FUTURE EXHIBITIONS
SUBJECT TO CHANGES
Super to Hypercars, Then & Now
Exhibition On View January 17 – May 10, 2026
Since the first widespread use of the term “supercar”, referencing the new mid-engine Lamborghini Miura in 1966, manufacturers have continued to develop exotic high-performance automobiles that deliver extreme speed, striking design, and advanced engineering beyond that of standard sports cars. In recent years, the term “hypercar” has been introduced, creating an even higher tier of automotive design and performance.
While supercars are often expensive, sought-after, high-performance vehicles, hypercars are often characterized as such by unique technology integrations and higher performance outputs. The Bugatti Veyron was the world’s first production hypercar; 1000 horsepower from a quad turbocharged sixteen-cylinder engine, a million-dollar price tag, and a top speed of over 250 MPH. These figures previously unseen, putting the Veyron in a class of its own.
The hypercar market has continued to grow since 2006, with companies like Bugatti and Koenigsegg leading the space. Hypercar performance has continued to grow, with horsepower figures commonly seen above 1500 now. The technologies seen in these cars continue to become more advanced, like the lightspeed transmission in the Koenigsegg Jesko. The nine-speed transmission has no clutch or flywheel, saving significant rotational mass and allowing the engine to rev more easily. Its unique technology like this that you won’t see in typical supercar.
In essence, while supercars are exceptionally fast and exclusive, hypercars are ultra-rare, technologically groundbreaking machines designed to redefine what is possible in road-going automobiles. We have gathered a number of our favorite super and hypercars for you to compare here with your own eyes. Which one are you taking for a drive?
BRITISH at its Best: Cars & Motorcycles from the Audrain Collections
Exhibition On View May 16 – September 13, 2026
BEST Shown: Winners from the Audrain Collections
Exhibition On View September 19, 2026 – January 10, 2027
STEAM Power: Stationary, Marine & the AUTOMOBILE
Exhibition On View January 16 – May 9, 2027
Steam-powered vehicles, boats, and stationary engines played a pivotal role in the early industrial revolution. The first successful steam-powered vehicle, the "Steam Wagon," was built in 1769 by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, though it had limited success. In the 19th century, steam engines became popular for automobiles, with innovators like Newport Engineering Works, Sylvester Roper, and Francis and Freelan Stanley contributing to advancements. In the later 19th Century steam continued to revolutionize marine transport by the likes of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff in Bristol RI. Stationary steam engines, developed in the early 1800s, were key in powering factories, mills, and pumps, helping drive industrialization before the rise of internal combustion engines. The Corliss Steam Engine Co. was one of many in Providence RI, a part of steam power’s New England history.