---
title: "A 1,035-HP McLaren Speedtail Is Fast, Even Compared to an F-35 Fighter Jet"
description: "Essential gearhead viewing."
date: "2020-04-28"
modified: "2020-04-28"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/33182/a-1035-hp-mclaren-speedtail-is-fast-even-compared-to-an-f-35-fighter-jet"
categories:
  - "McLaren News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Aviation"
  - "Coupe"
  - "mclaren"
  - "Speedtail"
  - "Supercar"
---

# A 1,035-HP McLaren Speedtail Is Fast, Even Compared to an F-35 Fighter Jet

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2020-04-28-at-9.28.45-AM.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Ever wondered whether the [$2.3 million McLaren Speedtail](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24476/meet-the-1035-hp-mclaren-speedtail-a-stunningly-weird-looking-250-mph-hybrid-hypercar.md>) is faster around an airfield than an F-35 fighter jet? Of course you have. Luckily, "racing a very fast car against another fast thing that is not a car" is a [*Top Gear*](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30830/elon-musk-calls-out-top-gear-over-tesla-model-s-porsche-taycan-drag-race-results.md>) staple and for the show's latest edition of the segment, Chris Harris raced a McLaren Speedtail against, you guessed it, an F-35B Lightning fighter jet on an empty airfield. In typical *Top Gear* fashion, the experiment isn't all that scientific or applicable to everyday life, but we'll be damned if it doesn't make fantastic television.

Fans of the Clarkson, Hammond, and May-rendition of the show will probably recall that the Speedtail isn't the first 1,000-horsepower hypercar to have been pitted against a fighter jet on British TV. Back in 2007, Hammond raced a [Bugatti Veyron](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31277/bugatti-veyron-basic-maintenance-can-cost-upwards-of-50000-a-year.md>) against a Eurofighter Typhoon in a there-and-back drag race which has since racked up over 37 million views on YouTube. For the sequel, both the car and jet will have several corners to contend with.

As a refresher, the [McLaren Speedtail](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29136/2-3m-mclaren-speedtail-hypercar-caught-driving-on-public-roads-outside-company-hq.md>) produces 1,035 hp from its 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 and hybrid electric motor. It gets from zero to 186 mph in 12.8 seconds and tops out at 250 mph, making it the fastest McLaren road car ever, [F1 included](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29647/mso-spent-3000-hours-impeccably-restoring-this-1997-mclaren-f1-to-factory-condition.md>). In profile, it also looks significantly fighter jet-inspired with its teardrop greenhouse and airplane wing-shaped body.

Here's how it fares against Lockheed Martin's stealth fighter.

https://youtube.com/embed/ROOeGPrC1Do

And in case you haven't watched it in a while, here's that classic clip of Hammond holding a similar competition 13 years ago.

https://youtube.com/embed/7NZ9X9A2efA

Enjoy!

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## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)

## More

- [Meet the 1,035-HP McLaren Speedtail, a Stunningly Weird-Looking, 250 MPH Hybrid Hypercar](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24476/meet-the-1035-hp-mclaren-speedtail-a-stunningly-weird-looking-250-mph-hybrid-hypercar.md>)
- [This McLaren Speedtail Paint Job Took 12 Weeks to Complete](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41855/this-mclaren-speedtail-paint-job-took-12-weeks-to-complete.md>)
- [McLaren Showcases Trio of Design Renderings for Speedtail Hypercar](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25711/mclaren-showcases-trio-of-design-renderings-for-speedtail-hypercar.md>)
- [This 194-Mile McLaren Speedtail Is Going to Sell for a Whole Lotta Money](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/43035/this-194-mile-mclaren-speedtail-is-going-to-sell-for-a-whole-lotta-money.md>)
- [The 250-MPH McLaren Speedtail’s Batteries Are Sealed in a Unique Oil to Keep Them Cool](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35443/the-250-mph-mclaren-speedtails-batteries-are-sealed-in-a-unique-oil-to-keep-them-cool.md>)
- [McLaren’s Three-Seat Hypercar Will Be Called the Speedtail](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/22389/mclarens-three-seat-hypercar-will-be-called-the-speedtail.md>)
- [First McLaren Speedtail Prototype Is Named ‘Albert.’ Yes, Albert](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24815/first-mclaren-speedtail-prototype-is-named-as-albert-yes-albert.md>)
- [$2.3M McLaren Speedtail Hypercar Caught Driving on Public Roads Outside Company HQ](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29136/2-3m-mclaren-speedtail-hypercar-caught-driving-on-public-roads-outside-company-hq.md>)