The world shouldn’t underestimate American performance anymore.
For much of automotive history, the term “supercar” has been reserved for a very specific type of vehicle: usually, one that is European, mid-engined, extravagantly styled, and exorbitantly expensive. However, there has been a decades-long battle on the other side of the Atlantic to prove that the States are capable of bringing about the same caliber of performance, and what has resulted is the competitive nature that has brought about some of the most iconic performance machines from both sides of the pond.
Here in the U.S., one of the earliest chapters in the American supercar story is that of the Ford GT40, a car born out of a legendary Le Mans rivalry with Ferrari that resulted in an early but still-storied upset of Ford victories. After that, cars like the Corvette, Dodge Viper, and many more continued to prove the worthiness of American performance on the most competitive global stage of supercars.
Whether it’s achieving blindingly quick acceleration, reaching incredible top speeds to become part of the exclusive 200, or now even 300-mph club, or being some of the world’s most formidable time-attack track dominators, the best American supercars are proving themselves highly capable of going after some of the most venerated titles and breaking the most incredible records in the automotive world. In decades past, Europe was just about the only place to go if you wanted a true performance car, but now, many seekers of speed look to performance engineering that’s American made. There’s no better motivation than having a point to prove, and with all the incredible things that have come from supercar companies in the USA, here are the 10 that prove that point the best.
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Hennessey Venom F5
0-60 mph: 2.7 seconds
HP: 1,600 hp
Torque: 1,300 lb-ft
Price: $1,600,000
The first production body and chassis by Hennessey Performance Engineering. Their twin-turbo V8 is going for the world record as soon as suitable tires are available. Just after the Hennessey Venom F5 made its debut in California, the company announced that all examples were already sold out. With this car, Hennessey is hoping to see the 300-mph top speed barrier broken, making this one of the most incredible American hypercars ever made.
Dodge Viper ACR Extreme
0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
HP: 650 hp
Torque: 600 lb-ft
Price: $121,395
Dodge set out to build the meanest Viper, and their efforts culminated in the ACR Extreme. It was able to lap the Nurburgring in 7.01.30. It is the 5th fastest street-legal car to take on the legendary track, just behind the Huracan Performante, and it holds records at tracks around the world.
SSC Tuatara
0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds
HP: 1,750 hp
Torque: 1,280 lb-ft
Price: $1,901,000
With a carbon-fiber body, SSC has delivered an American hypercar to the hypercar wars. Nelson Racing supplies a 5.9-liter V8 with a flat-plane crank. At full boost on E85 fuel, it offers 1,750 horsepower at nearly 9,000 rpm. Torque measures in at 1,280 lb-ft at 6,800 rpm. A CIMA 7-speed sequential sends power to the rear wheels, and production has been limited to 100 cars.
0-60 mph: 2.6 seconds|
HP: 670 hp
Torque: 470 lb-ft
Price: N/A
Powering the new C8 Z06 is the all-new 5.5-liter LT6 engine, which is the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V8 engine to be in any production car. How much power does it take to hold that title? 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
Dodge SRT Challenger Super Stock
0-60 mph: 3.25
HP: 807 hp
Torque: 707 lb-ft
Price: $81,090
The Demon was a limited run, and the SRT team at Dodge learned how to improve performance without using race fuel. The Challenger Super Stock has all the tech and most of the Demon’s features, without a Demonic price. Only 1 less horsepower than its predecessor makes is capable of running mid to low 10s in the quarter-mile. Only 200 will be produced, so click the button to reserve yours.
SVE Yenko Stage II Camaro
0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds
HP: 1,050 hp
Torque: 900 lb-ft
Price: $69,995
Don Yenko would be proud to see the team at Specialty Vehicle Engineering building the fastest production Camaro. Each car arrives with a 6.8L handbuilt V8 along with a massive supercharger. Sorry automatic fans, this car is 6-speed only.
Drako GTE
0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
HP: 1200 hp
Torque: 6,491 lb-ft
Price: $1,250,000
It all starts with the quad electric motor architecture that pumps out an astonishing 1,200 horsepower and 6,491 lb-ft of torque. That monstrous amount of power can propel the GTE in a lightning fashion towards its top speed of 206 mph.
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG 004CS
0-60 mph: 1.9 seconds
HP: 850 hp
Torque: 750 lb-ft
Price: $598,000
James Glickenhaus began by building GT3 & GTE race cars in Danbury, Connecticut. Since his clients were so successful, they demanded a street-legal version. The carbon fiber chassis is one-piece, and the driver sits center flanked by two passengers. A Graziano 7-speed dual-clutch sends power to center-lock wheels. If you want a clear coat or tinted carbon fiber, it’s only an extra $70,000
Saleen S7 LM
0-60 mph: 2.2 seconds
HP: 1,500 hp
Torque: 1,328 lb-ft
Price: On Request
Steve Saleen likes going fast, so he turned his Mustang aftermarket business into a supercar builder with the S7. The body takes inspiration from a stillborn Aston Martin racing project. Into it, they built a 427 ci (7-liter) V8 that was naturally aspirated. In 2005, a twin-turbo model was introduced. It makes 750 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. The latest version is the S7 LM. It delivers 1,500 horsepower with less weight than earlier models.
Ford GT
0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds
HP: 647 hp
Torque: 550 lb-ft
Price: $500,000
Henry Ford II wanted to go racing. The easiest way to do this was to buy Ferrari, but Enzo wouldn’t sell the rights to his racing teams. So Ford asked Carroll Shelby to take a Lola chassis and stuff it with American power. The 2018 Ford GT is a 50th anniversary of the originals, which brought home first place in 1967 and 2017. Ford also introduced variants like the MKII and multiple heritage editions. With one of the most legendary histories behind it, the Ford GT is one of the most important and proud American hypercars made.
