10 FAST CARS WITH 500 HP

When comparing cars and the various statistics related to them - horsepower, 0-60 mph times, torque, or engine capacity - it can be easy to view each piece of data as a game of Top Trumps, whereby cars are compared in various categories to determine which one outclasses the other.

Originally a horsepower figure achieved only by some of the most expensive cars on the market, 500 horsepower in today's market of new and used cars is slowly becoming a fairly common sight. There are plenty of options available today to enter the 500-hp club, even slightly below or above for any budget or preference in body style. In addition, achieving 500 hp is possible in more ways now than just purely via internal combustion engines. With the rise of hybrid and electric powertrains, more cars can achieve this horsepower milestone than ever before.

But before we explore 10 exciting cars, new and used, that can produce in the region of 500 hp, let's discuss what this amount of power translates to in terms of performance.

How quick is a car with 500 HP?

The vast majority of cars with 500 hp are dedicated sports cars or the highest-performance versions of the sedans or coupes they're based on. Most cars with this amount of power can comfortably hit 60 mph in under five seconds, and those with more favorable power-to-weight ratios or the benefit of all-wheel-drive systems - enabling maximum traction - can do it in under four seconds. It's safe to say that any model producing 500 hp is a high-performance model.

BMW M5 (E60) - 500 HP

One of the most legendary German performance sedans from the 2000s era - when the ‘horsepower wars' were in full flow - BMW set the benchmark high with the introduction of the E60-generation BMW M5. Notably, this M5 featured a 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V10 engine, an engine primarily reserved for high-end supercars or Formula One cars of the time. To this day, it remains the only generation of the M5 to be powered by a V10 engine. The V10 engine could push out a rated 500 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in approximately 4.5 seconds.

A five-door estate model, the E61-generation M5 Touring was also available. The SMG III semi-automatic gearbox served as the primary transmission option, but for the North American market, the M5 could feature a desirable six-speed manual gearbox.

Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe - 503 HP

The latest generation C63 AMG is very powerful despite using a four-cylinder engine, but as many AMG fans discuss, nothing beats the noise and power delivery of the preceding C63 AMG models. One example is the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, featuring a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine pushing out 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All the power from the V8, handbuilt by Affalterbach's dedicated team of craftspeople, goes to the rear wheels. But most of all, the C63 S's V8 carries the aggressive, dramatic exhaust note many expect of an AMG.

The F1-inspired four-cylinder engine utilized by the current C63 AMG model is a technological showcase and is a good case study that, even with downsizing, power output is not sacrificed. But for long-time AMG fans, nothing beats the association of a loud V8 soundtrack when it comes to a C-Class AMG.

BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe - 536 HP

The electric equivalent to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, the i4 Gran Coupe offers a great balance between an upmarket luxury BMW sedan with the thrills of a high-performance electric car. The i4 M50 is one of the first fully-electric performance model to come from BMW M's division, showcasing how the spirit of 'M Power' will continue in the future of electrified power. The i4 M50 Gran Coupe delivers 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque from its dual electric motors, and the 0-60 mph run takes just 3.7 seconds. The dual all-electric motor powertrain of the i4 M50 also provides the added grip and stability of all-wheel drive as standard.

Worried BMW's M Division may struggle to continue as electrification trickles down into the entire Bavarian range? The i4 M50 demonstrates enthusiasts can still get their 'M-Power' fix in this new, emerging generation of vehicles.

Lexus LC 500 - 471 HP

Lexus's top-of-the-range two-door coupe, the LC 500 is an underrated V8 grand-tourer that delivers excellent performance and gorgeous styling. Powered by a classic Lexus V8 engine, the LC 500 can push out 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the LC will comfortably get from 0-60 mph in around 4.4 seconds.

The LC has an exceptionally eye-catching design and the V8 sounds fantastic, yet it combines these attributes with the high standard of build quality and reliability expected from any Lexus. It's not the most powerful vehicle at its price point, but it's one of the most desirable.

Audi SQ8 - 500 HP

Fast, powerful coupe-SUVs are in great demand in the current market, and Audi’s SQ8 hits the mark perfectly by entering the 500-hp club. The SQ8 features a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, producing 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. In Audi tradition, the power goes to all four corners via the brand's quattro AWD system.

If you prefer your midsize Audi SUV with electric power, there is also the SQ8 e-tron, with nearly as much horsepower as the internal combustion-powered model. The SQ8 e-tron serves as the performance model of the Q8 e-tron EV, producing 496 hp thanks to three electric motors instead of a twin-turbocharged V8.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - 505 HP

Many German sports sedans are capable of reaching 500 hp, but for those who are looking for an equivalent from a different country, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (QV) is a perfect candidate. Carrying the distinct four-leaf clover of Alfa Romeo's high-performance division, the Giulia QV has a 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 behind the iconic Alfa Romeo triangular center grille - it produces 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The Giulia QV completed the 0-60 mph run in just 3.8 seconds. Besides its superb straight-line performance, the QV's communicative steering and agility make it one of the best sports sedans to drive along a twisty road.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia QV is an exciting alternative to the usual German brigade, from its impressive performance numbers to its striking styling.

Jaguar XKR Coupe (2009-2014) - 510 HP

The Jaguar XKR has been out of production for at least ten years now, before it - and the rest of the XK range - was replaced by the F-Type. However, you can find a few XKR Coupes on the used market, and since many have suffered considerable depreciation, they're much cheaper to buy today.

Power comes from a familiar Jaguar engine - a 5.0L AJ-series supercharged V8 that produces 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, with all the power sent to the rear wheels via a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. The Jaguar can reach 0-60 mph in approximately 4.0 seconds. The revised model released from 2009 onwards also benefits from a few additional updates to the exterior and interior, including a redesigned gear selector (JaguarDrive Selector that replaces the old 'J-Gate' automatic transmission shift gate), and updated front bumper and headlight designs.

BMW M550i xDrive - 523 HP

Another option from the BMW range, the M550i xDrive is a midsize executive sedan that can also deliver impressive performance, without the need of stepping up to a BMW M5. Serving as the top-spec model of the G30-generation 5-Series, power comes in the form of a 4.4L twin-turbocharged BMW V8, pushing out 523 hp. Despite not being a full-fat M car, the 0-60 mph run is completed in a mere 3.6 seconds.

There is no M550i option for the new-generation 5 Series, making this sleeper V8 sedan one to cherish. It may not match an M5 on the track, but it combines blistering power with excellent comfort like few other sedans.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged (L494) - 503 HP

The 500-hp club is not solely limited to sedans or coupes. 500 hp can also prove useful in a car capable of going off-road, such as the likes of the Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged (L494).

The second-generation Range Rover Sport Supercharged began sales in 2013, continuing the predecessor's aim of offering a more 'sportier' Range Rover option for buyers, with none of the usual luxury and off-road abilities of a standard Range Rover lost. Power also comes from the same engine mentioned earlier in the Jaguar XKR - sharing the same Jaguar's AJ-series supercharged V8, with the unit in the Range Rover pushing out 510 hp. Combined with a redesigned aluminum body, the Range Rover Sport Supercharged was even lighter, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds. With the usual Land Rover offroad technologies such as Terrain Response Control carried over, the Range Rover Sport could utilize all 510 hp through all four wheels, no matter what terrain or surface.

Acura ZDX Type S - 500 HP

The Acura ZDX's previous incarnation was a radically-styled, coupe-crossover SUV sold as part of the Acura lineup from 2009 to 2013. The original ZDX's launch was poorly timed in hindsight - just too early before the coupe-SUV market began to take off, and at a time when much of the automotive industry was still struggling to regain traction following the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

For the 2024 model year, the ZDX model name returns to serve as Acura's first all-electric car. The design continues to be striking, with a sleek, aerodynamic side profile and body. While the Acura ZDX shares components with a non-Japanese model, specifically the same 102-kWh battery used in the Cadillac Lyriq, the Acura stands out with unique features inside and out. These include the 'Jewel Eye' LED headlights shared with other Acura family members, vibrant exterior color choices, and a streamlined interior to match the bold exterior styling, to name a few.

The quickest model available in the ZDX lineup will be the Type S, capable of producing roughly 500 hp, thanks to a dual electric motor setup; this should be enough for a 0-60 mph time of under five seconds. The ZDX Type S also receives performance-enhancing features, such as Brembo front brakes with six-piston calipers, as well as adaptive dampers.

2024-04-28T01:47:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd