When we think of high-revving cars, we usually think of purpose-built machines like those seen in Formula 1, which can rev in excess of 20,000 RPM. Production cars, on the other hand, rarely see rev limits surpassing 7,000 RPM, with a few touching 9,000 RPM, like the Mazda RX-8’s rotary engine, for example. In short, it’s no easy task to get an internal combustion engine to rev high.

However, there are a few outliers that can, in fact, rev over 10,000 RPM. While they’re few and far between, they’ve managed to break a boundary that was seemingly only attainable if you were a racing driver. The following CarBuzz list aims to shed some light on the few production cars that can get their crankshafts to spin faster than 10,000 revolutions per minute.

5 Czinger 21C: 11,000 RPM

Model Specs

First on our list of high-revvers is the 21C, a tiny rocket ship produced by the small California-based company Czinger. Released in 2021, the 21C features a tiny 2.88-liter flat-plane-crank V8 which can produce 950 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. When combined with an electric motor, the 21C can suddenly produce 1,250 horsepower and an as-yet unknown amount of torque. There’s also a 1,350-horsepower version available.

As we mentioned previously, the little 2.88-liter twin-turbo uses a flat-plane crankshaft. One of the biggest advantages of a flat-plane crank is its ability to rev high and fast, increasing engine power but decreasing torque output. However, this configuration results in a rev limit of 11,000 RPM, something cars like the Honda Civic Type R could only dream of.

4 Mercedes-AMG ONE: 11,000 RPM

Model Specs

Next up is the Mercedes-AMG ONE, a special-edition car produced by the German automaker to prove that it is possible to put a current F1 engine in a road-legal car. Only 275 units are planned, and production began in late 2022. In its flat-bodied and angular shape, it reminds us of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. As of now, we’re unsure just how many have been made so far. However, production is still reportedly ongoing.

The motor featured in the AMG ONE is underwhelming at first. Once you read the 1,049-horsepower output from its 1.6-liter E-turbo hybrid powertrain, you can see why this is a special car for Mercedes-AMG. It features three electric motors and an electric turbocharger, which pushes the power up to that 1,049 number. Torque figures are unknown and, according to Mercedes-AMG, impossible to quantify due to the complexity of the powertrain. Regardless, the Mercerdes-AMG ONE can rev up to 11,000 RPM.

3 Aston Martin Valkyrie: 11,100 RPM

Model Specs

With a heroic name like Valkyrie, you know this Aston Martin’s going to be able to produce some seriously impressive specs. It’s been built in conjunction with the Red Bull F1 team to be a perfectly usable and comfortable road car that can also obliterate a track day with ease. That, and the Victorian-sounding 6.5-liter V12, make for a car that’s truly special.

The Valkyrie’s 6.5-liter V12 is connected to a hybrid system, which itself can produce 160 horses. Combined, the Valkyrie pushes out 1,160 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. This huge power allows it to achieve a near-1:1 power-to-weight ratio, something exceedingly rare in a road car. The Aston can also get from 0-60 MPH in 2.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 MPH. If you take it up to the ragged edge, you’ll be able to get the Valkyrie to rev up to 11,100 RPM.

2 Gordon Murray Automotive T.33: 11,100 RPM

Model Specs

The Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 has been unveiled, but its release date is sometime later this year. However, because only 100 units will be produced, most of us will never be able to sample its 4.0-liter V12 in person. Gordon Murray himself once worked for McLaren and is most famously known for being the man behind the iconic McLaren F1. That fact alone leads us to believe the upcoming T.33 will be nothing to shake a stick at.

At the T.33’s heart lies that 4.0-liter GMA-Cosworth V12. While it puts out a meager 333 lb-ft of torque, it can produce 607 horses, which is enough to propel the supercar from 0-60 MPH in an estimated 2.9 seconds, and to a top speed of 207 MPH. The V12 is also able to spin itself up to a maximum of 11,100 RPM.

1 Gordon Murray Automotive T.50: 12,100 RPM

Model Specs

The fastest-revving production car on sale in 2024 is the Gordon Murray T.50. Much like the T.33 we discussed previously, the T.50 will only be produced for a limited time, with only 100 units set to leave the factory. Again, that means most of us will never set foot inside a T.50, but we can surely marvel at its specs from afar.

The same 4.0-liter V12 is installed within the T.50 as the T.33, albeit with some tweaks and a bit more power at 654 horses and 344 lb-ft of torque. The T.50 also features a 48-volt fan that acts as an aerodynamic aid by sucking air from the rear of the car, creating more downforce to aid in cornering. The T.50 can manage 0-60 MPH in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 226 MPH, all the while managing a maximum RPM measurement of 12,100.