Speed Kings

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari is simply the best. They have everything you want in a supercar. The car has a wake-you-up performance,leech-like grip and easily accessible rear wheel drive handling that allows you to throw the car around. This crazy V8 screams up to 9,000rpm,the engine makes a huge 570bhp and 0-100 takes only 3.3 seconds. Ferraris always connect with the driver on an emotional level the sound,the way the controls work making the cars feel alive. The 458 is probably the best V8 Ferrari ever,a guaranteed future classic. Make sure you opt for the front lifter that raises the car a few mm ,despite the fact that it costs Rs 4.12 lakh. Rs 2.65 cr ex-showroom Delhi

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

This car has a scarcely believable top speed of 432kph. Its quad turbo 16-cylinder engine makes a crazy1183bhp and when you want to stop,the Bugatti deploys an airbrake so large,it looks like someone is trying to lift the roof off the car. More military grade weapon than performance car. This without a shadow of doubt,is the ultimate supercar. That it is also beautifully built on the inside,comprehensively equipped and even easy to drive at moderate speeds makes it something truly exceptional. But then so is the price. Rs 22.75 cr

Maserati Granturismo S 4.7

If you are looking for a more relaxed Ferrari that costs less,this is the car. Its 4.7 litre V8 is based on a Ferrari motor. The cars nose is impossibly handsome,and like any true- blue Italian,it has curves in all the right places. And the set-up of the car is good for Indian conditions too.

It is slightly softer and so more useable in India. The hydraulic steering has a meaty feel to it and with its almost perfect weight distribution,this GT car is fast,usable and very sexy,all at the same time. Rs 1.37 cr

Porsche 911 turbo

If you want maximum bang for your buck,dont ignore this car. It explodes off the blocks on turbo boost. The electronically controlled four-wheel drive system allows you to use every last fraction of grip and even though the engine is in the rear,this car drives like a mid-engine car. It has a new active engine mount that makes the ride very comfortable; ground clearance is manageable and the best part is that this is truly a supercar you can use every day. Rs 1.56 cr

Lamborghini Aventador

Lambos new-generation supercar sticks to the same basic but brutally effective formula. It has a massively powerful V12 motor placed between the driver and the rear axle. The car literally hugs the ground and it uses a four-wheel drive to put its massive power to the road. It looks a lot like a stealth fighter,the new V12 uses a racing car like dry-sump and even though there is no turbo,this motor makes almost 700 bhp. Other tech includes a carbon fibre tub to help it stay light,it weighs only 1,575kg. The performance,as a result,is insane. Add an aftermarket supercharger to the Lambo and this monster will eat a Veyron for breakfast. Rs 3.75 cr

Aston Martin Rapide

If you want to share your supercar experience with three of your closest mates or family,the Rapide is the car for you. Firstly there is genuine supercar performance here. The 6.0 litre V12 has a midrange so strong you actually hesitate to use all the power. The car steers with sublime precision and with brilliant interiors,you end up spending the first few minutes admiring the cabin. This is,however,not a full- fledged four-seater. The back seats provide a real over-the-shoulder supercar experience to passengers. Space is at a premium here. Rs 2.3 cr

This is the only car on the road that costs under a crore,and calling it a supercar is cheating a bit too. But this V8 powered driving machine blends everyday useability and searing pace so well,it would be a crime to leave it out. What you get for your money is a substantial 414bhp,stronger performance than a Porsche 911 Carrera S,and the ability to drive over almost any road. But it is not perfect. The steering has little real feel,it has an impractical range,and,at the end of the day,this car is based on a 3 Series. But no car here is more practical. It even has a boot. Rs 73 lakh ex-showroom Delhi

Audi R8

For Audi,launching the R8 was like making a century on debut,sorry make that a double century. A proper mid-engine car that makes some others on this list look odd,it has spot-on proportions. The detailing is to die for. Audis tech,quattro four-wheel drive,a direct injection V8 and a stiff,lightweight chassis,also give this car a unique lift. And for the price it gives good value; part of the reason why this car is so popular. Rs 1.17 cr

Bentley Continental GT

The new Conti may look familiar,but if you look closer, its all new. Every panel is different,it has a wider stance on the road. There is more grunt too. Not that the Twin turbo W12 was lacking in performance,but this more powerful 567bhp motor does make this beautiful sculpture really move. It has one of the finest interiors; it feels carved out of oak and chrome,and the front seats is exceptionally comfortable. Rs 1.9 cr

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

The gull wing doors may seem like this cars best party trick,but theres some real talent here. The AMG 6.3 litre V8 motor has a sledgehammer like mid-range. The SLS responds well to being muscled around and its appeal will last,not fade away. Think of it as a thoroughly engineered modern day muscle car,with up-to-the-minute technology,and you wont go wrong. Rs 2 cr

The writer is deputy editor,Autocar India