Automakers use several benchmarks to see how they compare to competitors. One of the biggest is average speed. Which automaker built the fastest production cars?
The answer to this question has changed over the years. At one point in 1949, Jaguar had the fastest car in history. By 1967, Lamborghini had taken over as the top automaker.
The list continued with a Porsche in 1986 and a Ferrari in 1987. Bugatti joined in the fun in 1991 and then McLaren set records in 1993.
But where does the automotive industry stand as of early 2025? These four vehicles have all set records by posting the fastest average speed, but only one has topped 300 mph.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+
The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport made history in 2019 when it became the first production car to cross the 300 mph threshold.
Driver Andy Wallace controlled the car featuring a 1,600-horsepower W-16 engine at the Ehra-Lessien test track in Germany. He smashed past 300 mph and ultimately reached 304.773 mph.
At the time, this was not a production Chiron Super Sport. It featured an additional safety cell, aerodynamic changes, and higher seventh-gear ratios. Michelin also fitted the Chiron with special tires built to withstand the test.
However, Bugatti celebrated the top speed record by creating 30 limited-edition models to match the record-breaking car.
Koenigsegg Agera RS
Back in November 2017, Koenigsegg put the world on notice. Test driver Niklas Lilja climbed into the Agera RS on a closed-down 11-mile section of highway between Las Vegas and Pahrump, Nevada.
Lilja did a two-way run and recorded an average speed of 277.9 mph (444.6 km/h). The Koenigsegg also hit 284.55mph on one run, which was the highest speed recorded on a public road. This made the Agera RS the fastest production car in history.
This Agera RS featured a 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that delivered 1,160 hp at 7,800 rpm. The engine did not redline until 8,250 rpm.
2014 Hennessey Venom GT
While the Bugatti and Koenigsegg hail from international markets, an American car previously held the record. The 2014 Hennessey Venom GT was the gold standard for many years.
Hennessey Special Vehicles, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer, created the record-setting vehicle. This Hennessey Venom GT made a one-way run and hit 270.49 mph, which became the record in February 2014.
The Venom GT featured a 7.0-litre twin-turbo GM-sourced V8 engine that delivered 1,244 horsepower. It could accelerate from 20 mph to 120 mph in a mere 7.71 seconds.
2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport
The name Bugatti is synonymous with speed. The company has set multiple records throughout its history while trying to pursue greatness.
An early example of this is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, which made history at Ehra-Lessien in 2010. Driver Henri Raphanel made a two-way run at the test track and hit an average speed of 431 km/h (267.811 mph).
This Veyron 16.4 Super Sport boasted an 8.0-liter W-16 engine that delivered 1,200 horsepower. Bugatti paired the powertrain with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and four enlarged turbochargers. Bugatti also redesigned the chassis to increase safety at extreme speeds.