Imagine travelling back to the late 1990s with a time machine. In that era, achieving a 0 to 60 mph time of under 5 seconds seemed almost unfathomable. This feat was reserved for the most extraordinary supercars and highly sophisticated sports vehicles, such as the McLaren F1 and the Ferrari F50. Even the most formidable Audis and BMWs could only manage the sprint in 5.8 or 6.0 seconds.
Fast forward to the year 2000, and suddenly those same Audis and BMWs were clocking 0 to 60 times between 4.6 and 5.5 seconds. Supercars began to approach the 4-second mark, with some even dipping below it, achieving times of 3.9 or 3.95 seconds. The evolution of engines, advancements in technology, and remarkable mechanical grip allowed cars to accelerate off the line quicker than ever before.
Not long after, the hypercar emerged onto the scene, highlighted by the Bugatti Veyron, which not only set a new speed record but was also among the first production vehicles capable of consistently reaching 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds. What was once deemed impossible was now a reality, allowing (wealthy) individuals to push their vehicles beyond 200 MPH on a regular basis
As time has progressed, the automotive landscape has witnessed an influx of quicker vehicles spanning all categories. Today, you can purchase a hot hatch that accelerates from 0 to 60 in under six seconds, along with several mid-tier sports sedans that breach the five-second mark, even without needing brand names like AMG or M.
However, at the pinnacle of hypercars, things are becoming truly astounding. There are at least a couple of models that can achieve 60 MPH in under two seconds, and both are electric vehicles. Additionally, there is an entire segment of hypercars dubbed “The 500 Club,” capable of consistently surpassing the 300 MPH threshold. These figures are indeed mind-boggling, but they also prompt a crucial inquiry:
Are we nearing the boundaries of what humans can endure?
Human Limitations: G Forces
While a vehicle can withstand all the forces it was crafted to handle, the focus here is on our limitations as humans – the vulnerable beings controlling these machines. First off, there are individuals who can endure extreme g-forces and high speeds due to comprehensive physical training and sharp reflexes. Fighter pilots and open-wheel race drivers undergo rigorous training aimed precisely at achieving that, demonstrating that it is indeed possible.
For an average individual, the maximum G-forces one can endure typically range from 3 to 4 G’s. This is why a swift roller coaster with sharp turns can lead some to faint or feel nauseous. Most individuals do not condition their necks to withstand the continuous G-forces that come with cornering, and even fit adults often struggle to react quickly enough at the speeds that today’s hypercars can reach when they’re at their peak.
In this discussion, we will assume that 3 G’s represent the typical threshold for an average person. While it is possible to push that to 4, it tends to be quite uncomfortable for both the body and neck.
Consider, for example, the astounding McMurtry Spierling—a fan car designed to grip the road with nearly a ton of downforce, capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in a verified and reproducible 1.4 seconds. This acceleration equates to almost 2 G’s hitting you suddenly
When put into perspective, that acceleration represents two-thirds of the maximum capacity for an average human. The force is so intense that some factory drivers reported experiencing mild headaches following test runs, which stemmed from their brains being forcefully pushed back in their skulls due to the G-forces the car generates, requiring a brief moment for them to catch up with the rest of their head.
However, the Spierling doesn’t stop there. It continues to apply significant force on your chest as it charges to its peak speed of 155 MPH in a time of under five seconds. This is why we referenced the 0 to 60 times of the late 1990s earlier in this article: we have transitioned from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds to achieving 0 to 155 MPH in less than 5 seconds.
Take a moment to absorb that information. Isn’t progress fascinating?
Now, keep in mind that the Rimac Nevera accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.74 seconds and can reach a maximum speed of 256 mph within 21 seconds. Throughout this exhilarating experience, drivers will feel a force ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 G. Notably, this intensity is approximately two-thirds of the maximum G-force the average person can endure before experiencing neurological impacts.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that these vehicles also outperform many dedicated race cars during similar sprints. For instance, both IndyCars and Formula One cars typically require around 2.0 to 2.1 seconds to reach 60 mph. Indeed, these figures are accurate; there are commercially available cars outperforming traditional race cars, and you aren’t required to undergo years of karting or junior racing to acquire and drive them!
The Human Body’s Limitations: Maximum Speeds & Reaction Times
To start this section, it’s important to clarify that a responsible individual would not take a supercar or hypercar to its ultimate top speed on public roadways. Such activities are best suited for racetracks, drag strips, or deserted airfields, where the consequences of losing control primarily affect the driver.
However, less than a decade ago, the idea of consistently achieving speeds of 300 mph in a hypercar would have seemed delusional. Today, numerous hypercars belong to what is now referred to as “The 500 Club.” This nickname stems from the ambition of several hypercar manufacturers to reach speeds of 500 kph, and with 95% of the world utilizing the metric system, it has garnered attention. While there are ambitions to push for even greater velocities, it raises the crucial question: Is it safe to pursue these speeds?
It’s safe to say that it’s f-a-s-t.
Now, consider that for a healthy adult, the average reaction time is between 200 and 250 milliseconds, or 0.2 to 0.25 seconds. This encompasses the process of seeing or hearing something, the signal traveling to the brain, the brain interpreting it, and then instructing your body to react. At a speed of 300 MPH, you could cover 88 to 110 feet during this entire process, which equates to a third to half a football field.
We highlight this because while it may not be feasible to push a supercar or hypercar to its limits in North America, there are regions worldwide where you can do so legally on public roads. The most notable of these are the unrestricted stretches of the German Autobahn, where you can find videos of drivers reaching speeds exceeding 200 MPH, zipping past slower vehicles in the right-hand lanes. Yet, if those drivers experience even a brief lapse in attention or fail to scan the road ahead adequately, accidents can and have taken place.
The physics behind a crash involving a vehicle that’s traveling at such high speeds is both astounding and terrifying. When considering the weight of a car weighing at least a ton and a half, collisions at 200+ MPH can yield devastating results. While we won’t delve into the specifics, it’s important to note that such velocities typically lead to catastrophic outcomes—not just life-changing, but often life-ending. For those curious, there are indeed graphic images capturing those crashes, but we strongly advise against seeking them out.
Now, picture a driver racing at 100 MPH faster, potentially reaching 300 MPH. For perspective, if you were to skydive from an extreme altitude, diving headfirst with limbs tucked, you’d hit terminal velocity, which averages between 180 to 200 MPH for a human.
This highlights our point, and many automotive manufacturers share this view. Most hypercars that are part of the elite 500 club have been designed so that accessing top speed mode requires a unique key to be placed in a specific area of the car. While they can exceed 200 MPH without this mode, the fundamental truth remains that achieving 300 MPH is simply too risky for the average driver. It necessitates maintaining focus on the road ahead, sometimes hundreds of feet away, where even a brief lapse in concentration could lead to disaster.
Additionally, these high-performance vehicles are equipped with a multitude of warning messages displayed on the infotainment system that must be reviewed before top speed mode is activated. Some models, such as the Chiron, do not allow activation if factors like extreme ambient temperatures or improper tire pressure are present. It’s almost as if these cars are suggesting that pursuing maximum velocity poses significant risks—even in a controlled environment.
Is There a Future Ahead?
Throughout much of the 21st century, the main emphasis in automotive performance has been placed on acceleration and top speed. We have seen vehicles achieve 0 to 60 times under 1.5 seconds, and there exists a select group of lavish hypercars capable of consistently reaching speeds of 300 MPH.Both of these accomplishments are undoubtedly worthy of recognition, representing significant technical milestones. However, is there any real benefit in pushing the boundaries even further?
The truth is, you will seldom, if ever, reach the full capabilities of a supercar or hypercar in everyday circumstances. Various factors, including speed limits, the behavior of other motorists, and your own physical limitations, affect how much of a vehicle’s potential can be utilized. Take the Bugatti Chiron, for instance—one of the fastest cars in existence. It’s often driven at speeds below 70 MPH, simply because there are few opportunities, and limited reasons, to go faster. In locations like Monaco, where you might encounter multiple Chiron owners, there’s hardly any room to accelerate beyond 50 MPH repeatedly.
Moreover, the constraints of physics cannot be overlooked. There comes a point, regardless of how streamlined the design is, where air resistance becomes the primary limiter of speed, rather than the car’s shape or power. Overcoming that aerodynamic drag requires exponentially greater power. This is why the Veyron featured a W16 engine with quad turbochargers, generating 1,001 HP.
Interestingly, it could accelerate from 0 to 200 MPH with around 250 HP, but an additional 750 HP was necessary to increase the speed by just 60 MPH. This same principle applies to the Chiron Super Sport 300, which boasts a staggering 1,580 HP to achieve its top speed of 304 MPH. It required that extra 579 HP, in conjunction with a shape designed to be nearly twice as aerodynamic as the Veyron, to gain a mere 44 MPH.
While velocity is an impressive benchmark for performance, exceeding the capabilities of vehicles in The 500 Club will necessitate a fundamental transformation in engine technology, motors, or alternative propulsion methods. Presently, we are approaching the upper limits of road-legal vehicles with the advent of 2,000 HP electric hypercars, irrespective of the car’s aerodynamic design.
To illustrate the sheer amount of power required to attain truly high speeds, consider the ThrustSSC, the only four-wheeled vehicle confirmed to have broken the sound barrier. It employed two massive Rolls-Royce Spey 202 turbofan afterburning engines derived from the British variant of the F4 Phantom II fighter jet. Nestled between these colossal engines was a slender, elongated body, barely wide enough for an individual to sit in, crafted specifically to resemble a bullet, complete with a sharply pointed nose.
While operating at full afterburner, the engines produced a total of 50,000 lbs-ft of thrust, which narrowly allowed the Thrust SSC to reach a speed of 764 MPH, although this speed could only be maintained for approximately 15 seconds. To provide context, 50,000 lbs-ft of thrust translates to about 101,500 HP.
As we see it, we’ve reached a threshold in performance for 2024 regarding both acceleration and top speed. There isn’t a compelling reason to push for greater speeds or acceleration anymore. While this might sound controversial on a website named Supercars, we invite you to consider our perspective.
While there’s potential for gains in both areas, the human body has limitations, and we can’t handle significantly more than what we’re currently experiencing. This is particularly true without specialized training, and for those who can afford a hypercar, hiring a personal trainer may be within reach. However, for the average person, there’s little motivation to endure rigorous training just to operate a vehicle at extreme speeds or manage intense acceleration and cornering forces.
Realistically speaking, you’ll only experience speeds of 300 MPH for brief moments, likely only on a private test track that you’ve rented. If you’re looking to go fast without the hefty price tag of a hypercar, consider a regional flight between cities like Los Angeles and Austin; it will cost less than a used car, all while cruising at over 500 MPH at 40,000 feet in the air.
On the ground, there is a distinction between what can be considered realistic and unrealistic speeds, a concept well understood in Germany. With a few notable exceptions, you won’t often catch brands like Porsche, Mercedes, or BMW chasing after speeds of 200 MPH. There simply isn’t a compelling reason to reach such high velocities, even in a country with the Autobahn. These manufacturers typically showcase their cars accelerating to 155 to 185 MPH with elegance and comfort. At those speeds, you’ll enjoy a plush ride, and should you happen to lose control, you may benefit from sophisticated safety systems that could ultimately save your life, which is what truly matters.
Image Source: Tricky_Shark / Shutterstock
