The power-to-weight ratio of a car is a key performance metric that indicates how many kilograms each unit of horsepower must move. It is calculated by dividing a car’s weight by its power, serving as an index of sportiness.
A lower ratio means better performance, with some high-performance hypercars achieving less than 1 kg per horsepower, a remarkable feat. For comparison, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, an exceptionally fast car, has a power-to-weight ratio of 1.57 kg/PS.
To determine the best-performing cars based on this specification, a ranking of the top ten models has been compiled. This list includes both currently available production cars, which are often produced in limited numbers, and upcoming models that promise extraordinary power-to-weight ratios.
1. SSC Tuatara – 0.70 kg/PS
The SSC Tuatara holds the record for the best power-to-weight ratio among registerable vehicles, making it one of the fastest cars in the world. With a dry weight of 1,274 kg and a massive power output of 1,774 PS (1,750 bhp), the Tuatara Striker achieves an incredible 0.70 kg/PS ratio.
This ultra-lightweight, high-power combination allows it to reach blistering speeds, with a top speed of 475 km/h (295 mph) and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds.
The Tuatara owes much of its performance to the 5.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine developed with Nelson Racing Engines, which delivers power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed robotized gearbox.
2. Hennessey Venom F5 – 0.73 kg/PS
The second most powerful car on this list is the Hennessey Venom F5, which in its Revolution version has a dry weight of 1,360 kg and an outstanding power output of 1,842 PS (1,817 bhp), giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 0.73 kg/PS.
The Venom F5 was designed to break speed records, aiming for a top speed exceeding 500 km/h (311 mph). So far, it has achieved 437.1 km/h (272 mph). Acceleration is equally astonishing, with a 0-60 mph time of just 2.6 seconds.
The power comes from a monstrous twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V8 engine producing 1,617 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission.
3. Zenvo Aurora Tur – 0.77 kg/PS
Zenvo recently unveiled the Aurora Tur, a hybrid hypercoupé that boasts an impressive dry weight of 1,450 kg and a power output of 1,876 PS (1,850 bhp), giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 0.77 kg/PS.
With this power, the car achieves a top speed of 450 km/h (280 mph) and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in a breathtaking 2.3 seconds. The Aurora Tur is powered by a quad-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 engine working in conjunction with three electric motors.
One electric motor is integrated with the combustion engine, while the other two provide additional power to the front axle. The car features a seven-speed transmission, and its less powerful sibling, the Aurora Agil, has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.89 kg/PS.
4. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – 0.79 kg/PS
The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is another monster in this lineup. This combustion-engine-only hypercar has a dry weight of 1,290 kg and produces an astonishing 1,625 PS (1,602 bhp), leading to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.79 kg/PS.
Koenigsegg has designed the Jesko Absolut for extreme speed, targeting a record-breaking top speed of 531 km/h (330 mph), although this has yet to be tested in real-world conditions.
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is estimated at 2.6 seconds. Powering this beast is a twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 1,500 Nm of torque when running on an E85 ethanol blend, paired with a state-of-the-art nine-speed Light Speed Transmission.
5. Deus Vayanne – 0.80 kg/PS
The first all-electric hypercar on this list is the Deus Vayanne, set to begin production in 2025. This Austrian-made car, developed in collaboration with Italdesign and Williams Advanced Engineering, boasts an incredible 2,243 PS (2,212 bhp) at a weight of 1,810 kg, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 0.80 kg/PS.
The Vayanne promises phenomenal performance, with a top speed exceeding 400 km/h (249 mph) and an acceleration time of just 1.99 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The car is powered by three electric motors generating a total of 2,040 Nm of torque. A high-performance 85 kWh battery provides an estimated range of 500 km (311 miles).
6. Koenigsegg Gemera HV8 – 0.89 kg/PS
Koenigsegg’s most powerful road car to date, the Gemera HV8, is a plug-in hybrid hypercar that delivers a staggering 2,333 PS (2,300 bhp). Weighing around 2,090 kg, the car achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 0.89 kg/PS.
Despite being a four-seater, the Gemera is capable of reaching speeds close to 400 km/h (249 mph) and can sprint from 0-100 km/h in an astonishing 1.9 seconds.
Its hybrid system consists of a twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8 engine paired with the Dark Matter E-motor electric drive, delivering a total of 2,750 Nm of torque, all managed through a nine-speed Light Speed Tourbillion transmission.
7. Czinger 21C – 0.90 kg/PS
The Czinger 21C, an American-built hybrid hypercar, has a dry weight of 1,240 kg and develops 1,368 PS (1,350 bhp), giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 0.90 kg/PS. This engineering marvel can reach a top speed of 452 km/h (280 mph) in its low-drag configuration and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 1.9 seconds.
The Czinger 21C is powered by a centrally mounted 2.9-litre V8 biturbo engine, supported by two electric motors that drive the front wheels. The car’s transmission is a seven-speed sequential multi-clutch gearbox.
8. Lotus Evija – 0.92 kg/PS
The Lotus Evija is the first electric car from Lotus and deserves a spot on this list. It features a power output of 2,039 PS (2,012 bhp) and a kerb weight of 1,887 kg, leading to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.92 kg/PS.
The Evija’s electronically limited top speed is 349 km/h (217 mph), and it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in under three seconds. The car’s four electric motors, one per wheel, are supplied by Integral Powertrain, while its 70 kWh battery and electrical system were developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering.
9. Koenigsegg CC850 – 1.00 kg/PS
Koenigsegg appears yet again in this ranking with the CC850, a hypercar that produces 1,385 PS (1,367 bhp) and weighs exactly 1,385 kg, achieving a perfect 1.00 kg/PS power-to-weight ratio.
Despite its more classic design, the CC850 is capable of reaching speeds over 480 km/h (300 mph) and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in around 2.8 seconds. The twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8 engine delivers 1,385 Nm of torque, managed through Koenigsegg’s unique nine-speed Light Speed Transmission.
10. Aspark Owl – 1.01 kg/PS
The Aspark Owl, a Japanese electric hypercar, rounds out this list with a weight of 2,000 kg and a power output of 2,012 PS (1,985 bhp), achieving a 1.01 kg/PS ratio.
The Owl boasts a top speed of 413 km/h (257 mph) and an astonishing 0-100 km/h time of just 1.91 seconds. Developed in collaboration with Manifattura Automobili Torino, it features four electric motors producing 1,920 Nm of peak torque.
Some cars have promised mind-blowing power-to-weight ratios but remain unverified. The Devel Sixteen, for instance, claims 5,076 PS and a 0.45 kg/PS ratio. The Arash Imperium S, Estrema Fulminea, and SP Automotive Chaos are other contenders still awaiting production, hinting at an even more extreme future for hypercars.
Also Read: 10 Cars With the Most Comfortable Adaptive Suspension Systems
