To put in perspective where we are in automotive history: Almost 100 years ago, the first car to reach 200mph (the Sunbeam “Slug”) had 1000hp. That horsepower came from two engines, one behind the driver & one in front. Twin 22.4-liter V-12s. In 1927, in front of 30,000 spectators at Daytona Beach, the Slug hit 200mph… and then 207mph. This week however, back in 2024, Chevrolet released the new Corvette ZR1. The newest member of a growing turn-key 1000hp club, the C8 Corvette ZR1 is sure-to-be brilliant. And soon – you can park it in your driveway with no extra driver-training needed. Another 1000hp car to drive to the supermarket & Starbucks. No speed records will be broken, but it’s said that the new ZR1 will go around 215mph. You only get one engine, but it peaks at 1064hp from a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8… hailed as the most powerful ever. What a time to be alive.
In the now long list of turn-key 1000hp cars…
Two come to mind that I think changed our recent perspectives on power from production cars. The first is the Bugatti Veyron of the mid 2000s. With multiple versions over 1000hp from a 8.0 liter W-16 quad turbo engine, it’s a multi-million dollar vehicle that most of us can only dream about. In fact, most people have yet to even see one. But fast-forward only 15-years later, and the Tesla Model S Plaid (a sedan) eclipsed 1000hp and also held the acceleration record… from a bunch of batteries. And for about 1/10 of the price of the original Bugatti. Crazily – this vehicle is now available for under $100,000. It’s absolutely unbelievable when you really think about it.
Why would a car manufacturer even want to make a 1000hp car?
Well for one, the amount of new-money that NON car enthusiasts have is staggering. They might not know the difference between the oil cooler & air filter, but they’ve got the money to stunt on their neighbors. And it’s a lot easier to sell 1000hp… than to say, “Our car is 500lbs lighter with a lower center of gravity & lower drag coefficient.” Just ask Lotus. Car enthusiasts are too picky & honestly too knowledgeable, and they generally have champaign tastes on beer budgets.
Plus, these flagship cars are obviously a showcase for the ultimate technology a brand offers. They celebrate innovations, capabilities, heritage, and the teams within the company that dare to cross the lines they said couldn’t be crossed. Bless those people; we need more of them. And if a customer has the means to go out and buy/support that flagship vehicle, more power to ’em. We all win.
However, have we lost the plot?
Some could argue that we have. Where exactly are you driving 1,000hp cars? Does one really need to go .01 tenth faster than the next car – like the Lucid Sapphire over the Tesla Plaid? Does it even matter anymore? I’m no environmentalist, but these ICE cars probably get 8 MPG with your foot barely on the gas on a good day when it’s cold. The EV’s get to burn more coal charging up. Why not focus on less weight and make it a marketing point that hits home? Who really needs 1000hp? Isn’t 600 enough? What’s next… 1500hp, then 2000? Oh crap I googled, it seems we’re already there…
Today we have brilliant 1000hp cars…
From most all of the exotic players with some form of engine/hybrid power. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren, etc. I had to google how to spell Koenigsegg, but I’m confident they have multiple 1,000hp cars. We have some from ‘upstart brands’ like the Rimac Nevara, using electric power to make close to 2000hp. Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche are in on the fun too. If you live in the modified space, you know 1000hp was eclipsed quite some time ago. Amazing feats from independent aftermarket brands and/or independent shops. The thrill of 1000hp and beyond. We should marvel at the fact that we’re doing what many said couldn’t be done.
It would be easy for me to criticize this new norm…
For Example, we have a 1000hp GMC Hummer EV that weighs as much as a small planet. It can be seen as some pointless exercise for the wealthy. I could slam these cars for being a celebration of excess in a world that needs maybe a bit less excess and a bit more love. But after a night of reflection I came to the conclusion that – this type of horsepower-chasing drives innovation. It spurs healthy competition. These vehicles inspire the youth and adults to challenge themselves. It creates dreams for the dreamers. I welcome more 1000hp cars from even more manufacturers. We would all be so lucky to fulfill our dreams together.
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