With all the troubles in the world, sometimes you just want to get away. And there’s no better way to leave your worries behind than to get behind the wheel of a fast car. Here’s a snapshot of 15 of the fastest cars available today with manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) under $300,000, listed from lowest to highest MSRP.
It’s interesting to note that in the top five under $100k, three of the least expensive are from Dodge, and the other two are from Chevrolet and Cadillac.
2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat SRT
Dodge Challenger Hellcat – The 707 horsepower rating for the Dodge Challenger Hellcat puts the family-friendly sports car in some rare territory. Not only does the car cost the least of the 15 fastest cars under $300k, it also does 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph. The bad news: FCA has stopped taking orders for the car since they can’t build them fast enough. MSRP: $64,195.
2016 Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT
Dodge Charger Hellcat – Like the Challenger Hellcat, the 5-passenger Dodge Charger Hellcat puts out 707 horsepower from the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine. Top speed is listed at 204 mph, but note that the car gets an estimated 22 mpg highway fuel economy. Seems incongruous, but it’s true. MSRP: $67,645.
2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – An American icon since 1954, the Chevrolet Corvette has long been synonymous with performance. In Z06 guise, the Corvette produces 650 horsepower, does 0-60 mph in about 3 seconds and has a top speed of 200+ mph. MSRP: $79,400.
2016 Cadillac CTS-V
Cadillac CTS-V – The aggressive stance of the equally sexy Cadillac CTS-V hints at the 640 horsepower from the luxury car’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The CTS-V does 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph. MSRP: $83,995.
2016 Dodge Viper-SRT
Dodge Viper SRT – The third vehicle from Dodge on this list is the 2016 Viper SRT, whose 645-horsepower handcrafted, all-aluminum 8.4-liter V10 engine catapults the car to 60 mph in 3 seconds. The Motor City never looked (or sounded) so good. Top speed in the Viper SRT is 200+ mph. MSRP: $89,995.
2016 Tesla Model S
Tesla Model S P90D – At 762 horsepower, the Tesla Model S P90D (with Ludicrous Speed option), is the highest horsepower vehicle (along with the Tesla Model X P90D) in the under $300k list. It is also the only mainstream luxury performance sedan (for now) powered solely by electricity. The Model S P90D has two electric motors, one each in the front and the rear and also boasts all-wheel drive. MSRP: $119,200.
2017 Tesla Model X
Tesla Model X P90D –Like the Model S P90D, the Tesla Model X P90D crossover SUV, with Ludicrous Speed option, cranks out 762 horsepower from its two independently controlled electric motors. The Model X P90D gets to 60 mph in about 3.2 seconds – making it one of the quickest SUVs on the market. MSRP: $125,500.
2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus
Audi R8 V10 Plus – The top of the Audi line, the 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus boasts 610 horsepower, 0-60 mph times of about 3 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. MSRP: $189,900.
Mercedes-AMG G65 SUV
Mercedes-AMG G65 – The first of three AMG models with highest horsepower (621 horsepower) and a starting price of less than $300k is the Mercedes-AMG G65 SUV. The hulking but capable G65’s Biturbo 6.0-liter V12 engine propels the car to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. MSRP: $217,900.
2017 Mercedes-AMG SL65
Mercedes-AMG SL65 – Also at 621 horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter AMG V12 is the Mercedes-AMG SL65. With a top speed of over 186 mph, the SL65 gets to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. MSRP: $219,850.
Mercedes-AMG S65
Mercedes-AMG S65 – Its hand-built, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 is enough for 621 horsepower in the Mercedes-AMG S65 sedan. The luxury performance car does 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. MSRP: $224,650.
2016 Lamborghini Huracan Coupe LP610-4
Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 – No doubt there’s an elegance to the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 that belies the 610-horsepower 5.2-liter normally-aspirated V10 engine lurking beneath the hood. With its 7-speed dual-clutch tranny, the sports car reaches 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 202 mph. MSRP: $238,500.
2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Convertible
Ferrari 488GTB Convertible – The head-turning Ferrari 488GTB convertible pounds the pavement with 660 horsepower coming from its 3.9-liter turbocharged V8. The roadster does 60 mph in under 3 seconds and has a top speed of 205 mph. MSRP: $245,400.
017 Bentley Continental GT Speed
Bentley Continental GT Speed – Opulence aside, the Bentley Continental GT Speed lives up to its name with 626 horsepower from its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine coupled with close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission. The GT Speed does 60 mph in 4 seconds. MSRP: $263,400.
McClaren 650S Spider
McLaren 650S Spider – The final car on the fastest under $300k list is also the most expensive: the 641-horsepower McLaren 650S Spider. With its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, the 650S Spider does 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph. MSRP: $280,225.
- Ferrari GTC4LUSSO – 680 horsepower, 6.3-liter V12. MSRP: about $300,000.
- Rolls-Royce Wraith – 624 horsepower, 6.6-liter turbocharged V12. MSRP: $304,350.
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta – 731 horsepower, 6.3-liter V12. MSRP: $319,995.
- McLaren 67SLT – 666 horsepower, 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8. MSRP: $353,600.
