Hybrid cars were once seen as the symbol of the anti-car enthusiast — boring, dreary boxes that just wanted to take away all the fun from motoring.
Fortunately, that’s not the case, and manufacturers have proven there’s a place in the world for fast, electrified vehicles. Some of the greatest cars in the last few years have been hybrid, and we’ve come up with 10 of the fastest on sale.
McLaren P1
The first hypercar to come from Woking since the legendary F1, the McLaren P1 had a lot to live up to when it launched in 2013 — and it didn’t disappoint.
Now carved as a legend in its own right, the hybrid P1 is renowned for its race-car like handling and mind-boggling speed. It can reach a velocity of 217mph.
Ferrari LaFerrari
The first hybrid to come out of Maranello definitely does not fit the usual electrified conventions.
The electric motor is paired to a massive 6.3-litre V12 engine and, unlike the McLaren, there is no way to use the Italian on just electricity — with the motor there purely for speed. Ferrari claims “it can exceed 217mph”.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche’s most extreme car to date features some of the most advanced hybrid technology on the market.
Unlike the P1 and LaFerrari, the German-built machine is also a plug-in hybrid and can even manage 12 miles of pure electric range. Despite the more eco-focus, the 918 is no slouch — hitting a top speed of 210mph.
Mercedes-AMG Project One
Revealed by Mercedes-Benz earlier this year, the Project One will feature a hybrid drivetrain from the brand’s successful Formula One outfit when it goes into production in 2019.
As the car doesn’t yet exist beyond a prototype, full specs have not been confirmed, but expect a top speed in excess of 220mph.
Aston Martin Valkyrie
Aston Martin’s first full-blown road-going hypercar — developed in conjunction with Red Bull Racing — is set to be one of the fastest things to wear a licence plate when it arrives in 2018.
It sports a 6.5-litre V12 engine paired to an electric motor, combining to develop 1,130bhp. No performance numbers have been released yet, but Aston says it will be the fastest street-legal car to date.
Honda NSX
The rebirth of a legendary name, the new Honda NSX is something rather different to its 90s-legendary predecessor.
It features a turbocharged mid-mounted V6 engine paired to three electric motors, in total producing 573bhp. Top speed is claimed at 191mph.
BMW i8
Although it seems to have been around a while now, the BMW i8 is still one of the most impressive hybrid vehicles on the market today.
Recently updated, the i8 has a three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a hybrid system, good for a total of 374bhp. Top speed is limited to 155mph, but 0-60mph comes in an impressive 4.0-seconds. A Spyder version is soon coming, too.
Lexus LC500h
Lexus’ new flagship vehicle showcases perfectly the manufacturer’s impressive hybrid technology.
Wrapped in futuristic styling is a 3.5-litre V6 paired to a hybrid setup and mated to an unconventional CVT gearbox, with steps between each gear to create a more engaging drive. Top speed is limited to 155mph, but the LC500h can hit 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds.
Volvo XC90 T8
A hybrid SUV may not traditionally strike you as exciting or fast, but the Volvo XC90 T8 breaks the mould.
The hybrid setup — combining of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor — produces 395bhp which can take the car from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds and up to 140mph — no mean feat from such a large vehicle.
Infiniti Q50S
Infiniti may not be well-known in the UK, but that doesn’t mean its vehicles aren’t impressive.
The Q50S is a strong example of the Nissan-owned manufacturer at its best. The all-wheel-drive saloon is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 paired to an electric motor, which can take the car from 0-60mph in a mere 4.9 seconds and up to an electronically limited speed of 155mph.