Speed Week has come to an end here at HotCars, and we've been reveling in all the velocity, horsepower, and pure driving euphoria. To bring this exciting content series to an end, we asked our team: If you could own just one ultimate speed machine, what would it be? The answers are pretty diverse, because everyone has their own idea of the perfect speed demon of course. As with every person in our team, every pick is fast, wild, and unforgettable. We have some awesome fast cars on this list, with everything from raw V8 screamers to carbon-fiber supercar legends. So, here it is - our dream fast cars we’d trade our souls for. Welcome to Speed Week! This article is part of our adrenaline-fueled Speed Week Content Series, where we bring you the most thrilling, mind-blowing, and downright fastest stories in the automotive world. All week long, we’re diving headfirst into the world of speed—featuring record-breakers, supercar legends, and machines that redefine velocity. Buckle up and enjoy the ride! Lexus LFA Via: LexusThe Lexus LFA is one of the greatest underdog supercars ever built. A symphony of engineering precision and emotional performance, its 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V10 revs to a stratospheric 9,000 rpm with the shriek of a Formula One car. Wrapped in a carbon-fiber body and packed with tech ahead of its time, the LFA was Lexus's love letter to speed—and a rare one at that, with only 500 ever made.I would buy the Lexus LFA for many obvious reasons, but the main one is the engine. The sound of the 4.8-liter V10 is often described as "the roar of an angel,” and that’s really all I need in life. Not to mention the classic Lexus style and 553 horsepower, the LFA is all anyone really needs in life for maximum fun.Amanda Cline, Hotcars McLaren F1 McLarenThe McLaren F1 is the ultimate analog hypercar—a legend forged in carbon fiber, gold foil, and engineering wizardry. Designed by Gordon Murray, the F1 features a central driving position and a BMW-built V12 that howls like a beast. It was the fastest production car in the world for over a decade and remains the holy grail of collectible supercars.If money was no object, I'd go with a McLaren F1, with the rev limiter removed as on the record breaker. 240 miles per hour with a naturally aspirated V12 screaming beyond the redline has to be marvelous.William Lewis, HotCars 2014–2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT JeepWhile others picked low-slung exotics, Michael Febbo wants a muscle-bound SUV that eats sports cars for breakfast. The Grand Cherokee SRT is the stealth bomber of speed machines—packing a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 under a utilitarian skin. It’s got room for groceries, dogs, and kids, but it’ll still launch to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Call it the sleeper’s weapon of choice.The best way to go fast on public roads is by being invisible, and there’s no stealth like an SUV. The SRT Jeep is comfortable, stable at speed, and it’ll double the speed limit on all but one small stretch of highway in Texas. I’m a European sports sedan guy through and through, but I also want to keep my license so I can get to and from track days.Michael Febbo, HotCars Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato LamborghiniThe Huracán Sterrato is Lamborghini gone rogue—in the best way. It’s a lifted, dirt-flinging version of the Huracán built to go fast anywhere. Gray Van Dyke’s pick combines rally-ready spirit with supercar aggression, making it the most outrageous way to experience speed off the beaten path. This V10 howler doesn’t care if the road is paved because this raging bull just wants to go.One vehicle? Easy— the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato. On or off-road, this Italian would offer more than enough power than I’d know what to do with. Slap a tent on top of the roof and you’ve got a country-crossing supercar offering high-speed thrills at every turn.Gray Van Dyke, HotCars Ariel Atom 500 V8 Via: ArielBuilt like a scalpel and lighter than your average compact car, the Ariel Atom 500 V8 is a stripped-down, open-wheel missile. Weighing just over 1,200 pounds and delivering 500 horsepower from a screaming 3.0L V8, this thing hits 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds. Magdan’s pick is pure adrenaline—no roof, no doors, no mercy.In a world filled with 1000-hp Teslas, the ultimate speed machine shouldn't just be fast on paper — it needs to feel fast too. That's why my go-to choice is a 500-hp go-kart that shouldn't have any business driving on public roads. The Atom 500 completely disregards any safety or driver aids. It relies on the thrills of a 1200-lb open-top body with a 10,600-rpm naturally aspirated V8 screaming just inches behind the driver. And with a 2.3-second 0-60 mph time, only a handful of cars can even hope to keep up.Magdan Daniel Cvitesic, HotCars Our list proves that when it comes to speed, there's no one-size-fits-all. It's all about pure passion. From precision-tuned exotics to raw, unfiltered performance beasts, our dream machines reflect who we are as drivers: thrill-seekers, purists, rebels, and adventurers. Whether it's tearing up the Autobahn, flinging dirt through the desert, or just blasting through a backroad, these are the cars we'd risk it all to drive.So now it’s your turn— if you only had one choice, what’s your ultimate speed machine?2011 Lexus LFA Rear Three Quarter
