Fast Without Excuses: 11 Factory Cars With Quarter-Mile in 10 Seconds Or Less
Car Culture

Fast Without Excuses: 11 Factory Cars With Quarter-Mile in 10 Seconds Or Less

There was a time when a sub-10-second quarter mile required deep mechanical knowledge, aftermarket upgrades, and a strong tolerance for unreliability. That era is officially over. Modern engineering has made extreme acceleration almost routine. Today’s fastest factory cars arrive fully engineered, street-legal, and capable of acceleration that once belonged exclusively to race cars. From muscle cars to electric sedans and exotic hypercars, let’s explore the 11 factory cars capable of reaching the quarter mile in 10 seconds or less!

2013-2016 Ferrari LaFerrari (9.7 seconds)

The LaFerrari marks a watershed moment for Ferrari. It was the brand's first hybrid hypercar, with a naturally aspirated 6.3L V12 and an electric motor based on Formula One technology. The result was instant torque combined with constant high-RPM power. Despite its emphasis on track performance and aerodynamic economy, the LaFerrari's straight-line speed is unrivaled. A 9.7-second quarter mile puts it among the fastest factory cars of its time, demonstrating that hybridization might improve Ferrari's performance DNA.

 

2013-2016 Ferrari LaFerrari

2013-2015 McLaren P1 (9.8 seconds)

McLaren took a unique approach to the hybrid hypercar formula. The P1 emphasizes lightweight construction, advanced aerodynamics, and seamless power delivery. The P1's twin-turbo V8 is paired with an electric motor to deliver immediate response at any speed. While its quarter-mile time of 9.8 seconds is slightly behind some rivals, the P1’s strength lies in how effortlessly it delivers that performance. The car feels engineered rather than aggressive, showcasing McLaren’s philosophy of controlled, repeatable speed.

 

2013-2015 McLaren P1

2019-2024 Ferrari SF90 Stradale (9.6 seconds)

The SF90 Stradale signifies Ferrari's transition to the modern hybrid era. With a twin-turbo V8 and three electric motors, it produces approximately 1,000 horsepower while remaining extremely drivable. This arrangement enables the SF90 to launch with authority, covering the quarter mile in 9.6 seconds. It's a clear example of how electrification has evolved into a performance multiplier rather than a tradeoff, particularly when combined with Ferrari's chassis and drivetrain expertise.

 

2019-2024 Ferrari SF90 Stradale

2021-2025 Tesla Model S Plaid (9.23 seconds)

The Tesla Model S Plaid changed the conversation around performance sedans. With three electric motors and instant torque available from zero RPM, it delivers brutal acceleration with almost no drama. Running the quarter mile in approximately 9.23 seconds, the Model S Plaid outpaces many traditional supercars while offering seating for five and everyday usability. It’s a reminder that electric vehicles aren’t just efficient; they are fundamentally fast.

 

2021-2025 Tesla Model S Plaid

2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport (9.1 seconds)

Bugatti doesn’t chase numbers lightly. The Chiron Super Sport is built for sustained high-speed performance, yet its straight-line acceleration remains astonishing. Powered by a quad-turbocharged W16 engine producing immense torque, the car moves with deceptive ease. A 9.1-second quarter mile from a vehicle of this size and refinement highlights Bugatti’s unmatched engineering depth. It’s speed without chaos, effortless, controlled, and endlessly confident.

 

2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 (8.91 seconds)

The Demon 170 is unapologetically focused on one thing: drag racing. Built to run on E85 fuel, it delivers an outrageous level of power straight from the factory. With a certified quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds, the Demon 170 pushes internal combustion to its absolute limit. It’s raw, aggressive, and proudly impractical, an end-of-an-era muscle car built to dominate the strip.

 

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach (9.2 seconds)

Porsche’s Weissach package strips weight and sharpens focus, and the Taycan Turbo GT is the most extreme electric expression of that philosophy. Advanced thermal management and repeatable launch performance allow it to deliver consistent acceleration. Clocking the quarter mile in around 9.2 seconds, the Taycan Turbo GT proves that EV performance can be both precise and durable, two traits Porsche is known for.

 

2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach

2025 Lucid Air Sapphire (8.95 seconds)

Lucid entered the performance conversation quietly, then dropped a bomb. The Air Sapphire blends luxury-car refinement with hypercar-level acceleration, thanks to a tri-motor electric setup producing massive output. An 8.95-second quarter mile places the Sapphire among the quickest production sedans ever built. What makes it remarkable is how composed and comfortable it remains while delivering that speed.

 

2025 Lucid Air Sapphire

2025 Ferrari 296 Speciale (9.5 seconds)

The 296 Speciale refines Ferrari’s V6 hybrid platform with reduced weight, sharper tuning, and improved aerodynamics. While it may not chase outright numbers like some rivals, its acceleration remains deeply impressive. A 9.5-second quarter mile reflects Ferrari’s focus on balance, quick launches, strong mid-range power, and a chassis that feels alive rather than overwhelming.

 

2025 Ferrari 296 Speciale

2025 Rimac Nevera R (7.9 seconds)

The Rimac Nevera R sits in a league of its own. Utilizing four electric motors with advanced torque vectoring, it delivers instant and precisely controlled power to each wheel. A staggering 7.9-second quarter mile makes it one of the fastest production cars ever built. More importantly, it showcases what’s possible when electric performance is engineered without compromise.

 

2025 Rimac Nevera R

2026 Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1 (9.6 seconds)

The 2026 C8 ZR1 continues Corvette’s tradition of delivering supercar performance at a fraction of the expected price. With turbocharged power and a mid-engine layout, it’s designed to maximize traction and acceleration. Estimated quarter-mile times of around 9.6 seconds place it firmly among the elite, reinforcing the Corvette’s reputation as one of the best performance values in the world.

 

2026 Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1