns at play. To squeeze out those last few numbers and reach or exceed the magic 200 mph figure means a huge and expensive amount of research and development. Luckily, technology lets engineers use computer simulations of aerodynamic effects and tune engine management systems. The industry has developed methods for achieving high horsepower yet still allowing the cars to be driven in a civilized manner. Buckle up, though, because things are going to get brisk.

2019 Aston Martin DB11 AMR

It’s almost a shame that the DB11 can achieve 208 mph. It means the car appears in one’s field of vision for a mere fraction of a second, and something this beautiful really ought to linger. The overall wonderful-ness of the DB11 extends into the engine bay. To break that 200-mph barrier means going for a coupe model (there’s also the Volante convertible), with a 630-horsepower version of the awesome twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 engine, known as the AMR.

This does require spending around $242,000, but it seems like money well spent when the thrills-per-gallon aspect is taken into account. The DB11 represents a new wave of cars from Aston Martin that still have recognizable styling but add lightweight materials.

Photo by Aston Martin

2019 Audi R8 V10 Plus

The R8 has been revamped for 2019. As well as minor changes to the styling, the chassis has received some improvements. As of this writing, there was no word on whether engine output had been boosted. Let’s assume the V10 Plus retains its 610 hp, enough to fire this all-wheel-drive, mid-engined two-seat supercar toward the horizon at a rate of 205 miles per hour.

The R8 is a fabulous machine whose user-friendly handling makes it all the more desirable. A seriously skilled driver will get a lot out of it, but so can those with more modest talents. Price-wise, there's nothing official on the 2019 model yet, but the 2018 R8 V10 Plus started around $195,000.

Photo by Audi

2019 Bentley Continental GT

A new generation of Continental GT debuts for 2019. This is one of those cars that really does take the breath away. It’s super-sumptuous yet also has an enthusiast appeal. That's thanks in no small part to a W12 engine under that gorgeous hood. Yes, not a V, but a W. Think of it as two V6 engines sharing a crankshaft.

The twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter unit here makes 626 hp and whisks its occupants to a top speed of 207 mph. And even though this car weighs nearly 5,000 pounds, it can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a rapid 3.6 seconds. It's available in coupe and convertible form, and while official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, don’t expect much change (if any) from $250,000.

Photo by Bentley

2019 Bugatti Chiron

If we learn anything from these 10 cars that can hit 200 mph, it’s that high speed is usually associated with high cost. The ultimate expression of that lesson is the Chiron, the world’s fastest and most expensive supercar, starting at $3 million.

This high-speed monument to vehicular excess is propelled by a ridiculous (but also spine-tingling) 1,497 hp from a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine. It can reach 261 mph. Really, 261 mph. The crazy thing is that it's limited electronically — the Chiron is theoretically able to hit 285 mph, but no tires can handle the forces involved. Should such rubber exist, how soon might it be before we make a list of cars that can reach 300 mph?

Photo by Bugatti

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Here’s the first exception to the high-speed/high-cost rule. The new-for-2019 ZR1 is priced from approximately $123,000. While still a tidy sum, it’s less than most cars on our list, yet it can reach 212 mph.

This comes about because the Corvette’s lightweight two-seater body holds a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 developing 755 hp. That’s a truly massive amount of power. Let’s include another positive aspect: The ZR1 isn’t just about gargantuan straight-line speed. It can also handle exceptionally well. This generation of Corvette can compete with the best from Europe. From a pricing standpoint, it also kicks the butts of everything with comparable talents.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye

There’s the regular insane 707-hp Hellcat, and now the Hellcat Redeye exists with 797 hp. It’s probably called that because the adrenaline will keep drivers awake all night, unable to come down from the high of hitting 203 mph with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 roaring in their ears.

This is the least expensive of our 10 cars that can reach 200 miles per hour. It’s around $73,200, including destination charges and gas guzzler tax. That’s outrageously cheap. This rear-wheel drive muscle car has so much power that it’s kind of hilarious. Unsurprisingly, there isn’t much else to the Hellcat Redeye apart from a phenomenal drivetrain, but for someone seeking thrills above all else, that could well be enough.

Photo by Dodge

2019 Ferrari 812 Superfast

Of course it’s fast — it says so in the name. The 812 Superfast is capable of 211 mph. A 6.5-liter V12 sitting under the hood (many Ferrari cars have mid-mounted engines) is the source of extravagant energy, a daunting yet highly desirable 789 hp. There are no turbochargers or superchargers, so the exhaust howl is particularly memorable, as Ferrari engine sounds invariably are.

The starting price of more than $315,000 might also send a shiver or three down the spine, but Ferrari has always enjoyed an air of exclusivity. And this is the fastest and most powerful production Ferrari road car. Incidentally, the sprint from standstill to 60 mph happens in a fleeting 2.8 seconds.

Photo by Ferrari

2019 Lamborghini Aventador S

The Aventador S has a mid-mounted 6.5-liter V12 generating 740 hp. Top speed is 217 mph, and zipping off the line to 60 mph requires only 2.7 seconds. In common with every other Lamborghini, this two-seat supercar (in coupe or convertible body styles) is also gloriously extrovert in its styling and engine sounds. That is a good thing for owners and onlookers alike. We’re just thankful that Lamborghini exists and makes cars like this.

Pricing starts at approximately $420,000. Every lottery jackpot winner should buy one, as it would make the world a brighter (if noisier) place. This is the second-fastest car on our list and it’s about a seventh of the price of the fastest (which, admittedly, is outrageously expensive).

Photo by Lamborghini

2019 McLaren 720S

McLaren doesn’t have quite the heritage of Ferrari or Porsche, but it can still make a hugely impressive supercar and endow it with stunning speed. Using a lot of carbon fiber in its construction, the lightweight 720S places its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 just behind the seats. It sends 710 hp to the rear wheels, so the car can sprint to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 212 mph.

The 720S starts at approximately $290,000, hardly a bargain, but there are other attributes to a McLaren that may sway buyers from other supercars. It can be pin-sharp in its responses and reflexes — able to exploit such profligate power — yet still be comfortable enough for long hauls.

Photo by McLaren

2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

This is the fastest, most powerful road-going production car Porsche has ever built. Of all these 10 cars that can reach 200 miles per hour, this one has the fewest cylinders: only six, arranged into the famed boxer configuration that’s as much a part of the 911 mythology as the sublime driving experience.

This 3.8-liter unit has twin turbochargers to extract a remarkable 700 hp, and it all goes to the rear wheels. It’s not easy launching a rear-engined car, but get it right and the GT2 RS will blast by 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and achieve a maximum velocity of 211 mph. It starts at $294,250, but a magnesium roof and carbon ceramic brakes are standard.

Photo by Porsche