Top 10 Supercars of 2014

Top 10 Supercars of 2014

TheSupercarBlog.com takes a look back at the year gone by and brings you the top 10 supercars that made headlines. The most anticipated car of the year would definitely by the LaFerrari FXXK, while in news from the other side of the pond, Dodge stunned the world with the mighty 707 hp Challenger SRT Hellcat. It was a great year then, for supercar enthusiasts. Read on to find out what other cars made the top 10 supercars of 2014.

Mclaren 650S

2015 Mclaren 650S

Apparently, it is much more than just a MP4-12C facelift. The new Mclaren 650S was showcased at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show with new front end styling and an improved engine. The 650S is powered by the same engine that comes with the MP4-12C. Thus, the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is basically the same as the old car but puts out more horsepower. At 650PS or 641 bhp, this car is much quicker than the 12C. It also provides a more engaging driving experience thanks to a tweaked hydraulically linked suspension. The Mclaren 650S is also among the more comfortable supercars. That said, it still does 0-62 mph in just 3.0 seconds and has top speed of 207 mph.

Nissan GTR Nismo

2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo

Nissan has been working on the GT-R and over the years have incrementally improved its chassis and handling dynamics. For the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo, the boffins at NISMO focused their effort on making it more agile in corners, so the suspension was fine tuned further. Under the hood, the GT-R Nismo uses GT3-spec high-flow turbochargers that boost power output to 591 hp and 481 lb-ft. As with all previous GT-Rs, grip levels and the cornering Gs are way higher than any other road car. The trick suspension also allows the car to corner flat and with easy. It is the fastest Nissan GT-R ever and has claimed the Nurburgring lap record for a volume production car. The car has been timed at 7.08.679 sec around the ‘Green Hell’.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Supercharged

It has been dubbed “the most powerful muscle car ever” and has the most evocative name of them all, Hellcat. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has to be on the top 10 list of supercars that came out in 2014. It is based on the standard Challenger SRT8, however there’s nothing quite standard about the Hellcat. The 6.2-liter HEMI V8 is supercharged and generates nothing short of 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, all of which makes the rear tires bear all the brunt. The suspension had to be all beefed-up and so was the transmission. The Hellcat produces all the right noises and is looker, no doubt. Sadly, Dodge plans to build just a few units of the ultimate Challenger.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

After the successful launch of the C7 Corvette Stingray, in 2014, Chevrolet took the wraps off the Corvette Z06. The C7 generation of the Corvette is technically miles ahead of its predecessors. In fact, it packs the kind of performance you get in high-end European supercars. The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 produces 650 hp and 650 lb-ft and the best part, it also comes with a manual transmission. However, with advancements in dual-clutch technology, the Z06 is claimed to be quicker to 60 mph when equipped with the automatic gearbox compared to the manual. The Z06 makes use of carbon fiber in its construction. The strategically placed winglets provide much needed downforce at high speeds, while ceramic brakes bring it to a complete halt within no time.

Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

The era of the Gallardo has come to an end and taking charge of the proceedings now is the new Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 which was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva motor show. The baby bull is lighter and more powerful than its predecessor. The engine at its heart is a 5.2-liter V10, naturally aspirated with a peak output of 600 hp and peak torque is rated at 413 lb-ft. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission makes its debut on the baby bull and comes with settings for different driving conditions. The mid-engine Lamborghini Huracan with its all-wheel drive system is still heavier than its direct rival- Ferrari 458 Italia. Neither is the performance as eager as the Ferrari. That said, 0-62 mph is over in 3.2 seconds and top speed is 202 mph.

Ferrari 458 Speciale A

Ferrari 458 Speciale A

Never has Ferrari got the name of a supercar this right. The Ferrari 458 Speciale, Italian for “special” is truly the greatest supercar ever built by the prancing horse brand. Journalists and aficionados have praised the Speciale for its snappy responses and the sublime handling. In 2014, the company launched the convertible version of the Speciale called the Speciale A (A= Aperta). Ferrari knows what people look for in a supercar like this than anyone else. It is a no nonsense supercar with a mid-mounted 4.5-liter V8 that screams to 9000 rpm and that’s when 597 hp and 398 lb-ft is delivered to the rear wheels. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is perhaps the best ever to exist and gear changes instantaneous. The suspension has been tweaked and like the standard 458, steering is lightening quick, responsive and a joy to operate. With the V8 soundtrack emanating from the exhaust, it is an immersive experience to drive the Speciale A with the roof down.

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

The year 2014 also saw the launch of three most anticipated hybrid supercars or hypercars. Porsche was the first to unveil its contender. The Porsche 918 Spyder (went into production by end-2013) is the replacement for the Carrera GT. The naturally aspirated V10 of the GT would be sorely missed, but now is the time for electrically boosted supercars. The 918 is based around a carbon fiber monocoque and unlike its predecessor, it all-wheel drive. The 4.6-liter, 608 hp V8 sits in the middle and drives the rear wheels. Two electric motors with an combined output of 279 hp are connected to the front axle. Thus, all four wheels help transfer the 887 hp to the tarmac. Top speed is 210 mph and 0-62 mph is over in just 2.6 sec. It also has an all-electric mode wherein the 918 can run for 12 miles without burning a single drop of fuel.

Mclaren P1 GTR

McLaren P1 GTR

Mclaren first showcased the concept P1 back in 2012. By the end of 2013, all 375 units were sold out. This year, Mclaren launched the P1 GTR- a track-only race car based on the hybrid Mclaren P1 and high on steroids. The P1 has been the result of meticulous design and engineering by the scientists at Mclaren. The shape of the car has been perfected in the wind tunnel and the P1 GTR takes it a step further. A large, fixed rear wing replaces the active spoiler and the body is shaped to cheat air and create downforce. The engine may be the same 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, but in the GTR it generates 986 bhp or simply 1000 PS. Sadly, the Mclaren P1 GTR will only be available to current P1 owners under the P1 GTR program and Mclaren Special Operations.

Ferrari LaFerrari FXXK

Ferrari LaFerrari FXX K

The LaFerrari was the last among the trio of hybrid supercars that were launched. Despite its weird name, the LaFerrari has conquered the hearts and minds of those who have driven the latest flagship supercar from Maranello. Atmospheric 6.3-liter V12 with 786 hp and a hybrid system that ups the output to 950 hp, couple that to enormous grip levels and precise handling, the LaFerrari is a true successor the legendary Enzo. Now, Ferrari has also released the track-only version called the LaFerrari FXXK. Again, the name. I’m not sure if that’s Ferrari humor, but whatever the logic behind the name, the FXXK is a monster. A monster than can be tamed if you have the balls to do so. Power is rated at 1035 hp. There’s loads of F1-tech crammed into its sculpted body. Like the P1 GTR, ownership of the FXXK is only possible through invitation. FYI, it costs $2.5 million.

Koenigsegg One:1

Koenigsegg One:1

The Swedish are an ambitious lot, apparently. They are also really very good at making supercars, as has been proved to us by Koenigsegg. The makers of the Agera and the true rival to the Bugatti Veyron, the company unveiled a new supercar during the 2014 Geneva motor show. It is called the Koenigsegg One:1. It is the first production supercar to produce 1 megawatt of power and has a power-to-weight ratio of 1 PS per kilogram. The twin-turbocharged V8 engine makes 1360 PS (1341 hp) and the car weighs just 1360 kg. Hence, Koenigsegg likes to call it “world’s first megacar”. Top speed is 281.5 mph or 453 kph.