The 500-hp club

AUTOWEEK ^ | 5/30/2013 | Max Gilles

[jjotto]

Petrol heads, continue to rejoice: Car manufacturers have not ignored your cries for high-powered cars and trucks. Despite tightening emissions regulations and rising fuel costs, automakers are building an increasing number of vehicles putting out at least 500 horses.

Based on our research, there are over 80 cars sold in the United States that deliver these burnout-inducing numbers (not including tuners such as Mosler or Callaway). That's up about 10 cars from the list we did last year.

Each automaker takes its own approach to supplying adrenaline junkies with 500-plus hp, whether through massive turbochargers, supercharging, or just sticking to naturally aspirated goodness.

Cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG shun forced induction but can still churn out 563 hp of V8 power.

Then there are cars such as the Nissan GT-R that rely on turbochargers (two in that case) to produce an output of 545 hp from its 3.8-liter V6. The Bugatti Veyron uses four turbochargers to power its 16.4-liter W16 engine to produce 1,200 hp (for the Super Sport and Grand Sport Vitesse models).

Superchargers power up the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, which pumps out 638 hp from its 6.2-liter V8.

We're also seeing an increasing use of hybrid technology in high-powered supercars, with the forthcoming Porsche 918 Spyder and the Ferrari LaFerrari (not on sale yet) both producing over 850 hp using a combination of electric and gasoline-powered motivation.

Our list features not only cars, but trucks as well, some of which might do surprisingly well on the track. Manufacturers like BMW produce their X5M and X6M models, which both produce 555 hp from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. Land Rover also produces the supercharged Range Rover, which achieves 510 hp.

Then there are the hyperexotics, such as the Koenigsegg Agera and the Pagani Huayra (pronounced “why-ra”). The Agera reaches Bugatti territory, with its twin turbo 5.0-liter V8 producing an outrageous 1,140 hp. The Huayra, produces 700 hp from its AMG-sourced, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12.

Horsepower does come at a price, though: The cheapest member of the 500 club is the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, stickering at $54,350. For the other cars, you'll have to have even deeper pockets.

Below is our list of the notable production cars that arrive with 500 hp or more. They are organized by horsepower from least to greatest; you'll notice some manufacturers grouped together if they use same engine.

Bask in all of this list's high-powered glory and feel free to sound off below on which ones you want, or already have, in your garage.

500 Club...

[dragnet2]

Back then, the young people for the most part built the high end custom muscle cars...And it didn't cost them $60,000 or 200k+ for a freaking car...

In today's America, the con-men at the Stealerships love to take money from the old guys...They see um coming.....Few young people have that kind of money to blow...

It's now a senior citizen thing...

[jjotto]

Already got money on this!

[faithhopecharity]

that looks pretty nice, too....what is it?

[jjotto]

Jaguar F-type V8 S. Not 500 hp but close.

[TalBlack]

The stock 3.8 v6 in my FBird was 200 @the crank. Since I intend to keep the car till I croak I’ll rebuild the engine. With a cam, heads and exhaust It’ll hit 300 @ the crank pretty easily. Not bad for a six. The factory V8 was 300 @ the crank IFIRC. Not taking any bets on how long the trans will last after the upgrade...

[faithhopecharity]

Jaguar, eh?
well well well good for u!

(years and years ago, and I;m sure they fixed this by now, Jags would not start (or would go off enroute) due to krappy infamous Lucas Electics (which almost lost ww2 for UK).
also, they’d leak oil all over the place.
BUT they had the absolutely nicest interiors with all sorts of nice leather and wood... beautiful!!!!!!

I bet that by now, and after a stint with Ford, the new Jags have overcome their former problems? yours sure looks pretty . congrats!

[dragnet2]

Yep. Mid-50s on up seems to be the buyers for actually fast cars.

Every time I see some high end muscle car, hot rods etc, it's generally some guy who looks to be 80+ years old, just short of the grave yard..

Kinda scary actually.

The insurance for these old guys must be through the roof!

[jjotto]

Always the problem with horsepower mods. Tranny and brakes have to follow to make it not-so-tense.

[Fresh Wind]

I wonder how many of these glitzy toys are bought by ‘rat elites, who drive them everywhere except to “climate change” activist events.

Here's a bit of evidence...Algor's Family Maserati

[TalBlack]

“That’s about 500 crank.”

Is the loss that much? Because the build I referenced above came in @273 at the wheels. I figured maybe take off 35 or 40 Hp.

[redangus]

Hey I’m one of those feeble 60 something’s that would love to find a 66/67 GTO not to impress anyone just to enjoy myself. Until then I will just have to enjoy my 2004 Tahoe with it’s headers, true dual exhaust, cold air intake and computer chip. Some of us old feeble guys just like power and speed.

[Alaska Wolf]

the only ones ya see driving these sleds are feeble guys in the 80s

How many pro athletes, rock stars, entertainers and tech stars are in their 80s?

[dragnet2]

Oh yeah...Besides 80 year olds, Rocks stars and celebrities can afford them!

Good thinken woofie!

[TalBlack]

I’ve upped the brake calipers and rotors. They recommend a smaller converter and some corvette valve for the trans. I have no knowledge of the gear ratios 6 vs 8 cyl, they must be lower than the eight, could be a factor.

[Alaska Wolf]

You’re jealous and envious. Otherwise why do you care?

[nascarnation]

Wonder how long it’ll last...

They say you need to change the pistons (to forged) if you're going to consistently run over 6000 rpm. Hot Rod Mag took one of these, put a huge turbo on it, and kept cranking up the boost until they got over 1000 hp and it didn't blow the bottom end.

[nascarnation]

That’s way cool.
I love this hot rod stuff.
Have you seen the Motus bike?

It’s a V4 based on the LS.
http://www.motusmotorcycles.com/

[5thGenTexan]

(and for some, may be the first time they can afford, or are allowed to have, the muscle car they wanted when they were 16)

Reminds me of my youth. I was 16. She was a '57 Bel Air 2 door hard top with a ridiculous stroked 327 with so much cam it barely idled, dual quads, a Muncie 4 speed and the rear seat removed to make room for drag slicks tucked in sleeper style...sat level in a profile view, but over half the back view was rear tire.

I had the deal verbally done, until the current owner did a hard 3-4 shift in front of my house, lifting the front driver's side tire off the ground in front of my Dad (could lift both off the line & at 2-3).

That day's new vocabulary word: VETO.

[faithhopecharity]

yeah....
my dream muscle car turned into a 1961 Ford Falcon in reality

alas
alas
“youth is wasted on the young” (Geo. B. Shaw),
so now that nobody’s around to VETO my getting the car I want.......(even if I look silly driving a kid’s car at my age.... well....)

ZOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gay State Conservative]

Horse power sells cars...torque wins races.I had a BMW diesel,not much bigger (or heavier) than a Honda Accord,that put out 425 ft lbs of torque from 1700RPM to 3500RPM.Just brushing the accelerator pedal gave you the feeling that you had been shot out of a cannon.And it got 40mpg on the Interstate.

God I miss that car.