For over three decades, Bugatti has set the performance standard for straight-line velocity, from the quad-turbo EB110 in 1991 to the 304-mph Chiron Super Sport 300+. However, a select group of boutique hypercar manufacturers and electric vehicle pioneers have successfully outstripped Molsheim’s benchmark speed machines.
This performance breakdown details four production and prototype hypercars that surpassed legendary Bugatti models on closed courses and public roads. Covering technical specifications, validated radar runs, and engineering feats, this overview highlights how automakers like BYD, Koenigsegg, SSC, and McLaren claimed velocity records across gas and electric powertrains.
| Model | Powertrain Spec | Proven Top Speed | Bugatti Record Surpassed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yangwang U9 Xtreme | Quad-Motor EV (3,000+ PS) | 308.4 mph (496.22 km/h) | Chiron Super Sport 300+ (304.77 mph) |
| SSC Tuatara | 5.9L Twin-Turbo V8 (1,750 hp) | 282.9 mph (Two-Way Avg) | Veyron Super Sport (267.8 mph) |
| Koenigsegg Agera RS | 5.0L Twin-Turbo V8 (1,360 hp) | 277.87 mph (Two-Way Avg) | Veyron Super Sport (267.8 mph) |
| McLaren F1 | 6.1L Atmospheric V12 (618 hp) | 240.1 mph | Bugatti EB110 (218.0 mph) |
1. Yangwang U9 Xtreme: The 308-MPH Electric Disruptor
Bugatti held absolute top-speed dominance for most of the modern era, but an electric hypercar from China eventually shattered its highest mark. In September 2025, BYD took the Yangwang U9 Xtreme to Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit, where endurance driver Marc Basseng reached a staggering 308.4 mph (496.22 km/h).
The U9 Xtreme relies on four electric motors that spin up to 30,000 rpm, pushing total power beyond 3,000 PS. Operating on a high-voltage 1,200-volt architecture, the vehicle eclipsed the Chiron Super Sport 300+’s 304.773 mph prototype benchmark. Production is capped at just 30 units worldwide, none of which are slated for North American distribution.
2. SSC Tuatara: Verified 282.9 MPH American V8 Run
SSC North America faced early scrutiny after an initial speed attempt in October 2020 revealed video telemetry mismatches. To clear all doubts, the team regrouped on January 17, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center’s former Space Shuttle runway in Florida with owner Larry Caplin behind the wheel.
Equipped with four independent GPS tracking setups, the 1,750-horsepower twin-turbo V8 machine recorded a northbound and southbound two-way average of 282.9 mph. This verified run comfortably beat the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport’s long-standing 267.8 mph benchmark, with a later single-direction pass even reaching 295 mph.
3. Koenigsegg Agera RS: Public Road World Record Holder
On November 4, 2017, Koenigsegg shut down an 11-mile section of Nevada Highway 160 with state authorization to conduct a sanction-approved speed trial. Factory driver Niklas Lilja clocked an initial pass of 271.2 mph and a return run of 284.6 mph, monitored directly by Racelogic hardware.
The resulting two-way average of 277.87 mph (446.97 km/h) officially surpassed the Veyron Super Sport’s 267.8 mph figure. Powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 developing 1,360 hp and 1,011 lb-ft of torque, the Agera RS maintains its status as the undefeated speed record holder for a street-legal production car on a public highway.
4. McLaren F1: The Naturally Aspirated Pioneer
Bugatti’s modern velocity story began in September 1991 when the quad-turbo EB110 hit 218 mph on the Champs-Élysées. That reign came to an end in 1998 when the legendary McLaren F1 hit the test track to rewrite high-speed history.
Driven purely by a naturally aspirated 6.1-liter V12 engine, the McLaren F1 achieved 240.1 mph without forced induction. By taking the top-speed crown away from the EB110, McLaren proved that hypercar hierarchy is constantly shifting as engineering boundaries evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest electric car that beat Bugatti’s top speed record?
The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached a top speed of 308.4 mph (496.22 km/h) at Papenburg, Germany, in September 2025. This single-direction pass surpassed the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ benchmark of 304.773 mph.
Which production hypercar holds the top-speed record on a public road?
The Koenigsegg Agera RS holds the verified public road top-speed record with a two-way average of 277.87 mph. The record was set on November 4, 2017, along a closed stretch of Nevada Highway 160.
How fast did the SSC Tuatara run to officially beat the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport?
During its certified testing at the Kennedy Space Center on January 17, 2021, the SSC Tuatara achieved a verified two-way average speed of 282.9 mph, easily outpacing the Veyron Super Sport’s 267.8 mph record.