America loves powerful cars. This love stretches back to the introduction of the automobile, and since this time, many have been searching to unlock ever higher horsepower and torque ratings. These insane hot rods would provide direction for auto manufacturers in the 60s and 70s who would shift to adding more power from the factory in an effort to edge out the competition.Though we are several decades removed from the muscle car heyday of the 60s and 70s, many modern cars shatter what was possible in terms of power, and the examples on this list are too powerful for their own good, in the best possible way! Many of the most potent push out more than 650 horsepower, which is purely academic. Nevertheless, the desire for cars that exceed the previous generation in every way will continue to drive ridiculous output. Additionally, the inclusion of electric motors and instant torque delivery looks to pave the way for more cars to crest the 1000 horsepower mark!
10 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The Corvette isn't the only super powerful car lurking in the lineup. The Chevrolet Camaro makes entering the sports car world affordable, but at the top end of the spectrum sits the $63,000 ZL1. With more power than many drivers would know what to do with, the 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of toque Chevrolet ZL1 embody that American muscle from the 60s.
Chevrolet is quite proficient at making sports cars, but the ZL1 isn't without complaints. Reviewers and drivers alike have commented how difficult the ZL1 is to see out off, despite the somewhat smooth ride. The adaptive suspension and heap of standard equipment make it a worthy buy!
9 Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody
The Hellcat emerged in 2015 as the Chrysler group was throwing the 6.2L Hemi into everything. For the Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody, that Hemi V8 is good enough for 717 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Starting out at $75,000 isn't too bad a deal either for the overpowered Charger.
In addition to the insane numbers pumping through the Charger Hellcat Widebody, it can hit 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds. To round out the incredible specs is the quarter-mile in 11.9 seconds and the top speed of 196 MPH.
8 Tesla Model S Plaid
Electric cars got a lot of hate when they first emerged. Now, every manufacturer is in a mad dash to outfit their lineup to catch up with the changing times. The Trailblazer during the early years was Tesla, and looking to keep its throne as the peak of American electric performances, it launched the Model S Plaid Performance model.
At peak power, the Tesla Model S Plaid Performance model generates an elementary 1020 horsepower. The Plaid generates this power from the same 100kW battery that is used in the extended range models. The Plaid model starts well over $100,000k but boasts a 0-60 in 2.3 seconds and a top speed of 200 MPH!
7 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500SE
The Shelby designation has been performance-based since the Shelby Cobra of the 1960s. That heritage emanates into the GT500SE, where modern embellishments add to the appeal. Ford's Mustang Shelby GT500SE generates more than 800 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque!
All that power comes from a supercharged 5.2L V8 engine. This ridiculously fast Mustang can hit 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds. Sitting at $73,500 brand new, the Mustang Shelby GT500SE isn't cheap, but when you're cruising at a top speed of 180 MPH, the price tag is far back in the rearview mirror.
6 Ford GT
The Ford GT is a modern reincarnation of the "Ferrari Fighting" GT40. The contemporary version features an insane 647 horsepower and 550 ft-lb of torque generated from the 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine, the same engine found within the Raptor!
Despite its modest engine, the Ford GT doesn't have a modest price. Starting at $500,000, the Ford GT is out of reach of virtually everyone, but the power sent to the wheels is more than most drivers would know what to do with.
5 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Being fast doesn't mean having to be stuffed into a coupe. Fast can be large, luxurious, and a Jeep? That's right, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is one of the fastest cars to come from America, and it isn't even a car!
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is fitted with the same 6.2L Hemi V8 that the Charger and Challenger have. Putting out 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque from this beast makes it one of the fastest SUVs on the market. It even outpaces Bentley and has AWD, plus you won't be paying Bentley prices at $87,400!
4 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Why stop at Hellcat when you can have SRT Demon? Well, that's what Dodge thought too, and went ahead and tuned up the 6.2L Hemi V8 to pump out 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque; Demon is an accurate descriptor for this American car!
Featuring more power than is healthy, the Challenger SRT Demon can hit 60 in less than 2.5 seconds and is a sub-10 second quarter-mile car. Those specs should make Dom Toretto smile, and though production ended, you can find one for well less than the $85,000 starting price it carried in 2018!
3 Dodge Viper
One doesn't think of V10 without the Viper coming to mind. In a category of cars too powerful for their own good, the Dodge Viper ACR stands among the fiercest competitors. Especially with the 8.4L V10 that pumps out 645 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque.
As late as 2017, Dodge was producing special edition Vipers that were selling like hotcakes. These ACR versions fetch a pretty penny, too, with many examples starting well over $150,000! The Dodge Viper ACR hits 60 in just 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of over 200 MPH. All that power couldn't save the Viper.
2 Cadillac CTS-V
The most satisfying fast cars are the ones that don't look fast yet make the sporty cars look silly! Cadillac took that to heart when producing the CTS-V. This amazingly unassuming vehicle sports the same LT4 engine found in the Camaro and Corvette. The LT4 engine is good for 640 horsepower in the CTS-V.
Starting at almost $90,000, you won't forget that it's a Cadillac for long. Despite the high price, the CTS-V can push a 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 200 MPH!
1 Hennessey Venom GT F5
At the top of the too powerful for its own good charts is the Hennessey Venom GT F5. The Venom GT F5 features a new refined 6.6L twin-turbocharged V8 good for an ungodly 1817 horsepower at 8,000 RPM. At that ridiculous power rating, the Venom GT can achieve 1,193 lb-ft of torque!
Unlike some other ridiculously high-powered American cars, the Hennessey Venom GT F5 only comes in small quantities. Only 24 examples exist, each priced at a staggering $1.8 million! But at that cost, you get a machine that is capable of 0-60 in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of a blistering 310 MPH!