The 100 Most Powerful Cars of All Time

"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 555 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."

We originally ran this story less than nine months ago and it is already hopelessly, wildly out of date. The old guard topped out at 544 horsepower, but now we're looking at a minimum rating of 555 hp.

With this freshly updated list of the most powerful cars of all time, fan favorites like the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, 2005 Ford GT, 2001 Pagani Zonda, Lexus LFA, Porsche Panamera Turbo S and the mighty Nissan GT-R fell to progress. As good as they are, they simply don't make the cut anymore.

We've also addressed some inconsistencies with tuner/manufacturers (you'll notice 9ff has made the list) and, finally, removed all homologation specials from the list. We love them, but one-off racecar clones with zero streetability have no business on this list.

As before, if we missed any worthy machines, make your case. We'll be updating this list until the horsepower war is over or the earth runs out of petroleum. — Mike Magrath, Features Editor

100. 2010 BMW X5 M — 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm: 4.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, twin turbo. 500 pound-feet 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.

99. 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.

98. 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.

97. 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.

96. 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.

95. 2013 Audi RS 6 Avant — 560 hp at 6,700 rpm: Let's start this by saying that no, we will not see this hi-po hauler in the U.S. Ever. Too bad, too, as the twin-turbo V8 is rated at 560 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It looks great and does zero to 60 in under 4 seconds. If this doesn't give Americans wagon envy, nothing will.

94-92. (Tie) 2013 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.

94-92. (Tie) 2013 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.

94-92. 2013 BMW M6 Grand Coupe — 560 hp at 6,000 rpm: The 2013 BMW M6 Grand Coupe uses the same 4.4-liter DOHC, 32-valve, 560-hp V8 as in the cars above, but in a much, much prettier body.

91. 2014 Audi RS 7 — 560 hp at 5,700 rpm: Audi dropped this slope-backed stunner at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show and we were smitten before it announced that it would have a 560-hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The RS 7 makes 553 lb-ft of torque at a lazy 1,750 rpm and can sprint to 60 in under 4 seconds. Top speed: 189 mph.

90. 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera — 562 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.

89. 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia — 562 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.

88. 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition — 562 hp at 8,900 rpm: The Lexus LFA and its magical 4.8-liter V10 would've been eliminated from this list entirely. Fifty lucky LFAs get the Nurburgring package with 562 horsepower and a host of suspension and aero upgrades. It lapped its eponymous racetrack in 7:14.

87. 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.

86. 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.

85-84. (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.

85-84. (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.

83. 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish — 565 horsepower @ 6,750 rpm: Aston Martin doesn't mess around with its power plants. There's no forced induction or direct injection or hybrid assist. There's just a big, 5.9-liter V12 with a relatively low 6,800-rpm redline and a relatively high 565 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. It finishes the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds at 115.1 mph and makes some of the best noises in the world.

82. 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.

81. 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.

80. 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.

79. 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Model — 577 hp at 5,500 rpm: Mercedes-Benz softened the hit of mandatory all-wheel drive by announcing that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Model would get 577 hp from its 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. The S Model adds boost and fuel for this increased output. Mercedes claims a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds from a car that still looks like a respectable family sedan.

78. 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.

77. 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT — 583 hp @ 6,800 rpm: The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is dead. Long live the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT. The naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 lives on, but instead of making a paltry 563 hp, it now makes 583 hp. There's no difference, however, in practical performance, as the 2013 SLS AMG GT Roadster made near identical numbers on the track. With 583 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, however, it gains about 10 places on our list of the most powerful cars of all time.

76. 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.

75. 2005 Pagani Zonda F — 594 hp at 7,000 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. Improved intake performance improves output of the AMG V12. The "F" is for Fangio.

74-73. (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.

74-73. (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.

72. 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.

71. 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.

70. 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.

69-66. (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.

69-66. (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.

69-66. (Tie) 2006 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.

69-66. (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.

65. 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.

64. 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.

63. 2013 McLaren MP4-12C — 616 hp @ 7,500 rpm: The 2012 McLaren MP4-12C was no slouch. It sits at #76 on this list and ran an 11-flat at 131.5 mph. But along with a transmission reprogramming, the 2013 McLaren MP4-12C got a bonus power bump. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 now makes 616 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque at 3,000-7,000 rpm. McLaren says this new version will clear the quarter-mile at 136 mph and top out at 207 mph.

62-61 (Tie): 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed — 616 hp at 6,000 rpm: As the driver's ultra-luxury grand tourer, the Bentley Continental GT has set a high bar. And the 2013 Continental GT Speed just upped it by a few feet. The 6.0-liter W12 has been tuned to produce 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The GT Speed tops out at 205 mph and will hit your bank account for a minimum of $215,000.

62-61 (Tie): 2014 Bentley Flying Spur — 616 hp at 6,000 rpm: Don't mess with a good thing when you've got it. Bentley takes the same 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 from the Continental GT Speed and dumps it in the all-new four-door Flying Spur.

60. 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.

59. 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.

58. 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.

57. 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.

56. 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.

55-53. (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.

55-53. (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.

55-53. (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.

52. 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.

51. Rolls-Royce Wraith — 624 hp at 5,600 rpm: With a 624-hp 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12, the Wraith is the most powerful car ever produced by Rolls-Royce. RR claims a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds, and with 590 lb-ft of torque available at just 1,500 rpm we think that'll come with a super-size side of wheelspin.

50. 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.

49. 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.

48. 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.

47. 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.

46. 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.

45. 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.

44-43. (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.

44-43. (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?

42. 2006 Pagani Zonda F Roadster — 641 hp at 6,200 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 575 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. More intake and exhaust tweaks improve output of the AMG V12, then Pagani removed the roof. The "F" is still for Fangio.

41. 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.

40. 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.

39. 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.

38. 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.

37. 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.

36. 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 Murcie was lightened by 220 pounds. Its top speed is about 212 mph.

35. 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.

34. 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.

33. 2010 Pagani Zonda Cinque — 669 hp at 7,000 rpm: 7.3-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12. 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, and then they went and built 5 Cinque Roadsters, too.

32. 2011 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.

31. McLaren F1 LM — 680 hp at 7,800 rpm: The opposite of a homologation special, the McLaren F1 LM was designed to celebrate the F1's victory in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. A total of five were built (plus the prototype pictured), each with a race-worthy 6.1-liter V12 making 680 hp at 7,800 rpm. The F1 LM weighs less than the "normal" McLaren F1 and has race-developed aerodynamics, which limits the top speed to only 225 mph. Easily one of the coolest and most sought-after cars of all time.

30. 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 — 690 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.

29. 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.

28. 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.

27. 2012 Pagani Huayra — 730 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.

26. 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive — 740 hp: The only pure electric on the list is, unsurprisingly, the only electric car by Mercedes' AMG division. The SLS AMG Electric Drive puts its 740 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque to the ground through four electric motors: one in each wheel. The SLS AMG Electric Drive is good for 155 miles of range, can manage zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds and can be all yours in the fall of 2013 for about $500,000.

25. Lamborghini Veneno — 740 hp: Lamborghini is only making three examples of the Veneno, but calling it the most powerful production car the company has ever built, so we're running with it. The Veneno will cost its three owners $4 million and for that, they get an Aventador-sourced 6.5-liter V12 good for 740 hp. Even with all of those wings, the Veneno is said to top out at 221 mph.

24. 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.

23. 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.

22. 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.

21. 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.

20. 2013 Gumpert Apollo S — 750 hp at 6,000 rpm: Last time we heard from Gumpert, it had entered bankruptcy and the Apollo looked doomed. But then, at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the 2013 Gumpert Apollo S showed up in a slick matte red paint job. Gumpert also quietly announced that the 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 now produces 750 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 happens in 2.9 seconds en route to a 224-mph top speed.

19. Porsche 918 Spyder — 795 hp: Porsche's 918 Spyder was the first million-dollar-hybrid supercar to the party and, with only 795 hp, falls below its main rivals, the McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari on this list. Five hundred eighty of those horses and 368 lb-ft of torque come from the 4.6-liter V8. Include the electric motors and the 918's total output is 795 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm. Unlike the Ferrari and McLaren, however, the Porsche puts this power to the ground through all four wheels.

18. 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.

17. 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.

16. Spania GTA Spano — 900 hp at 6,300 rpm: The Spania GTA Spano is a paradox. The bodywork is futuristic and stealthy. The chassis is a titanium, carbon-fiber and kevlar honeycomb monocoque and the bodywork is all carbon fiber. But instead of some ultra-high-tech power plant, Spania shoehorns a supercharged Viper-sourced 8.4-liter V10 into the carbon-fiber bay. It makes 900 hp at 6,300 rpm and 738 lb-ft of electronically limited torque.

15. McLaren P1 — 903 hp: The long-awaited successor to the legendary McLaren F1 arrived at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show with a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V8 and a battery pack and electric motor. On its lonesome, the V8 makes 730 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. Add in the electronics and the McLaren P1 makes 903 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. McLaren estimates a Nurburgring lap time of under 7 minutes.

14. Ferrari LaFerrari — 950 hp: Ferrari's first production hybrid is also the most powerful hybrid on the list. Its naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V12 is rated at 789 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. And while the LaFerrari would be #19 on this list with just this, Ferrari bolsters it with a HY-KERS electric powertrain that kicks the power to 950 and the torque to 664. It's the fastest production Ferrari of all time and it's a hybrid. Welcome to the future.

13. 2013 Koenigsegg Agera — 960 hp at 7,100 rpm: The base car in the Koenigsegg fleet cracks the top 15 most powerful cars of all time. Its 5.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 cranks out 960 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque from 2,700 rpm. Koenigsegg says this motor in the carbon-fiber body is good for 261 mph.

12. 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.

11. 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.

10. 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.

9. 2013 Koenigsegg Agera S — 1,030 hp at 7,100 rpm: This is quickly becoming a list of the most powerful Koenigseggs of all time. Like the Agera above and Agera R below, the 2013 S gets a 5.0-liter, dry-sump, flex-fuel-capable V8 with twin turbos. Torque is rated at 738 lb-ft at 2,700 rpm.

8. 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.

7. 9ff GT9-R — 1,120 hp at 6,400 rpm: Surely if John Hennessey's hyper-modified Lotus Elise/Exige counts, so does the 9ff GT9-R. 9ff starts with a basic 911, stretches it to allow for a proper midengine layout and then drops in a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 good for 1,120 hp. Top speed: 260 mph.

6. 2011 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? Neither have we.

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 (which is No. 10 on the list with 1,001 hp) 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 to increase to an incredible 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. Ultimately not as fast as the more aerodynamic Super Sport, but the open cockpit makes it the ultimate ballermobile for cruising Beverly Hills.

2. 2013 Hennessey Venom GT — 1,244 hp at 6,600 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 1,244-hp version of the Corvette ZR1's engine with the structure of a Lotus Elise or Exige. Theoretical top speed is 278 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 Edmunds 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.