Supercar Blondie answers: what makes a car a supercar?

You’re probably familiar with the word ‘supercar’ – you might even have a favorite, but have you ever wondered what actually qualifies a car for being a supercar? Well, Supercar Blondie has the answers.

You may think that ‘supercar’ is simply another term for a sportscar, or the name given to an exotic vehicle from a high-end luxury marque.

But it’s actually a little bit more complicated than that.

So, read on for the Supercar Blondie guide to all things supercar.

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Introducing the Lamborghini Miura – the world’s first supercar

While you may think only modern vehicles fit the definition of a supercar, it’s actually the 1966 Lamborghini Miura that’s credited with being the very first.

When it was released, it was the fastest production car in the world thanks to its powerful V12 engine that could hit 0-97km/h (0-60mph) in seven seconds. 

In the intervening decades, the term supercar made its way into the mainstream but its definition was fairly loose. 

During the 1990s, a supercar was broadly defined as a two-seater vehicle that had at least an eight-cylinder engine, a beefy 400HP, and a top speed of more than 290km/h (180mph). 

Over time, that definition has changed, but what does it really mean to be a supercar in 2025?

What makes a car a ‘supercar’?

Representing some of the most stunning and performance-focused vehicles on the market, supercars really are in a league of their own.

From the McLaren Artura to the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Maserati MC20 to the Porsche 911 GT1, supercars are the sort of models most of us can only dream about owning.

But what is it about a car that makes it ‘super’? Well, it turns out it’s a bit complicated.

There is no clear-cut legal or performance-based definition of what makes a car a supercar, but essentially it’s a street-legal sports car with race-track-like power.

The term supercar is also linked to the pedigree and exclusivity of a car.

While there are lots of fast motors out there, to truly be classed as a supercar, the vehicle needs to have that little bit of extra sparkle – whether that comes from the exclusivity of the model or the heritage and prestige of its maker.

Take, for example, a BMW M3 – yes, it’s fast, yes it’s powerful, and, yes, BMW does have a solid reputation for creating top-spec cars – but you won’t hear it being called a supercar.

Because the BMW M3 – like many other fast, powerful production vehicles – is lacking that extra element of being exotic or exclusive.

But that’s not the only factor that matters

On the other side of that coin, simply being super-rare, exclusive, or exotic isn’t enough on its own to earn the name either.

This street-legal Chevy Camaro golf cart is rare and unusual, but no one is arguing that it’s a supercar, right?

To earn the classification, the vehicle in question must be fast and powerful, and rare and exclusive, yes – but it also has to exceed expectations in some way. 

Sitting behind the wheel of a supercar should make the driver feel all the emotions – in a way that hopping into your daily driver simply cannot do. 

This means the quality of the vehicle should be second to none – from the materials used to create it to the roar of the engine.

It’s supposed to be ‘super’ after all, right?

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