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The 100 Most Powerful Cars of All Time
Every Car Ever Made With at Least 544 HP

Forget Hemi 'Cudas, Boss 429s, Tri-Power Corvettes and every other muscle machine from the 1960s and '70s. None of them are powerful enough to make this list. Not. Even. Close.

Today is the golden age of automotive power. And the vehicles listed here have more horsepower than all the others through more than a century of automotive history. Incredibly, the weakest of the bunch packs 544 hp and the oldest hasn't even hit its 23rd birthday.

This list isn't based on opinion, but fact. Each machine's spot on the list was determined by its horsepower rating as claimed by its manufacturer. After months of research, we included every obscure supercar we could find, from Ascari to Zenvo, but we left out tuner machines and kit cars. This list is for "manufacturers" only.

Ties were broken, when possible, using peak torque ratings without reference to the engine speeds at which those numbers were achieved. That didn't eliminate all ties, however, as many vehicles were (or are) powered by identical engines. Go ahead and blame BMW's M division and Mercedes' AMG for that.

In the end we ended up with a list of the 100 most powerful cars and trucks from America, Europe and Japan. Hopefully we didn't miss any worthy machines. If we did, make your case.


100. 1996 Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion — 544 hp at 7,000 rpm: 3.1-liter, DOHC, 24-valve flat-6, twin turbo. 443 pound-feet at 4,250 rpm. Midengine supercar built to homologate the 911 GT1 for racing. The front of the car was based on the 993-series 911. The rest was a tube frame under carbon fiber.

99. 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG — 544 hp at 5,250 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 560 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. When your army is moving quickly across your vanquished enemy's territory, this bolt-upright off-roader has the power to stay ahead of it.

98. 2013 Nissan GT-R Premium — 545 hp at 6,400 rpm: 3.8-liter, DOHC, 24-valve V6, twin turbo. Nissan ups the GT-R ante for 2013 by adding another 15 hp to the car and fortifying it with new brakes and a recalibrated suspension.

97. 2001 Pagani Zonda S 7.3 — 547 hp at 7,000 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12, twin turbo. Pagani drops in the larger AMG-built V12 and calls it the Zonda S. Power and price increased as expected.

96. 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni — 550 hp at 8,000 rpm: 5.2-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V10. 397 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. The first two-wheel-drive version of the Gallardo is powered by a new version of the familiar V10. Would lead to subsequent Gallardo variants also rated at 550 hp.

95. 2005 Ford GT — 550 hp at 6,000 rpm: 5.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, supercharged. 500 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm. Ford resurrects the GT40 racecar as a larger, midengine supercar for the street. It's bold, brilliant, gorgeous and utterly fast.

94. 2012 Jaguar XKR-S — 550 hp at 6,000 rpm: 5.0-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, supercharged. 502 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. Jaguar beefs up the already healthy 510-hp XKR to supercar status. Thanks to a revised exhaust and fuel map, it's the fastest and most powerful Jag ever. It runs from zero to 60 in 3.6 seconds.

93. 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 — 550 hp at 6,500 rpm: 5.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, supercharged. 510 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. A new, all-aluminum version of Ford's supercharged 5.4-liter V8 is plugged into the GT500 Mustang. It's slightly more powerful and about 100 pounds lighter than before.

92. 2000 Saleen S7 — 550 hp at 6,500 rpm: 7.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8. 525 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Steve Saleen's ambitious S7 uses a 7.0-liter version of the Ford small-block V8 mounted midship. It's a beast even before you add the turbos.

91. 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG — 550 hp at 5,750 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 560 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. The AMG twin-turbo V8 finds yet another home, this time under the hood of Mercedes' mainstream SUV, although with a bit less torque. Still, the result is the fastest car at AYSO practice.


90-88. (Tie) 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG — 550 hp at 5,250 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 590 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. AMG's next-gen V8 drops to 5.5 liters and picks up two turbos. The result is 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of peak torque. Add the "Performance Pack" and output leaps to 550 hp.

90-88. (Tie) 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG — 550 hp at 5,250 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 590 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. The AMG twin-turbo V8 installed into the coupelike CLS four-door. It's the second generation of the CLS. "Power Pack" ups output to 550 hp.

90-88. (Tie) 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S — 550 hp at 6,000 rpm: 4.8-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 590 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. S version of Porsche's four-door gets a power shot with bigger turbochargers and enough thrust to run from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

87. 2012 Lexus LFA — 552 hp at 8,700 rpm: 4.8-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V10. 354 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. Lexus' highest-tech car spins its V10 all the way to 8,700 rpm to make peak power. With its 9,000-rpm redline, it's also the one car out of Japan that is a true exotic — and priced that way.

86-85. (Tie) 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur — 552 hp at 6,100 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve W12, twin turbo. 479 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. Four-door version of Bentley's "entry-level" Continental uses the unique W12 engine from its Audi cousin. The 479-lb-ft of torque is down at 1,600 rpm. Will take 4.8 seconds to get to 60 and does the quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds at 105 mph.

86-85. (Tie) 2006 Bentley Continental GT — 552 hp at 6,100 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve W12, twin turbo. 479 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. Two-door version of Bentley's "entry-level" all-wheel-drive Continental. Gets to 60 in 4.6 seconds on its way to 13.0 seconds at 106 mph for the quarter-mile.

84. 1992 Bugatti EB110 — 553 hp at 8,000 rpm: 3.5-liter, DOHC, 60-valve V12, quad turbo. Before the Veyron was the nearly-as-insane EB110. Its V12 used 60 valves, four cams, four turbos and a disdain for compromise. All done before VW bought the Bugatti name.

83-82. (Tie) 2010 BMW X5 M — 555 hp at 6,000 rpm: 4.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 500 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. BMW embraces turbocharging with the Motorsport division's first SUV. Backed by a six-speed automatic, this 5,368-pound, all-wheel-drive rhino will leap to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds at 108.5 mph.

83-82. (Tie) 2010 BMW X6 M — 555 hp at 6,000 rpm: 4.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 500 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. Brother to the X5 M, it's more stylish thanks to a sloping rear deck.

81. 2009 Cadillac CTS-V — 556 hp at 6,000 rpm: 6.2-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, supercharged. Cadillac brazenly stakes its claim to high performance with a CTS sedan that shares much of its supercharged LS-series V8 with the Corvette ZR1. Runs to 60 in 4.3 seconds and nails the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 115 mph. Later joined by coupe and wagon versions.


80. 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG — 557 hp at 5,500 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. Mercedes' new big roadster gets AMG's twin-turbo V8 making 530 horses and 590 lb-ft of peak torque. Add the "Power Pack" and the output goes up to 557 hp.

79. 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 — 560 hp at 8,000 rpm: 5.2-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V10. 397 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. Lamborghini revises its V10 to slam output up to 560 hp. The engine finds its way into several Gallardo models and special editions that we dare you to try and keep track of.

78. 2011 Audi R8 GT — 560 hp at 8,000 rpm: 5.2-liter, DOHC, 20-valve V10. 398 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. A lightweight version of the midengine, all-wheel-drive R8 powered by a version of the Lamborghini's V10. It's an Audi with a hard-core performance edge.

77-76. (Tie) 2012 BMW M5 — 560 hp at 6,000 rpm: 4.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 500 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. BMW reinvents the great M5 sedan around a new turbocharged V8. The 560 hp is routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels. BMW claims a 4.4-second blast from zero to 60 mph.

77-76. (Tie) 2012 BMW M6 — 560 hp at 6,000 rpm: 4.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 500 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. Essentially a two-door coupe or cabriolet version of the M5. At more than 2 tons it's not small, but it should be as quick and competent as the M5.

 

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75. 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG — 563 hp at 6,800 rpm: 6.2-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8. 479 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm. The rebirth of the classic "Gullwing" with power from AMG's finest normally aspirated V8. A car at least twice as good as the SLR McLaren it replaced.

74. 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost — 563 hp at 5,250 rpm: 6.6-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 575 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. The "small" Rolls-Royce sedan is, of course, truly enormous. But the BMW-built 6.6-liter V12 does an admirable job of hauling its bulk around.

73-72. (Tie) 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG — 563 hp at 5,250 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 664 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. AMG's new twin-turbo V8 in the size 46-long CL coupe. Made "just" 536 hp without the AMG Performance package. The car you want the lawyer handling your mergers to drive.

73-72. (Tie) 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG — 563 hp at 5,250 rpm: 5.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 664 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Big sedan also made "just" 536 hp without the AMG Performance package. A car that looks good next to a Boeing BBJ.

71. 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera — 570 hp at 8,000 rpm: 5.2-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V10. 397 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. A lightweight version of the all-wheel-drive Gallardo with its 5.2-liter V10 now making 570 hp. Lambo claims a 3.5-second 0-60 run.


70. 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia — 570 hp at 9,000 rpm: 4.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8. 398 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. A thrilling 9,000-rpm power peak indicates how Ferrari engineers its stalwart midengine V8s like race machines. The only transmission is an automated seven-speed manual.

69. 2009 Audi RS6 Sedan — 571 hp at 6,250 rpm: 5.0-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V10, twin turbo. Twin variable-vane IHI turbochargers boost Audi's V10 up to an insane 571 hp. Also available as an Avant wagon, which makes it even cooler.

68. 2001 Lamborghini Murcielago — 572 hp at 7,500 rpm: 6.2-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. The original Murcielago uses Lambo's well-proven V12 with a bump in displacement to 6.2 liters. It would only get more powerful as time goes on.

67. 2007 Caparo T1 — 575 hp at 10,000 rpm: 3.5-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8. The engine is based on the Infiniti V8 built for IndyCar racing. And it's in a single-seater built for track work and barely tamed for the street. As close to a street-legal F1 car as there has ever been.

66. 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — 580 hp at 6,000 rpm: 6.2-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, supercharged. A legendary name on a true American muscle car. The V8 is a variant of the engine used in the awesome Corvette ZR1.

65. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C — 592 hp at 7,000 rpm: 3.8-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. McLaren's first engine of its own features a dry sump, variable intake runners and variable valve timing. But it doesn't feature direct injection or variable-nozzle turbos. It goes from zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds, with the quarter-mile blazing by in 11.0 seconds at — gasp — 131.5 mph.

64. 2005 Pagani Zonda F — 594 hp at 7,000 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12, twin turbo. Improved intake performance improves output of the AMG V12. The "F" is for Fangio.

63-62. (Tie) 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed — 600 hp at 6,100 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve W12, twin turbo. 553 lb-ft at 1,700 rpm. Hot-rod version of the four-door version of Bentley's "entry-level" Continental. Still uses the unique W12 engine from its Audi cousin.

63-62. (Tie) 2009 Bentley Continental GT Speed — 600 hp at 6,100 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve W12, twin turbo. 553 lb-ft at 1,700 rpm. Hot-rod version of the two-door version of Bentley's "entry-level" all-wheel-drive Continental. Covers the quarter-mile deep in the 12s.

61. 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 — 600 hp at 6,100 rpm: 8.4-liter, OHV, 20-valve V10. 560 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. A modest increase in displacement to 8.4 liters along with repositioned fuel injectors, separate ignition coils for each spark plug, and other detail changes push the Viper V10 to six bills. Time and space tremble.


60. 1993 Bugatti EB110 Supersport — 603 hp at 8,250 rpm: 3.5-liter, DOHC, 60-valve V12, quad turbo. 479 lb-ft at 2,250 rpm. Lunacy in the form of an aluminum-body, midengine supercar. Revving the quad-turbo V12 a bit further and some other detail tweaks push the EB110 beyond 600 horses.

59. 2013 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG — 603 hp at 4,800 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 737 lb-ft at 2,300 rpm. It's the boxiest box anyone makes, with the AMG twin-turbo V12 pushing it to speeds no box should attain.

58-55. (Tie) 2006 Maybach 57S and 62S — 604 hp at 5,500 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Maybach introduces the "Special" versions of the 57 and 62 with more power from what is essentially the AMG 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12.

58-55. (Tie) 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG — 604 hp at 5,500 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. It's a roadster with the heart of a locomotive. Mercedes' three-valve V12 roars with an amazing 738 lb-ft of peak torque at only 2,000 rpm. Sprints through the quarter-mile in about 12.4 seconds.

58-55. (Tie) 2005 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG — 604 hp at 5,500 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. It's a big sedan with the heart of a locomotive. Mercedes' three-valve V12 roars with an amazing 738 lb-ft of peak torque at only 2,000 rpm.

58-55. (Tie) 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG — 604 hp at 5,500 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. It's a big coupe with the heart of a locomotive. Mercedes' three-valve V12 roars with an amazing 738 lb-ft of peak torque at only 2,000 rpm.

54. 2004 Porsche Carrera GT — 605 hp at 8,000 rpm: 5.7-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V10. A bold midengine supercar powered by Porsche's only V10 and its largest-displacement street engine ever. It's an engine that needs to rev, and it shrieks as it does. Rips from zero to 60 mph in about 3.3 seconds and tops out over 200 mph.

53. 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano — 611 hp at 7,600 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. It's basically the Enzo's V12 tuned for everyday driving. In the front-engine 599 it runs to an 8,200-rpm redline and has the paddle-shifted F1 gearbox. It runs zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.

52. 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR — 612 hp at 6,800 rpm: 6.9-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 568 lb-ft at 5,250 rpm. Mercedes built the midengine, mostly carbon-fiber CLK GTR for endurance racing, but needed street versions for homologation.

51. 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — 617 hp at 6,500 rpm: 5.5-liter, SOHC, 24-valve V8, supercharged. Mercedes and McLaren conspired to build this oddly shaped, front-engine two-seater. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission.

 

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50. 1992 McLaren F1 — 618 hp at 7,400 rpm: 6.1-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. BMW built the V12 that powered what many still consider the greatest road-going supercar of all time. BMW's VANOS variable-valve timing system, two fuel injectors per cylinder and a lightweight reciprocating assembly allowed for high engine speeds. Remove the rev limiter and it would go 242 mph.

49. 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS — 620 hp at 6,500 rpm: 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve flat-6. 516 lb-ft at 2,250 rpm. Variable-turbine geometry in the two turbos, dry-sump lubrication and advanced VarioCam variable camshaft technology produce the ultimate 997-Series Porsche. Only 500 were built.

48. 2011 Maybach 57S and 62S — 620 hp at 4,800 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Along with upgrades to the twin-turbo V12 in Mercedes models, so, too, does the output of the Maybach "S" V12 rise to 620 hp.

47. 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports — 621 hp at 6,000 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve W12, twin turbo. 590 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Upping the turbo boost and improved airflow to the intercoolers adds another 19 hp to the W12's output. That moves this 2.5-ton bomber to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 12.0 seconds at 116 mph.

46-44. (Tie) 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG — 621 hp at 4,800 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Direct injection helps Mercedes' monster V12 make more power at lower rpm than before.

46-44. (Tie) 2012 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG — 621 hp at 4,800 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Revised twin-turbo V12 now uses direct injection and massive air-to-liquid intercoolers. A brute in the skin of an EU diplomat.

46-44. (Tie) 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG — 621 hp at 4,800 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12. 738 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. The two-door version of Mercedes' big car equipped with the revised AMG twin-turbo V12. It represents inconspicuous consumption on a massive scale.

43. 2004 Maserati MC12 — 624 hp at 7,500 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. Under the Maserati skin beats the slightly detuned V12 heart of a Ferrari Enzo in the carbon-fiber chassis of...a stretched Ferrari Enzo. Street versions were built to homologate the car for FIA GT competition.

42. 2006 Ascari A10 — 625 hp at 7,500 rpm: 5.0-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8. 413 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. Tiny Ascari Cars in Britain builds this hypercar powered by a retuned version of the BMW 5.0-liter V8 once used in the M5 sedan and Z8 roadster. Ascari claims a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds and a 215-mph top speed.

41. 1990 Vector W8 — 625 hp at 5,700 rpm: 6.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, twin turbo. 630 lb-ft at 4,900 rpm. A mix of aerospace and hot-rodding technology that almost took off. The heart was a Rodeck aluminum version of the Chevy small-block blasted by two intercooled turbos. During testing, Vector claimed a W8 achieved a 248-mph top speed.


40. 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible ISR — 631 hp at 6,000 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12, twin turbo. 590 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. Ultimate hot-rod version of the hot-rod version of Bentley's iconic convertible gets 10 extra horses and other mods to celebrate a world ice speed record set by rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible. Only 100 were built.

39. 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 — 632 hp at 8,000 rpm: 6.5-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. Lambo increases the displacement of its classic V12 and swells the Murcielago to almost 640 hp to create the LP640.

38. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 — 638 hp at 6,500 rpm: 6.2-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, supercharged. Chevrolet exceeds itself with the most powerful Corvette ever. It's no secret the trick is the Roots-style blower heaving into the LS-series V8. Will run zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds and destroy the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds at 128.3 mph.

37. 2013 SRT Viper — 640 hp at 6,150 rpm: 8.4-liter, OHV, 20-valve V10. It isn't a Dodge anymore, but the engine is still a massive all-aluminum V10. New intake plenums, variable valve timing, revised heads and new forged pistons all help to increase output. Peak torque is 600 lb-ft at 4,950 rpm.

36-35. (Tie) 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP650-4 — 641 hp at 7,000 rpm: 6.5-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 486 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. All-wheel-drive Murcielago powered by a 6.5-liter version of Lambo's well-aged V12.

36-35. (Tie) 2008 Lamborghini Reventon — 641 hp at 8,000 rpm: 6.5-liter, DOHC, 48-valve, V12. 486 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. It's not much more than a rebodied Murcielago LP640, but the looks count for something. Don't they?

34. 2006 Pagani Zonda F Roadster — 641 hp at 6,200 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12, twin turbo. 575 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. More intake and exhaust tweaks improve output of the AMG V12, then they removed the roof. The "F" is still for Fangio.

33. 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 — 641 hp at 6,500 rpm: 5.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, supercharged. 605 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Modified engine management software ups output of the SLR's V8 by 24 horses. Only 150 of these were built featuring the famous "722" numbers from the 1955 Mille Miglia.

32. 2006 Gumpert Apollo — 641 hp at 6,000 rpm: 4.2-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 627 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. This tiny German company takes the Audi 4.2-liter V8 to absurd levels by the application of massive amounts of boost through a twin-turbo system.

31. 2010 Noble M600 — 650 hp at 6,800 rpm: 4.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. This English, midengine machine is powered by a Yamaha-built V8 engine designed for the Volvo XC90 crossover. But the Volvo didn't have twin turbos that pushed it up to 650 hp.


30. 2003 Ferrari Enzo — 651 hp at 7,800 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 485 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. An all-new V12 is developed for the first Ferrari good enough to be named after the company's founder. Backed by an F1 gearbox, it's almost a two-seat F1 car for the street. Would evolve into the FXX racecar.

29. 2012 Ferrari FF — 651 hp at 8,000 rpm: 6.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 504 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Ferrari builds an all-wheel-drive shooting brake to replace the 612 Scaglietti. It also gets a new 65-degree V12 with direct injection that, besides big horsepower, wallops out 504 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.

28. 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce — 661 hp at 6,500 rpm: 6.5-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 487 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. This is the ultimate version of the Murcielago. Produced even as its successor the Aventador was being finalized. This Murci was lightened by 220 pounds. Its top speed is about 212 mph.

27. 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series — 661 hp at 5,400 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 738 lb-ft at 2,200 rpm. The roof doesn't go down on this SL, but there's enough power aboard to blow it off. Reshaped wastegate ducts, oversize compressors and a more efficient intake system bump up output over the plain SL65 AMG.

26. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 — 662 hp at 6,500 rpm: 5.8-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, supercharged. The GT500 version of the Mustang gets a new, larger version of its blown V8 that's rated at a mind-boggling 662 hp. Ford claims it's the most powerful production V8 on Earth and the car can top 200 mph.

 

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25. 2010 Pagani Zonda Cinque — 669 hp at 7,000 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12, twin turbo. The Zonda R racecar is barely tamed to become the road-going Zonda Cinque. A new sequential six-speed gearbox is also used. Just five were to be built.

24. 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO — 671 hp at 8,250 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. A sharpened version of the 599 GTB Fiorano with the V12 tuned for high-end output instead of everyday flexibility. The lightened body makes this big car surprisingly nimble on the track.

23. 2007 Gumpert Apollo S — 690 hp at 6,700 rpm: 4.2-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. Working on the theory that every fast car needs an "S" version, Gumpert throws some more boost into the Audi V8 to force out an additional 49 horses beyond the regular Apollo.

22. 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 — 700 hp at 8,250 rpm: 6.5-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 507 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. Lambo's new flagship features the company's first all-new V12 since the '60s. Variable valve timing it has, but not direct injection. There's a dry-sump oiling system and short stroke to allow big revs. Lambo says zero to 60 takes 2.9 seconds.

21. 2012 Pagani Huayra — 700 hp at 6,300 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. 740 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. Successor to the Zonda, the midengine Huayra is all-new and features a version of the same Mercedes-Benz V12 used in the SL65 AMG Black Series.


20. 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport — 720 hp at 6,700 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. Expanding the CLK GTR's V12 to 7.3 liters brought a 108-hp bump in output. The AMG-built CLK GTR Super Sport was a barely tamed racecar, but the engine would go on to be installed in Pagani vehicles.

19. 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta — 730 hp at 8,000 rpm: 6.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 508 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. The two-seat F12 replaces the 599 GTB Fiorano and features a version of the same direct-injection V12 used in the FF. But it's amped to 730 hp and pumped to just the rear wheels. Ferrari says it's the company's fastest road car ever.

18. 1994 Dauer 962 LM — 730 hp at 7,400 rpm: 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve flat-6, twin turbo. 517 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. Street-going version of Porsche's incredible 962 IMSA endurance racer built for the purpose of homologating the 962 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the early '90s.

17. 2012 Pagani Huayra Sport — 730 hp at 6,300 rpm: 6.0-liter, SOHC, 36-valve V12, twin turbo. Because 700 hp is too little, Pagani is also offering the Huayra with a retuned version of its Mercedes V12 rated at 730 hp and an astonishing 811 lb-ft of peak torque.

16. 2012 Aston Martin One-77 — 750 hp at 8,000 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 553 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Aston swings big with a new flagship featuring the biggest engine it's ever built — enlargement surgery performed by Cosworth Engineering. The One-77 is wide, low, mean and only 77 will be built for about $2 million each.

15. 2005 Saleen S7 Turbo — 750 hp at 6,500 rpm: 7.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, twin turbo. 700 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. Saleen's ambitious S7 is overwhelmed with the addition of two turbos to increase output almost 50 percent. Few were made and it was notoriously fragile.

14. 2007 Ruf CTR3 — 750 hp at 7,100 rpm: 3.7-liter, DOHC, 24-valve flat-6, twin turbo. 708 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Ruf, long a master tuner of Porsches, builds its own midengine, tube-frame thriller with a highly tuned version of the 911 Turbo's flat-6 aboard for intimidation purposes. Ruf claims zero to 62 mph takes 3.2 seconds, and the car has a top speed of 236 mph.

13. 2013 HTT Pléthore LC-750 — 750 hp at 6,750 rpm: 7.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, supercharged. 813 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. This Canadian supercar is still in the prototype phase, but the people behind the Pléthore seem dedicated enough to make the machine a reality. A center-mounted driver seat sits amid two outer passenger seats like the original McLaren F1. The 2,750-pound LC-750 will offer a chassis made entirely of carbon fiber, hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and continue to a 247-mph top speed.

12. 2006 Koenigsegg CCX — 806 hp at 6,900 rpm: 4.7-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin superchargers. The Koenigsegg V8 is loosely based on the Ford DOHC V8 once used in the Mustang Cobra. Heavily modified and with two belt-driven superchargers, it whacks out more than 800 hp.

11. 1999 TVR Cerbera Speed 12 — 880 hp at 7,250 rpm: 7.7-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. Basically TVR stitches together two of its Speed 6 engines to create an incredible hulk. Plans were to put the Speed 12 into production, but only one was built.


10. 2005 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 — 1,001 hp at 6,000 rpm: 8.0-liter, DOHC, 64-valve W16, quad turbochargers. Everything is excessive about the all-wheel-drive midengine Veyron. VW wrote the checks that developed this overwhelming super-supercar. Top speed is 253.81 mph.

9. 2008 Koenigsegg CCXR — 1,004 hp at 6,900 rpm: 4.8-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin superchargers. Better ignition, a higher compression ratio and revised pulleys for the Rotrex superchargers boost the Koenigsegg V8 to an eye-popping 1,004 hp.

8. 2006 Bristol Fighter T — 1,012 hp at 5,600 rpm: 8.0-liter, OHV, 20-valve V10, twin turbo. Bristol shoves two turbos under the hood of its awkward-looking Fighter to just about double the output of its Viper-based V10. Beyond that big horsepower number, Bristol claims the Fighter produces 1,036 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,500 rpm.

7. 2007 Zenvo ST1 — 1,100 hp at 6,900 rpm: 7.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, turbocharged and supercharged. 1,054 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. Straight out of the tough back alleys of Denmark comes the midengine Zenvo ST1 powered by a supercharged and turbocharged version of the Corvette Z06's V8. The company claims zero to 62 mph takes 3.0 seconds and the car boasts a 233-mph top speed.

6. 2008 Koenigsegg Agera R — 1,140 hp at 7,100 rpm: 5.0-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin superchargers. The Koenigsegg V8 grows to 5.0 liters, spins a bit faster and now makes 1,140 hp.

5. 2004 Lotec Sirius — 1,200 hp at 6,300 rpm: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12, twin turbo. 974 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm. Lotec's high-tech midengine brute runs a version of the same Mercedes-made V12 that powers various Pagani Zonda models. Seen one? Us neither.

4-3. (Tie) 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport — 1,200 hp at 6,400 rpm: 8.0-liter, DOHC, 64-valve W16, quad turbochargers. 1,106 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. Thanks to turbos 10 percent bigger than in the regular Veyron and other tweaks, the Super Sport swells up to a full 1,200-metric hp (that's 1,184 in American horses). Aerodynamic tweaks allow a tested top speed of 267.856 mph.

4-3. (Tie) 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse — 1,200 hp at 6,400 rpm: 8.0-liter, DOHC, 64-valve W16, quad turbochargers. 1,106 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. Bugatti combines its open-top Grand Sport body with the 1,200-hp engine from its Veyron Super Sport. Creates the ultimate baller ballistic missile.

2. 2010 Hennessey Venom GT — 1,200 hp at 6,500 rpm: 6.2-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, twin turbos. 1,155 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm. Texan John Hennessey goes full lunatic by mating a 1,200-hp version of the Corvette ZR1's engine with the structure of a Lotus Exige. Theoretical top speed is 272 mph.

1. 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero — 1,287 hp at 6,075 rpm: 6.3-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, twin turbos. Shelby Supercars hasn't (as far as IL knows) made the Ultimate Aero available for media outlets to test or drive. But the company's claims of zero to 60 in under 2.8 seconds and a 257.41-mph tested top speed have earned it attention anyhow.

http://www.insideline.com/features/the-100-most-powerful-cars-of-all-time.html

Photo Gallery
http://www.insideline.com/features/photos/the-100-most-powerful-cars-of-all-time-gallery.html

 

[explicit__motion]

Great post! I just spent the last half an hour getting lost in this list! Time well spent though. Its not eveyday you would go searching for cars that have 500+ horsepower up to a 1000! My favorite is the Koenigsegg CCXR, not sure if ill be able to drive in this life time but i drive it every night in my dreams lol. Thanks for the post.

 

[Lopez]

LOL same here. Great list of cars. There are also a ton of pics on the link. Spent forever looking at them.

 

[Jx_boi88]

Great... to me its 100 powerful cars i'll probably never get a chance to drive. I never knew the exact numbers these cars had but damn. Lookin at the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT, holy smokes that a lot of ponies for a car that size. Amazing post though thanks.